Reflection Time

The year is coming to a close and what better way to end the year than with a post reminiscing about the good, bad, and the in between that happened this year in my life.


As a disclaimer, I don't want to dwell on all the terrible things, so when I get to the bad I am going to try to keep it as brief as possible even if at this point in my life I might think they outweigh the good.


To begin my birthday was amazing! January 31st was a wonderful day, crisp weather, high spirits! I had a gorgeous dinner with gorgeous friends and my lovely brother! I couldn't ask for more! What a special way to start the year. February I went to Virginia with my brother and we went skiing for a weekend. Although, I am not a prolific skier I will never forget the sight of my brother whooshing down the face of the mountain he had gone up to "slowly" come down with my cousins and my uncle. The thrill of him coming down at high speed and the absolute terror I felt because I didn't know if he'd be able to stop! Two emotions that ran parallel only to see the sheer joy on his face when he stopped at the bottom and told me he'd pretty much had enough... Amazing. (especially because he was skiing with a bum leg!)


Spring came with not many ups and downs, I had a lovely time playing at game nights with my great friends! How much laughter we shared at each other's expenses remains the best part of our nights together. Reminiscing about silly comments and piggy-backing off of each others retorts, as well as some deeply considered rhetoric on our beliefs... I'll always cherish those moments no matter what.


Finally the summer! What a BLAST! A journey pretty much on my own to discover who my true friends are! I went and spent a magnificent week in Orlando! I rode all types of roller coasters, ate all sorts of food, endured all sorts of embarrassment as a wet me tripped and fell in the queue of the Mummy ride! But it was divine because I was among friends who share a common past and the love of Disney things with me!  I also got to experience Sea World for the first time ever and boy, did I make the most of it! I rode MANTA! But more importantly I touched a dolphin! It was a trying task but I made it! Tip to tail! Then I flew to Texas where I spent a lovely week among what I think are my best friends and a couple days later I find my hostess is never speaking to me again, but I haven't the slightest idea why. (She recently got married and I wish her the best) I only wish she'd feel strong enough about our friendship to have told me what had gone wrong as I completely in the dark about it and quite upset, but oh well, that's life. Regardless, I can honestly say my summer was amazing, but not as amazing as next summer I will be in EUROPE!!!


Then we come to the beginning of this school year. So many great things! I went back to school early for some special training and it turns out I got so much more than I had bargained for! I got great friendships with my new team since I would be teaching 7th grade language arts- but wait! Suddenly, I am am welcomely thrust into another department- foreign languages! I am the school's new FRENCH TEACHER! What a delight. I love my french students and I am utterly excited about the prospect and as the time has gone on, it has proven super positive! It's been a lovely experience! A few bumps in the road, but I am able to surpass them, and try to better myself and my students as learners! 
I am so excited about my new subject and all it entails and the wonderful projects I am doing with them!


Now for the bad, which suddenly feels like it all fell upon me in a matter of moments and I feel like if it is coming in waves and I can't get my head above to right myself and get away from it all! 
My father- the bread winner of my home, is in dire straits and isn't getting any work (not in the US at least) and due to that our financial circumstances have quickly declined and I am in no position to fix it, try as I might.
My brother lost his job, just when I needed him to help me out, helping out the family, most.
My poor mother, lost her mother and her eldest sister in less than a year.
I have been sickly so much this year, I can pinpoint the dates, Sept., early November, Thanksgiving, Christmas... I can only hope that I don't get sick again for the new year or my birthday. I also want to be over this cold pronto.
Also, (and I think this might be culprit as to why my immunity is so low) my wallet being stolen. I can't believe I gave those thieves a friggin' burglar Christmas gift basket!


Anyway in between, I live my life day to day, thankful for the little things, like a good movie (I cried while watching Mr. Holland's Opus), baking cookies for my family at midnight on Christmas, or listening to "Tiny Dancer" while writing this post.


I am grateful I have been blessed with my life regardless of how it pans out. Take it one day at a time is my motto. It's the only way to seize it!


I hope your holiday is fantastic and you can reminisce about the great and not-so of this year and look forward to the new year coming upon us!