Remembrance By Celebration

Today could have been a very terrible day. January 23. My dad's birthday. I realized about three days ago that his birthday was approaching. It is difficult to think about someone's birthday. My dad died at 55. He never reached 56. He never will. Am I the only one that thinks this is a crazy concept?

I don't get it. Not sure if I ever will.

But anyways, I woke up this morning with a feeling in my gut. Thanks to my lovely sisters, though, the day was not lost. I could have spent all day being a hermit in my bedroom, but instead I enjoyed watching the Blackhawks' and Bears' games on TV.

We yelled. We ranted. We shouted OBSCENITIES. We made fun of each other. We had a blast.

I just want to say thank you to those who made me forget what today really was. I'm not saying I forgot about my dad, but I celebrated instead. He would have wanted it that way.

So Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Traditional New Year Post

I found this image on Flickr at the start of the new year. It has been my little motto for 2011. This is definitely a long overdo new year post. Honestly, I don't even know what I wanted to say in this anymore.

2010 was a roller coaster of a ride. I started the year head over heels for a boy, waiting to leave for Australia, being away from my school friends, and dying from boredom at home. Then in February, I left for Sydney and spent some of the best moments of my life down under. In June (and July), tragedy hit the family. Anyone who knew me last semester knows that I had a really hard time coming to grips with the new reality that was my life. Being back at IWU was challenging. Dealing with a long distance friendship/relationship with someone that I care deeply about was breaking me down. Trying to adjust to a life without my dad and not always getting to spend the time I wanted with some of my best friends made things increasingly more difficult. Oh, let's not mention the extreme stress of school and my education classes and struggling with the idea that maybe I didn't want to be a teacher.

And then, winter break hit. I spent only a few days at home, but loved them all. Then my mom and I made our way to SF for the holidays. I had an absolute joyous time, and those 10 days in SF were just what I needed. I was ready to head back to IWU for my last semester.

This semester hasn't been nearly as challenging yet, but give it a few weeks. I have been trying to enjoy my free time as much as possible. And boy, have I had some great stories! I made some traditional resolutions that I have been doing a decent job at keeping. Let's see how long that lasts!

All in all, 2011 is looking up. 2011 is MY YEAR. That's what I keep telling myself. I am optimistic about the future. (Are you freaking out about graduation? Then, come talk to me! I can help calm you down.) I finally feel like I am growing into the person that I want to be in the future.

As I said in SF, "the world is about to get real." And I am okay with that. Now, if I could just find a darn apartment for next year!