looking in the rearview

I can't believe that 2008 is over. This was truly a wonderful year for me, although it went by at the speed of lightning. I still feel like I'm in that stage that you go through in the beginning of a new year, when you can't seem to stop writing the previous year on all of your paperwork and stuff. I still feel like 2007 just ended, it's really weird. I really have changed a lot this year. When I look back at the way I used to be just a year or two ago, one word comes to mind: materialistic. I think part of the reason I was like that was because of highschool. Now that I have been out of that little world for a while, I am starting to really enjoy the real one. I have had a gradual realization that there is so much more to life. I have no desire to have the most expensive, designer brands hanging in my closet anymore. Instead, I just want to have what I need...and what I really need is my family. I have been so anti-family for my entire life, why do I need them anyways? In the end it's just me. I am living my life, not them. I have to answer for my decisions, not them. ME! But lately (within the last year/year.5) I have really felt differently about that. I have always valued my parents, grandparents, Paul, Meg and other people in my family tremendously... but now I find myself having a burning love for certain people I used to run in the opposite direction of. I really cherish all of the time we have together and I know it's not going to always be this way. One of the down sides of having a big family is that there is a better chance you are going to lose someone. I experienced the hardest loss of my life a few years ago, but consider myself extremely lucky to have not had to deal with anything worse so far. I can only hope that 2009 will be as good to me as 2008 was in that respect.

Secondly: New Years Resolutions. I never keep them. Maybe I have such a hard time keeping them because I make it really hard for myself to do so. I decided this year that I would be in that .1% of the population that actually keeps their resolution. I have a few, but my number one is to get on a regular sleeping pattern. I can't keep going to sleep at like 4 in the morning for no reason, sleeping the day away and then repeating the same pattern until I'm forced to go to bed early for something. I really want to feel better and enjoy the beautiful sunshine during the day more often than I do.

Okay, so Christmas was amazing. I got my new glasses and a video camera, both of which have been put into much use. I also got somewhere around 500,000 books and I have been locked in my room reading away for the past couple days. Aside from being sick, Christmas was a really great day. I am now looking forward to spending New Years in the same way that I have pretty much spent every other New Years of my life :). And I wouldn't change that for the world.

ps: my effort on going green has been going steadily well. I will post more on my new improvements later!

<3

Congratulations Mrs. Secretary!

Sorry that it took me forever to post a new blog. This time it wasn't because I completely forgot that the blog existed, but simply because I forgot the password. I'm one of those people that have a different password for every website that I visit regularly. This has hurt me more than it has helped me. It gets especially bad when the website has one of those meters that tests how weak-strong your password is. I always want my password to fall into the strong category, so I'm constantly coming up with weird additions to make it fit...the only problem is that I constantly forget my customized, strong password. Anyways, surprise surprise this is not a blog about tour. Instead I would like to take the time to reflect on a few things going on in my life/the world. People reading this might not know exactly what I mean by my title. Well never fear, I will explain:

After weeks of speculation of whom Obama would name as his Secretary of State, it was finally announced that Hillary got the nomination. I know this is somewhat old news, but seeing as I haven't updated this and seeing as how I am completely obsessed with Hillary Clinton, it is only appropriate that I address the matter. As much as I would like to call her my President-elect, I am really happy for her. I wasn't sure how my boy Bill was going to affect the situation, and after that awesome position that Ted Kennedy offered her, I had no idea what was going to happen. Would she become Secretary of State? Take Ted Kennedy up on his offer? Keep her seat in the Senate? oooh the possibilities. I didn't worry too much about it because I have instilled my absolute faith in Hillary, and I knew that whatever she decided would be best. The selfishness in me almost didn't want her to become Secretary of State. It is no secret that the people of America are mostly uneducated politically (notice I did not say everyone). When something goes wrong, people are quick to point fingers instead of truly being educated on whose fault is what. If something were to go wrong in the Obama administration, I don't want my poor little Hillary to be blamed. Then I realized that I was being totally and completely ridiculous and that if she gets the nomination I should be happy for her...which I am. I am ecstatic. She is going to be so wonderful and I know that she is the absolute best person for what the job entails. I can't wait to see how everything starts to unfold. I will end this discussion with one of my favorite Hillary quotes:

"America is a place founded on the idea that everyone should have the right to live up to his or her God-given potential, and it is that same ideal that must guide America's purpose in the world today. And while we are determined to defend our freedom and liberties at all costs, we also reach out to the world again, seeking common cause and higher ground."

Okay, onto another note. I "changed" my major. I was going for a degree in Elementary Education and was going to get a minor in Political Science, just for the heck of it. I decided that is no longer the route I want to take. After a semester's worth of debating pro's and con's in my head, I came up with a very tangible plan of action that I am extremely happy with. I will no longer teach Elementary Education but will instead teach Secondary. I am getting a B.A in Political Science with a minor in Professional Education. That will allow me to teach Social Science subjects grades 6-12. It will also allow me to represent our great state in the Senate one day.

Last but not least, MACKENZIE IS HOME. I am thrilled beyond belief. I'm soooo happy. She is awesome and I plan on living with her until she leaves haha. I have never heard more about football in my lifetime than I do spending an hour with her...its funny because if it was anyone else I would probably jump off of something very high...high enough that I would break something but not have a heart attack before hitting the ground. However, that being said, I don't mind it coming from her. Maybe because I haven't seen her in four months and am just happy to have my best friend back...I don't know. Either way, I am pretty much going to be an expert on Alabama football by the time she leaves. Whoever wants to go head-to-head in an Alabama football quiz I take you up on your offer and I can pretty much guarantee that I will dominate.

One more thing: OPHELIA ANNA THREEWITT WAS BORN NOVEMBER 23rd AND SHE IS MOST GORGEOUS BABY ON THE ENTIRE PLANET (if only Paul would allow me to see her more often).

Okay that wasn't last either. I wanted to say how excited I am for Christmas!!! I am a total freak when it comes to the holidays. This is my totally favorite time of the year and for good reason. I am out to heal all of the Scrooge's of the world, free of charge. I just want to scream, I love this time of year soooooo much.

<3Tara