A Letter

Freshman year of college, I started a "tradition" of writing myself a letter on New Year's Eve. The letter would summarize everything that happened in the year before, and predict/hope what would happen in the year to come. 

Fall of sophomore year, some things went down that I didn't exactly want to relive come that New Year's Eve. So, the tradition died. 

Short-lived tradition, right? 

Well, I shared that idea with Kacey back when I first came up with it, and she's since reminded me of it a few times. I told her this year, that I wish I had written myself a letter. It's been a really pivotal year for me so far, and I said that I wished I could look back come next New Year's Eve to remember how far I've come.  

Her response: why not write one now?

So, here it is. My letter to myself. 

Dear Me, 

I've officially made it to the real world, huh? Got my big full-time job, paying all my own bills, and really turning Santa Barbara into home. Today (March 28th) officially marks one year of full-time employment, and I would say it's been one good year. There's been some really amazing weekends. Heck, there's been some really amazing week-nights. One thing I've really learned is to make the most of what time is my time, and I hope to always continue to do that. 

This year didn't exactly start the way that I would have predicted it, did it? Just a month before New Year's, I was in what I thought was a happy relationship. Funny how things work out, right? But even if it takes time to see it, they always work out for the best. I didn't waste a single day of 2012 dwelling on that relationship, even though I found out some harsh news just hours into the New Year.  

I take that back, I gave one day of the New Year to grieve over the relationship. One day. I'm proud. 

It's been just three months of this year, and I can already tell that I will look back on 2012 as a big one. I'll always remember this as a year of learning, and a year of loving. I'm completely falling in love with Jesus and my faith, and learning to truly love the person I'm becoming along that journey. It feels damn good to finally learn to love yourself, doesn't it? 

I'm starting to develop actual hobbies, you know, besides drinking with my friends. Not to say I don't still enjoy that, because I do. But I'm also finding other things to do with my time, like hiking and biking. And getting to the gym. Staying active has become really important to me, and I hope that stays with me over time. If I can keep up with getting to the gym as often as I have been, I will officially stick with a New Year's Resolution for a change. 

Another New Year's Resolution I've kept up with is the "One Year" Bible reading challenge. It feels really great to keep up with these goals, and I hope come December 31st, I can officially say that I've read the entire Bible. 

I hope come January 1st, 2013, I continue reading the Word. Even though I will not have a reading plan to stick to. 

I'm also becoming borderline obsessed with cooking. I so enjoy looking through cook books, noting down recipes that I want to try. I can't wait to see how I grow as a cook this year, and maybe graduate from "quick and easy" recipes to some more challenging ones. 

I know this year is going to continue to be amazing, as there is already so much that is planned.   Four trips in the next two months, three of which include flights. Crazy! Traveling was another New Year's Resolution, and that's exactly what I'm doing. 

I hope by the end of this year, I will officially have my passport. Maybe 2013 will be the year that I finally venture out of the country. Fingers crossed!

I also hope that I continue to make the most of every day. Continue learning that it's impossible to please everyone, but the most important thing is to please my God. Continue learning to be proud of who I am, and to never stop striving to grow. 

2012, you're only a quarter of the way done, and I can already say with near certainty that you will be one of the best year's of my life. 

Xo, 

Amy