Dear Year of 2012,
Holy cow! What a year? Did you think it would turn out this way? I sure didn't. I can't even remember what I resolved to do when you started, I'm sure it had something to do with exercising regularly and spending more time studying the scriptures... things like that...Now that you've come to a close and 2013 is rumbling in, I can't decide what I should resolve to do this year. I guess, I'm writing to you to find out exactly what I should work on this year. My hope is that as I reflect on all of our experiences together, I'll figure out what I really need to improve on. Lets start at the beginning.
This time last year I was just about to begin the last half of my senior year. I loved where I was. The goals I made when I was a freshman and sophomore were finally coming to pass, and I couldn't have been more happy with the way things were working out. For as long as I can remember I've dreamed of going to college at BYU, and in February I finally was accepted. To top it off, so were my best friends. That, combined with my 18th birthday really brought the New Year in with a bang.
Spring brought the long awaited choir tour trip, and as I'm sure you remember, it was everything I hoped for and more. haha, do you remember when the bus broke down in the middle of the night, only a few hours before a performance? Or when I got only 4 hours of sleep the night before we went to Disneyland? Oh my gosh, me and all my friends just had so much... whats the word I'm looking for? Energy? Enthusiasm? ... I'm not sure how to say it, but what ever it was, rocked. Anyways, I could talk about that trip for hours, so I best move on.
The rest of the term flew by and before I knew it, AP tests (I survived!), Prom (loved it), and final concerts (sad right?) were over, leaving graduation as the only high school event left (ahhhh!). I was my class' Salutatorian which meant that I'd be speaking at graduation... Wowzers....I remember reciting my speech over and over to the concrete wall in the event center, and getting emotional as I tuned the orchestra for the last time. It seemed like I'd been praying since I woke up that I'd be able to just deliver my speech the best I could (and not barf, that was definitely included). There I was, freaking out, nearly crying, when my orchestra conductor told me to just go up there and have a conversation with the audience. For some reason, that really calmed me down. All of those people out there were just my friends, my teachers, my parents, my neighbors... anyways, it turned out. And it felt really good.
Fast forward to my 2 week trip to Disneyland with my family, grandparents, and even some of my best friends. That trip was my real last hurrah before moving out in mid June. Between the rides, taking creeper pictures of hott guys, and hilarious video diaries, that trip was a success and definitely one of my most cherished memories during you.
....Then It came... The day I moved out to go to school. I remember that last night in my bed, not totally believing that the day had finally come. I remember the tears with my family, not sure when I'd see them next... I mean, they were only a half-hours drive away, but still, life would be different.
The rest of the summer was spent making new friends, and just trying to keep up in school Like most college freshmen, I spent my first semester enjoying my new freedom. Middle of the night trips to Walmart, doing what ever I pleased when I pleased.... you know... the usual. My friend group was such a strange conglomeration of people, and we were all from different walks of life... All of the different personalities and viewpoints were so new to me... but somehow we worked together...And through it all, I learned a lot about myself. I was stretched in ways I hadn't been before, and I'm different because of it. I think being around so many different types of people really forced me to solidify more who I am. My opinions, my decisions, and my goals for the future have all been influenced by the people I became closest with this summer. And I'm so grateful for that. My goal at the beginning of the summer, was to end the term a "new me" (or at least an improved me)...I think it worked.
I LOVED spending time with my family and friends between semesters. My mom is a family time fanatic, and planned loads of fun activities for us. Between the plays, canoeing at the lake, four wheeling, and a million other things, we just had a really good time.
Fall semester... That's another wowza... Not gonna lie, this part of the year was a little overwhelming at times. The material was just soooo new. Electronics, woodshop, multimedia exploration....Wowza. Honestly, Audrey with power tools? Betcha didn't see that one coming ;) Though the material was hard, as the semester went on, I really came to love my classes. My professors were some of the best I've ever had, the friends in my major were so welcoming, and I learned so much practical knowledge.
Besides school, Fall Semester brought a new batch of roommies as well. Talk about luck. What were the chances that I'd end up with five of the nicest, funniest, easiest girls to live with at BYU?
... October... President Monson's announcement that girls can leave on missions at 19 literally changed my life plan in a matter of a few seconds. I'd always had a desire to go on a mission, but 21 seemed just so. far. away. Now 19... 19 I could do. In fact was perfect. I made the decision, and after fasting and many prayers, got started on my paperwork. I'll probably blog more about my mission as it gets closer, so I don't really want to focus on that right now...
2012, To wrap up this letter, I'm making a list of some of the things you taught me.
1. No matter the time or distance, being reunited with a true friend feels a lot like coming home.
2. I've really learned the value of a phone call. There's nothing like a phone call from my sister, older or younger, to make my day.
3. You can't live to please others. If you complete a project only thinking about what the professor will like, you are going to end up with something neither of you are proud of.
4. When making a hard decision, don't lose track of the big picture or the here and now. Both are important.
5. Go with Heavenly Father's plan; He will ALWAYS bless you for it.
So what's my New Year's resolution? Well, I guess I still have a pretty short temper, I sleep past my alarm everyday, and I probably am too hard on people...just to name a few... I guess all I really want this year is to just get better. My goal is to spend 20 minutes everyday, doing something for me with the intention of it making me a better person. Maybe that 20 minutes will be 20 minutes of inspirational videos, or 20 minutes of reading my favorite book, or 20 minutes working at a particular skill, or 20 minutes of service. Its 20 minutes of pure me time to do whatever I please with the intention of a long term result:) I realize this resolution doesn't fit the whole "smart" goal idea, but I don't really care. haha. yes, I think I'll like this resolution.
2012, Thanks for a great year!
Sincerely,
Audge :)
So there it is. Anti-climatic? Probably. Cliche? No doubt. Did it satisfy my desire to just write? Yup.
