A Letter to 2009

Dear 2009,

This is a very special year. Not only is it the end of another year, but it’s the end of a decade. Wow! Ten years have already gone by. Remember when we were welcoming in this new decade? Y2K? Computers blowing up? Cars not starting? I know more than one person that had canned heat on hand. Thankfully, the world did not end. I, for one, enjoyed many wonderful memories and adventures in this first decade of the 2000s.

This decade brought many changes to my family. I gained two sisters-in-law and two beautiful nephews. I never knew how incomplete life was until 2004 when the CMan came into our lives. The day I became an aunt was by far the greatest day of my life. My heart expanded to include a new little one into my circle of love. And when Mr. Mster entered our family in 2007, my heart grew again. I love these little guys so much and I look forward to many more years of sharing and learning with them.

I also had some amazing travel adventures the past 10 years. Two trips to Europe, New York City (twice), Disneyland, and many local adventures kept my passport busy and my suitcase well used. I am always amazed at how beautiful our world is. My travels and adventures make me realize how much I have to learn and how much I have to experience in life. And each time my travels bring me back home, I am again reminded of how truly blessed and fortunate I am.

I was also able to continue my education this decade. I reached a goal that I wasn’t sure I would ever reach when I received my master’s degree. One of the proudest days of my life is the day I got “hooded.” I love school (but not the homework) and sometimes contemplate more education. Maybe this new decade will bring more educational opportunities. (Oh help us all if I go for Ph.D. Some of you may want to stay clear of my path during those years…and you know why.)

I bought a house this decade. Me, a homeowner! And with that homeownership comes bills, and repairs, and maintenance, and cleaning, and sometimes a lot of pain! But in the long run, it feels great to have a place to call my own. Wow, I think I might be a grown up now!

Loves were gained and loves were lost. Friends were gained and friends were lost. Jobs turned into careers and my 20s turned into my 30s. There have been many wonderful opportunities and discoveries these past 10 years. Some good, some not so great. But overall, I’m grateful for the past 10 years. I look forward to 2010. My dad asked me the other day where I would be in 10 years…I wonder? Will I find my eternal companion? Will I become a mom? Will I go back to school? Climb a mountain? Travel to India? Who knows, but I am very excited for the future. One of my favorite scriptures says, “If you are prepared, ye shall not fear.” I’m prepared for the future and I’m ready for whatever director my Lord wants me to go.

Thank you 2009 for a great year…and for ending a great decade. I look forward to 2010 and the many experiences, loves, friendships, and calluses I’ll gain.

Love,

Jen

Crazy 8's Tag

I like being tagged. And Angie tagged me in Crazy 8’s. I know you’re excited to read this…I can feel it. 

8 TV Shows I Love:
1. Biggest Loser
2. Friends
3. What Not to Wear
4. Cake Boss
5. Oh darn, I don’t actually have 8 TV shows that I watch!
6. I guess 5 will do.


8 Movies I Love:
1. Pride & Prejudice (BBC version)
2. 13 Going on 30
3. Dead Poets Society
4. 27 Dresses
5. Pretty in Pink
6. 16 Candles
7. The Goonies
8. Sense and Sensibility

8 Restaurants I Love:
1. Brick Oven
2. Bajio
3. Macaroni Grill
4. Fat Jack’s Pizza
5. Happy Sumo
6. Sandellas
7. I’m on Weight Watchers, I can’t think of anymore food!

8 Things that Happened Yesterday:
1. Went to work
2. Freaked out in a snow storm
3. Went to family Christmas party
4. Freaked out about more snow
5. Back seat danced with my nephew
6. Got a really ugly white elephant gift
7. Went to lunch with my new “boss”
8. Freaked out about more snow.

8 Things I Look Forward To:
1. Writing my book
2. Going on a vacation
3. Fondue on Christmas Eve
4. Telling a certain person he’s missed his chance
5. Two weeks of peace at work
6. Eating real cheese again
7. Forget a vacation, I’ll take a day off right now
8. Buying new pants

8 Things I Love About Winter
1. Really? Not much
2. OK, snow for Christmas
3. Christmas lights
4. Decorating my Christmas tree
5. Cute sweaters
6. Seriously, that’s it. I hate Winter.


8 Things on my Wish List:
1. New job (seriously, long story and probably even longer down the road than the story)
2. New clothes
3. New tall black boots
4. Telling a certain person he’s missed his chance
5. A new bedroom set
6. A treadmill
7. Reading all the books I want to read
8. A maid

8 People I Tag:
1. I won’t tag anyone, but if you want to do it, do it!

Santa's Wish List

Last night, I asked the nephews what I should ask Santa to get me for Christmas. You know, now that Mr. Tiger has disappointed me so, I’ve taken him off my list. And seriously, how many years in a row do I have to ask Santa for a red convertible Mercedes? Just deliver already, would ya! CMan told me I should ask for a cherry picker truck. Mr. Mster told me to ask for a tow truck. You know, as fascinating as those gifts are, I’m not sure how it would look to have a 33-year-old woman driving Tonka trucks around her house. I said I was going to ask for a niece, but I got the death look from my brother and a sarcastic “good luck” from my sister-in-law.

Back to the drawing board, I guess.

Which got me to thinking about gifts. I love presents! But mostly, I love unwrapping them. This comes as no surprise to my mother, but I love unwrapping my gifts. There’s just something about the pretty wrapping paper and the lovely bow. It’s thrilling! But I digress. After my conversation with the nephews I thought about the Christmas presents I’ve received in my life. And there are three that stand out more than others.

1. My Barbie dream house. I was about 7 or 8 and believe me, this thing was freaking awesome! Loved it! Loved it so much that I let my dad take a picture of me Christmas morning in my Strawberry Shortcake pjs with matching robe. My hair was wild (that’s what happens when you have naturally curly hair). But I stood there beside my dream house and smiled the hugest grin known to man kind. All of my Barbies got married in that house. Ken lost a head or two (thanks to my brother). Those were the days. I loved it.

2. My first Book of Mormon. It was one of those mini triple combinations. Remember those? I was 10 and I was thrilled to have my own scriptures to take to primary. I had a matching Bible too.

3. Pearl ring. This was the Christmas I was 16 and my grandma passed away the summer before. For some reason, I equate this ring with my grandma. She wasn’t there to buy it or give it to me, but Christmas at grandma’s house was always a big deal and our first Christmas without her was also a big deal. We missed her. That ring reminds me of my grandma.


So, CMan and Mr. Mster, any ideas for Santa?