It seems like just yesterday that we were frightenly moving into the year 2000, and now we are already well on our way, successfully, through 2008. It doesn't seem like eight years since the big Y2K freak out and yet as I look back on it, there are so many hings that crammed into the last 8 years; so many changes that, given the chance, I would most definitely not change.

In 2000 I was a junior in hs. well, technically i was a sophomore for part of it and a junior for the 2nd half. I turned 16, got my first car, bumped a few people while drg my first car, landed a spot on the varsity bball team, broke my foot while playing vball, experienced the wonders of falling in love with Jesus, and experienced many bumps and bruises that I am very thankful for now.

The years 2001- 2002 flew by as life went fast pace. graduation was a big part of that latter year. I learned a lot about friends in those years. We spent many a weekends holed up in someone's house, playing games and laughing and taking many pictures. I learned to love Twister Tournaments, embraced the awkwardness of prom dates and prom dresses, and said goodbye to many of my closest friends as we drifted off to college.

I think the most prominent and beautiful years of my life were spent following 2002 and up until the end of 2006. Embarking on a new adventure at ETBU proved to be the most amazing decision of my life. I met several people I am now proud to call my best friends. I changed my major about 6 times (and still dont know what I want to do with my life), changed groups of friends just as much, learned the value of guarding my heart, and began to understand how important "me time" is.  I met my best guy friend, whom I never would've guessed I'd still be friends with today - even when we're several miles (and states) apart. Someone whom I love very dearly and can now fully understand the saying "absence makes the heart grow fonder". - and when he reads this, he'll understand my words exactly. I went on road trips, spring break trips, and walmart trips. I traveled to Chicago where I became closer to 2 girls whom I am priveliged to call my best friends. I experienced crushes, and watched as those crushes dated other girls (and eventually married some of them). I learned, grew, and struggled over obstacles. I had the best roommates ...and the worst roommates. I learned to laugh everyday and to find time to play super nintendo with the roommates. I realized that cooking is not my forte' (though I can do it) and that even small moments - decisions to go a certain place, hang out with a certain person, ...etc - can change the course of your entire life. I came out of my shell. And even drew back into it. I experienced creativity, expanded my mind, and developed a pretty amazing collection of tshirts. I got involved in a sorority, with girls whom love the Lord and encouraged me to be a better person. I served alongside them, cried with them, fought with them, disagreed with them, loved them, grew with them, learned, fell from grace in front of them, and was picked back up by them. I failed. I learned. I grew. I struggled. I lost. I loved. I was shaped by being at that school, by being around those people. Simply put: those 4.5 years transformed me into who I am today. And you were apart of that...

2007 proved to be a year of growth. Honestly put, 365 days seemed more like 600 days, and there were many times I was unsure about the direction of my life and there were many times my world crashed around me. But with those crashes also came amazing times. I learned that a group of 8th graders can really impact your life. I learned that it's ok to have dreams - and to reach for them - even if it means experiencing many different jobs in your lifetime. I experienced the lack of an income. I decided to go into education, and got my first teaching job. I reluctantly said goodbye to my grandmother and still find myself crying because she isn't  here. I moved out of the house and into an apartment with my best friend in all the world (shout out to Nycole here! lol). I stood in absolute awe of my Creator at the Grand Canyon, and was humbled at Camp Fuego as I watched Him move in the youth of this world. I have tried and I have failed. I have laughed and I have cried. I have learned and I have refused to listen to the lesson being taught. and 2007 brought about a turn of a new leaf.

And I guess I expect it to be no different in 08. In fact, I expect it to be more. I want to be challenged, to be stretched. I want to love (and perhaps to fall in love). I want more. I want to push past my limit; to reach further than my mind thinks it possible. I want my soul to be full. I want to discover and I want to fail. I want to deepen myself. I want to explore. I want friendships to be stronger. I want to complete. I want to change a life and to enhance my own. I want to be shocked. I want to be surprised. I want to be exactly who He has created me to be. And perhaps, in a little under 345 days, I want to look back on 2008 and be able to say that I did all I could to make it the best yet; that I can look back and not want to change a thing - to be able to say that I gave it all I possibly could - that I gave so much that I have nothing left. I want to exhaust myself in 2008; to live my life with such fullness that I do not miss one moment. I want to simply live.