day 1

First, the bad things of 2005:
-Broken hearts.
-A very expensive fender-bender.
-Brother Peter sent to Iraq for nine months.
-Star Wars Episode Three

Some good things from 2005:
-Loving and being loved. I do mean that in a romantic way. Even though the broken hearts have been at times almost too much to bear, I would still do everything over again if given the opportunity.
-I became an auntie for the second time. Arisellie was born yesterday. Hooray!
-My house mates and amazing friends. I would be lost without them.
-Getting to know my previously estranged brother Matthew.
-The Bridge, my home and community. I have been embraced and encouraged and stimulated by the people there. They tell me that I need to love myself. They also tell me that I need to love the church. I don't know which is harder.
-Went on a date with a lawyer in late spring. He wasn't very interesting, but I think it's funny that I can say "I went on a date with a lawyer" and have it be true! (I will never mention this again.)
-Adventure! This is not limited to Hawaii, but includes the hikes, the trips, the movies, the parties, the food that I have enjoyed with people around me.
-Freaks and Geeks, Firefly, Lost.
-Voice lessons with Todd Fadel, getting to know the Fadel family, singing my soul out during worship.
-Poems written: two. One that I am ashamed of, one that I am not. Neither are any good, but I can live with that.

What I expect in 2006:
-New Zealand.
-Living alone in an apartment for the first time ever.
-McNeo becoming a Mrs.
-Fun, fun and more fun with Gena as our newest house member.
-Lots and lots of diaper changing.

Also:
-I am going to try to say "no" more. For example, No, I will not watch your children on New Year's Eve. Or, No, you and your children cannot sit next to me on the flight from Honolulu to Portland - I'm not supposed to start work till tomorrow. Finally, No, I will not make out with you.
-I've given up non-caps typing. It was starting to feel sloppy.
-You can use this idea for 2006 (I'll give it to you for free): give the gift of a cheap bottle of wine, but use pictures from an old National Geographic to make a better label. Then use your label maker to write something witty or endearing. Better yet, witty and endearing.