2013? Already? Are you sure? Well, let’s get to it then!

Doesn’t it seem like 2012 has come and gone in a blink? I can no longer say “This time last year, I was in Hawaii,” because this time last year I was exactly where I am now. Well, not exactly. This time this year I have a job that I enjoy, and a whole plan for novels verses my jobless and half-an-idea novel I had last year. I think we’re off to a better start.

I’ve seen a lot of posts lately that reflect on the past year or talk about the expectations and/or goals for this brand spanking new year. This post is going to do both.

I’ll start with a little reflection:
For starters, we didn’t spend 2012 in Korea like we had originally planned; however, a lot of things happened in 2012 that showed me and Jake that our Heavenly Father had us in mind when the connecting company went on their year-long hiatus.

2012 brought new levels of appreciation for simple things…like being able to feel your toes. It brought a rekindled love for the sun (I’ve always loved the sun, but being further away from it has made me realize how much).

2012 gave us something Hawaii, with all its glory and wonder, never could: roadtrips!! We got to see family, friends, and all sorts of wonderful and important people. Plus, I’ve become an epic co-pilot.

2012 gave me sledding. I had never been sledding in my life (this is the part where you all look at me and say “what?!” like I just admitted my deep, nasty secret about loving to kill puppies—which for the record is untrue and that desire does not exist—and then I remind you all that I grew up in Hawaii where there is a significant shortage of snow). It was fun…and kind of completely terrifying.

2012 presented me with the magical land of the United Kingdom (2013, don’t let me down!)

2012 also granted me the unique experience of being a Young Women’s counselor (an experience I’m still currently enjoying, and hope to enjoy for the rest of our time here.)

2012 gave me the great opportunity of being 22, which if you listen to Taylor’s latest hit, being 22 is where it’s at! (lucky me, I turn 23 this very weekend!)

2012 also brought on a successful NaNoWriMo!

Oh, 2012, The Hobbit? Les Mis? Thank you!!

Jake finished his book!! :)

2012 was full of weddings!

Unlike many of my friends, 2012 did not bring us an additions to our family—but maybe 2013 will…who knows?! ;)

So, now onto the hopes and dreams for 2013. While I, like many, totally suck at the whole “new year’s resolution” thing (seriously? we should call them “resolutions we plan to keep up until March…if we’re super lucky”), I like the idea of setting goals, and having hopes.
Here we go. I hope (see how I did that? “hopes” and then “I hope,” oh yeah, I got this!) I can cut the snark—okay, just kidding. I like my snark. It’s fun and clever (sometimes…let’s be honest, most of the time).

Okay for reals: I hope to be able to get into at least one grad school. (I know that’s kind of a lame goal since the whole thing is out of my hands anyway, but that’s why it’s a hope. I mean, I have a 87.5% of getting into at least ONE school…yes, I’m well aware that those chances are based on the probability that each school has a 50/50 shot of letting me in, and I totally get that getting into a grad school is not 50/50, but the way I see it is they either say yes or they say no. That’s two different answers, thus 50/50. And based on those odds, I only have a 12.5% of not getting into any schools at all—dude, I teach probabilities.)

I want to finish my novel. I hope. :)

I want new [at least mostly pleasant] experiences.

Two words: new. place. Don’t get me wrong, Pendleton is great in all its own ways, but I am ready to move on to the next stage of our educations, of our married life, of our lives. No matter where we get into grad school (fingers crossed we get in SOMEWHERE) we will be in a new place: could be as close as other side of Oregon, could be as far as St. Andrews, Scotland (bet you can’t guess which one I’m rooting for…p.s. if you said Oregon…you’re wrong. Like really times one hundred wrong).

I hope to feel good in my skin again (dude, the winter makes you fat. Okay, well, I’m sure it’s not ALL the winter’s fault, but it’s my story…).

I sincerely fully with all my heart hope that 2013 gives me an ocean. We used to fall asleep listening to it. The last ocean I saw was in May, and it wasn’t good swimming conditions, being freezing, but I’ll take it.

2013 needs to bring more rocking out. I didn’t play my guitar enough during 2012, and I need to rekindle that love.

Reading. I’m not going to be completely unrealistic and say something crazy like I want to read every single book on my kindle because that’s completely unrealistic and crazy, but I want to read a good portion of the books on my kindle and leave 2014 to finish off the list. That’s not too nuts. I don’t think.

Provided I’m not drowning in schoolwork (which, let’s hope I am) come November 2013, I would like to successfully complete a second year of NaNoWriMo.

2013 should bring an addition to the family…I mean 2012 totally slacked on that. Personally, I’m voting for a kitten. ;)

I’m also hoping I go to bed with an aching abs every night. :)

and Jake’s everlasting wish moves to 2013: LEGOS! (and new pj pants)