a look back, a look forward

i love lists.

here's what i learned in 2008:

1. don't put your resolutions on your blog. if i post a list on here, then i ignore it. if i post a book to read, then i don't finish it. so just look for photos or music i like on here.

2. don't be afraid to connect with new people. i found things within myself that i did not know i possessed and things that i had forgotten. i've reconnected with my past and that's been eye opening as well.

3. God did not move. i did. He just put me down after carrying me for awhile.

4. there are some things worth fighting for and there are some things that must be let go. i'm not good at that.

5. there is purpose for my life. not sure what it is yet, but i am going to enjoy all the life i can until it comes into focus.

6. even though i am getting older, i refuse to settle into what everyone thinks of me as being the only thing going. i have changed. i will keep changing. i will keep challenging myself to be a better person. i will grow until i die.

7. i love people. i really LOVE people. life would be SO boring without them.

8. i am truly blessed. i have spent a good portion of my life not being satisfied by who i am, what i have, or where i am going. that is complete crap. i have been so lucky, been given more than i deserve, and my life has been the most amazing journey.

9. if i have a positive impact on the people that i love, then i've earned my existence here on earth. i just want people to say that i try to be a good person.

10. i am a freak. i am a misfit. i am a square peg trying to fit into a round hole. i am different. i am a weirdo. (see above photo) i am glad, really, really, glad.

11. stop looking within for all the answers. look to God, look to others and pay attention to the clues around you.

12. i am old, but i am not dead. i will do things that i have never done before.

13. i am so glad that my asking questions has brought me closer to people that i would have never known well. i am asking better questions and people are asking me questions back. it has changed my life forever.

14. i feel the most whole and healed than i have felt in a long time. watch out.

and for 2009....

i will not be afraid.

[the photo above is me in the "batcave" with my dark knight display, wearing my special hulk hands that i got for christmas from my friend, maribeth.]

happy new year!

obama inauguration 01.20.09

it was amazing to be surrounded by such of huge crowd of people who were so excited that Barack Obama is our president. it was incredible to be a small part of such a large part of our country's history.

inauguration photos

work in progress

Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury,pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.


O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen


i am still sifting through my mind for my final thoughts about 2008 and where i am headed in 2009. however, i had to share this prayer in the meantime. it has saved my life on more than one occasion and i rediscovered it while listening to a Sarah Mclachlan CD. if you haven't heard her sing it, download it right now. this prayer is part of my focus for 2009 in an attempt to be a better person.

just a quick note of news, my friends, elizabeth and james, had their beautiful baby girl, emma, on the 22nd of december. congratulations! i am so happy for them.