[Insert Obligatory “End of the Year” Blog Post]

Like most people, I always take a minute at the end of the year to reflect. I like to make New Years Resolutions, but I also like to be proud of the good things that transpired in the year gone past. I spend a lot of time thinking about where I went wrong and not enough time thinking about where I definitely went right.

2011 was in many ways, the best year of my life. Granted, no year is as good a year as it can be since I lost my dad in 2009. However, all things considered, this has been a great year. So many incredible things have transpired, I can’t even begin to name them all, but I have had two major highlights:

The best thing to happen to me: Getting engaged. His proposal was sweet and thoughtful just like him. I am very fortunate to be marrying the love of my life. I look forward to spending the rest of our lives together. So many great things have happened this year following the proposal (Columbus Bride website feature, Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta, my Bridal Shower, etc).

The most fun I had this year: Working for the mayor’s re-election campaign. The people I worked with were great, the person I worked FOR was awesome (he has to be the best boss ever), and the job itself was so much fun. I worked all theeeeee time, but most of the time it didn’t even feel like “work”. I met so many people and went to a ton of events. It was just an overall cool experience. I fell in love with Columbus! Oh, and we won. That was a great night.

Some personal successes I’ve had this year:

I’ve been sticking to my workout and healthy eating plan (for the most part).

I’ve been saving more money than ever and not going on random go-to-Walmart-and-buy-a-bunch-of-crap-I-dont-need sprees.  

I’ve been blogging more and I have the increased traffic to prove it (whoo-hooo!) and I’ve also been seeking out other outlets for my writing. 

I’ve been growing my relaxer out this entire year and figuring out how to straighten my hair at home (for free!). 

This year has been awesome, but still, I’m really looking forward to 2012. I am expecting great things. We never know what a year may bring (think about your expectations in December 2010 and what your life actually looks like today in December of 2011), but there are some things I am sure of. For one, I will be married and that automatically makes 2012 the best year ever. I am also believing for a supernatural turnaround in my career situation.

Since graduation, I have spent more time total looking for a job then actually having a job and honestly I am OVER that. Granted, I insist on having a job that utilizes my degree and I am going to “keep on knocking” (Matthew 7:7) until it finally happens. I have high hopes for 2012 in the career department and I believe I will not be disappointed.

One major “New Year’s Resolution” that I have is to stop putting things off until the last minute. Procrastination, bad planning and straight up lying to myself has resulted in me *always* rushing around at the very last second when I had ample time to do that thing beforehand. I tend to get things done on time, but I’m sick of always having that eleventh hour panic session.

I also resolve to be a better daughter, sister, and aunt. My personal relationships have been lacking a little bit, but 2012 will be the year of family for me. (Starting with the fact that I’ve invited my whole friggin family to my wedding haha.)

Being a better friend is another thing on my New Years Resolution list. It is really hard to make (and keep!) friends after college (despite the lies that Sex and the City and Friends fed me). But in 2012, I am going to make more of an effort – outside of Twitter and Facebook. The Bible says “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly.” I want to have friends, so I will be friendly.

Last year, I committed to read the entire Bible this year….and I think I made it halfway through Exodus. Now, every time something bad happens, I think God is punishing me for not getting through the Bible haha. Seriously though, this year I want to read more of God’s Word. I’d like to read the entire Old Testament, so we’ll see. People have done it. Why can’t I?

I’d like to read more, period. So maybe that should be my fifth resolution. I love reading, but I don’t make enough time for it. This year, I will.

I think I can manage five New Years Resolutions, that’s better than the twenty I used to write when I was a kid (I’d love to come across that list now haha). I’m super excited for this year. Even number years are always great years for me for some odd reason (no pun intended haha). 2012 just sounds cool, so it will definitely BE cool. I’m expecting this to be a magnificent year from January 1st to December 31st! And, as my pastor always says, “The atmosphere of expectancy is the breeding ground of miracles”.

Bring it.