new years

its new years even and with 2011 begins the rest of my life.

as a kid my family and several other families that i grew up with went to the temple for the temple new years party. what we, the kids, did not realize was the parents were going to an adult party and we were in childcare. we got chicken nugget, fries, and pasta for dinner, the typical childrens buffet that the temple caterer provides at bar and bat mitzvahs and two of the joining preschool classes were open for us to roam between. we played with blocks and other toys throughout the classrooms and had a great time. this group of boys always built this huge block tower and blocked off the area with turned over chairs not letting anyone in without the paper tickets they had made. at midnight as we watched the ball drop on the news they knocked the tower down. this was how i knew new years for many many years. and one year that i remember new years must have been on a friday night thus the temple did not put on this annual event. by this time we were getting older and we did not return the following year.

for the years to follow i remember spending new years with friends at my house. never anything special and never and real big parties. i had midnight phone conversations with various different people each year bringing in the new year. i remember always longing to celebrate with a romantic interest and getting that midnight kiss. one year, i did celebrate with a girlfriend, but because it was at her parents party and she wasnt 100% out or comfortable i didnt get that kiss. still, that was probably my best new years celebration yet. with the exception of that year, the last six years i have gone to an evening movie with with my friend and his sister and then made my way home to bring the new year in with my parents.

celebration or no celebration, each new year is a reminder that time moving and the world keeps spinning. in the recent years, each year has been filled with tremendous growth and change yet so many things still remain this same. this new year is one that marks the beginning of a whole new chapter of my life.

in may i will be graduating college. soon to follow i will hopefully be moving out as i prepare for a credential program and then begin the credential program and student teaching. this will be the year that sets the tone for the rest of my life and is the first turn i take in my career and my adult life.

in school i remember always writing new years resolutions; things like i will not fight with my brother and sister this year, or, i will listen to parents more. i remember writing goals and resolutions like this, putting things on paper that the teachers wanted to hear but never really understanding why i was doing so. as i have grown up i have learned the value of resolutions, promises we make to ourselves, and an opportunity to reflect on our character and actions and work to become the best person we know how to be. this year, my new years resolutions are:

* continue to work to share my feelings honestly and authentically, in the most personal fashion.
* continue to focus on what i have rather than what i dont have.
* work more to not gossip and only say things about people that i would say to their faces.
* stand my ground.
* love and appreciate myself.

happy new years to everyone. have a safe and happy holiday. see you all on 2011.