Reflections on 2010

Going full throttle until the last day of school and then immediately entering into break was a rough transition for me. I experienced what I like to call a "whip-lash" effect. All of a sudden, I didn't know what to do with myself and I became hyper aware of everything around me. Hence, my post title of "Reflections on 2010." As I look back on this year it has been full of extreme highs and lows. For example, some of the highs were getting married and getting my first job. Some of the lows were looking for a job, starting my job (haha...oh, the irony), and making friends. Unfortunately, between the lows and highs I have experienced a lot of anxiety and the Lord has challenged me to clench on tightly to Him.

I was having a rough day this past week. So what did I do? I called my sister, of course! She is always great for advice/peace of mind/laughter. She ended up reading a chapter out of Shauna Niequist's book, "Bittersweet" out loud to me on the phone for about 10 minutes. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and decided I would buy one of her books for some good reading material before Matt and I left for Buffalo. The next day, I was getting my hair done and noticed that my hair dresser had a little quote on her mirror that read something like...

"Life is both bitter and sweet. When life is bitter, thank God and grow.

When life is sweet, thank God and celebrate."

I asked my hairdresser if that quote was from Shauna Niequist's book, and it was!

I love when God speaks to me in obvious ways. It was not an answer to my worries or anxieties but it was all I needed to keep me going and know that God was listening. Cool, huh? I picked up another one of Niequist's book, "Cold Tangerines," and read it in a few days. I was hooked. Here is a part that I especially liked....

"Everything is interim. Everything is a path or preparation for the next thing, and we never know what the next thing is....I want to arrive. I want to get wherever I'm going and stay there. That's why I was such a ferocious planner of my life. But I'm learning to just keep moving, keep walking, keep taking teeny tiny steps. And it's in those teeny tiny steps and moments that I become, actually, who I am. We won't arrive. But we can become. And that's the most hopeful thing I can think of. "

So, here I come 2011, with no plans. Ready to give up my planner and see the beauty in the interim of my life. I am scared, but really, what do I have to lose?

December

This month has been quite busy and tiring! I am officially on Christmas Break, and could not be more happy. The last day of school before break might have been the most stressful day of teaching of my career so far. Now I can recover for the next two weeks...which is a reminder of why I love my job. Speaking of work, Matt and I went to my first work, Christmas party. Can you say "awkward"? Considering the fact that I really do get along well with my co-workers, it was quite surprising how awkward the party still was! I think what made the event so awkward for me was that you are supposed to be relaxed and socialize while remaining professional...since socializing in big groups does not come naturally to me in the first place (which I am desperately trying to work on), you can imagine how difficult this situation was for me. Anyhow, after talking to my sister, apparently this is quite normal...phew!!

In other news, the other weekend our friends Brendan and Ellen were in town (who recently moved to Iowa) and we celebrated our friend, Strider's birthday. It was really fun reuniting with our friends. I forgot how good it feels to laugh with good friends! Still praying for some more that live close by :) Here is a re-cap from the night:

an intense game of celebrity...we really enjoyed impersonating Kim Kardashian

Brendan & Ellen

the gang

This is from our school field trip to "Feed My Starving Children". We packaged food for starving kids around the world. Like my hair net?

like father like son....Matt's Dad was in town the other weekend. We enjoyed our Sunday drinking Starbucks, eating Christmas cookies, watching football, and surfing the web (as you can see in the picture haha)

Thanksgiving

We enjoyed Thanksgiving with my family :) Christmas will be with Matt's family. Splitting up the holidays between our families is a first for us. Luckily, with my teaching job, I have a long break and will have some time to visit my family after Christmas!

Thanks Mom for a great meal! mmmm...mooching off the rentals never gets old!

(for us, at least;)

The host and hostess

Cutie. (above and below)

Natalie showing off her nails below.

It was also my 23rd b-day on Thanksgiving. My mom made an awesome cake. Turning 23 is pretty uneventful. Yet another year of feeling way older than I actually am. I guess it's a good thing? I am looking forward to not being the youngest someday. I wonder if that is possible. Hmmm...lots to ponder in my 24th year! :)