2009 - A Year in Review

On January 1, 2009, I declared that this year would be "The Year of Awesome" and it really has been amazing and unbelievable. I believe sometime in the spring I renamed 2009 to be "The Year of the Flight" since I was fortunate enough to go on various flights and roadtrips. I've been to Washington D.C., Kansas City, Flint, New Orleans, and Richmond. I've traveled more this year than any other year of my life and I've loved every mile. Of course, it was exhausting and my husband was relieved to hear that I don't want to go anywhere for awhile (packing for another roadtrip as I type, hah). This next short roadtrip will be a nice ending to my year of the flight.

Also in 2009, I was fortunate enough to: spend lots of time with relatives in other states, catch up with old friends on various social networking sites, watch my daughter grow and learn and experience life, attend school (finished my first year, huzzah!), celebrate the 5th year of marriage with my husband, make art and take some great photographs, learn more about myself, see a few great concerts (Ryan Adams and the Cardinals*, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Hope Sandoval, to name a few), paint two sets for plays, paint plenty of windows, get a dog, have my art published, dance dance dance the night away several times, spread myself too thin and be responsible enough to recognize it and finally say "no", etc. etc. etc.

In 2009, I do believe I have become closer to being the person I've always wanted to be. The person who wants to learn about everything, who says "yes" and "no", who makes time for themselves, who makes time for family and friends, who makes things happen, who takes chances and accepts challenges, and also accepts that there are some things that one cannot change. I have lots of work to do before I'm exactly who I need/want to become, but that's the beauty of life, right? To always strive to be the best person you think/want to be. Yes.

I have currently dubbed 2010 to be "The Year of the Art" because, face it, I need to make more art and I need to work on my skills. I've got more details on that coming later. Keep your eyes peeled.

Everyone have a beautiful and safe New Years.

* Just tonight I found out about the death of Chris Feinstein, the bassist for Ryan Adams and the Cardinals. I'm very saddened by the news. I remember spotting him hanging outside of the Fox Theatre after the last RA and the Cardinals show in Atlanta. I didn't stop to say hi because I was too much of a wuss. I'm not one to have regrets about anything but this I do regret. It's always the things you wish you could've done, right?