Looking Back and Looking Ahead

I probably should’ve posted this before my last post, but who cares!

I think New Year’s is a fun time. There is always that sense of fresh and new—an entirely clean slate of 365 days spread before us on which to write the next year of our lives. That’s exciting!

I also enjoy looking back on the past year and seeing what actually happened…the accomplishments and setbacks, the fun and the somber moments. This year is especially exciting because it is the beginning of a NEW DECADE. So it’s also an opportune moment to reflect on those past ten years as well.

Here’s my list (in no particular order) of
 9 influential things  from 2009:

1. I turned 18!
2. My discovery of raw food.
3. I started this blog. Woohoo!
4. I finally started exercising again.
5. I discovered the joy of podcasts (I think this was in ‘09?)
6. I finished Algebra I (finally)!!!
7. I earned over twenty more college credits toward my degree.
8. I got off all prescription meds (under doctor supervision, of course). Yay! They never helped anyway.
9. I discovered the joy of blogs…especially food blogs.

Now, for some New Year’s resolutions. (Psst! Check out Kristen’s post for a fun way to visualize your goals.)

My 10 hopes for 2010:

1. Get my driver’s license (finally!!!)
2. Go away to college (I’m already working on this one)
3. Read more books (so help me!)
4. Keep exercising!
5. Laugh more (thank God for sitcoms!)
6. Work more on this blog and  write lots of  thought provoking and worthwhile posts…often. (I feel like the content of my posts isn’t always that stellar. Like this post).
7. Drink more green smoothies and eat more raw vegan food.
8. Get a job or find some way to make money : P
9. Make progress in overcoming my ED!!!!
10. That I will be happier :)

And to reflect a little bit about the past decade. A LOT happened between 2000-2010…way more than any other time in my life, that’s for sure. Let’s see:

• My older sister left for boarding school—definitely a huge turning point in my life, and a very hard time.
• The tumultuous preteen and teen years began.
• My sweet baby sister Elizabeth was born in 2002. She was such a blessing and surprise! Although I love my six brothers, I had prayed for a girl for years.
• I got really involved in Challenge, which was good for me then and played a big part in my preteen and early teen years.
• I had the opportunity to travel to Mexico on a pilgrimage.
• My eating disorder developed and festered. : (
• I left for boarding school but had to come home because of ED.
• Anorexia became binge eating disorder.
• I spent two weeks at a hospital getting ‘treated’ for ED.
• I won several writing contests!!! That was really exciting. : )
• In Spring of 2008 I had the chance to write about and reflect upon my ED thus far through a college English class I took. That was a great opportunity…and so therapeutic. Thanks, Mrs. Hessling for encouraging me. Someday I hope to complete those writings in a book…or something. Maybe I’ll share them on here!
• I started college.
• etc…

I’m probably missing a lot of things, but this is at least a sampling.

Now it’s YOUR turn. What are your goals for the new year? Do share!

Happy 2010, everyone!