It's almost 2013. And a few things have happened this past year. So, prepare yourself for a bit of an overview and a potential preview for the new year.
January-- 2012 began like all year's begin (in January) and I was looking hopeful for the future. I was near the end of an endless typing campaign and it was all very exciting! I began to learn how to jump on horseback and I also started improving as a rider overall. It was great getting back into the saddle seriously and hopefully I can get that momentum going again when the weather changes for the better.
February-- Finished typing that monster rounding out the word count at 71,978. Pretty impressive, except that after a load of editing I wiped out some of that word count and added a bit. Right now at this very moment that story is sitting pretty at 74,047. So yeah, it got longer. But, I'm still editing it so we'll see what happens. I did a lot of editing in February. Good deal!
March-- A lot happened in March. What a good month. We had beautiful weather and I did a lot of jumping and riding. I spent a night out on St. Patrick's Day which was fun! I took a little vacation to visit my Gram and I painted a LOT! To everyone's surprise I painted the walls pink, but it wasn't my room now was it? I went to visit my friends at Western and I had a good time. March was fun.
April-- This month was a bit interesting. Coming off of vacation it was hard to transition back into work and all the stress that brings. People don't realize that retail can, in fact, be very stressful, but it can. April was when I really began to think that maybe I should apply for Grad School. I've taken that to heart (even if I've sort of changed my mind already, I'm still applying.) May-- My birthday was good! Funny things happened and we all had a good time I think. I got a new camera and I've been taking lots of pictures. One thing that has happened this year is that I've become closer again with some friends that I've not hung out with as much for a while. It's been really nice and fun and I'm extremely glad that we've gotten the opportunity to become as close as we used to be all over again!
June-- I do have to say that not much of anything happened in June.
July-- In one word: Impulsive. I had a very impulsive July. But, it was probably one of the best things for me. I've decided I need to be more impulsive because otherwise I just end up being a bum. I sit around and do nothing, essentially. I like being impulsive because I then do things that I would actually like to do. I decided to go to LeakyCon in Chicago. I went to the midnight premire of Dark Knight Rises. Impulsive is good. Also, Fireworks were fun with Mom and my brother and popcorn! Then there was also the wedding I went to which was great!! I got to dress up and catch up with friends I hadn't seen in a while.
August -- This was probably one of the best August's I've had in . . . well, perhaps ever. I went to LeakyCon in Chicago and had the time of my life. It was busy, it was wonderful, it was incredibly surreal, and it was very liberating (oddly enough). In a way, it allowed me to be more of me than usual. In another way it was nice knowing that there are people out there who are a bit stranger than I am, if you know what I mean. I decided I'm a nice little mellow mixture of epic fandom extrordinaire. I also learned that I like being me. Oh, and I got to meet Evanna Lynch and get some StarKid Autographs as well as watching AVPSY in 3D (aka real life)!!!! Also in August was my best friend's bachelorette party. We went bowling and had lots of fun.
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| Photo Courtesy of Bobbie M. Bell |
October-- In October I began my Picture Blog. I have really enjoyed doing it even if I haven't been the most consistent with it. A few really interesting stories have stemmed from the pictures I've chosen and I think that it is just a good way to stay creative. Here's the link just in case you haven't been by to visit and puruse through it yet: http://stories-about-pictures.blogspot.com/ Also, I attended a Disney charater birthday Party! I met a lot of new people and had an absolute blast!! It was a throwback to the England fancy dress party days. Oh man, what a brilliant party.
November-- This month was epic. It was stressful, it was rewarding, it was a race, and it was hell in a day. The stress came from Grad School applications and writing my brains out. It was rewarding because I was enjoying my brains out. It was a race because I had to write 50,000 words in 30 days for NaNoWriMo. And, it was hell in a day because I worked a 15 hour shift on Black Friday. Enough said. I am proud and happy to say that I managed 50,070 words in 30 days. I am extremely proud that I managed to churn out 11,000 words in a 17 hour stretch right at the end and finished in time to upload it to the website to be counted and then got to chill out and refresh before going to work that afternoon. Accomplishing that goal was truly wonderful.
December-- As this is my December blog, I guess this is where the updates will be. I'm getting closer and closer to my first Grad School application deadline. My final list of schools to apply to is as follows:
--Murray St. University
--University of Iowa
--Antioch University
--Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
--University of East Anglia
--University of Missouri
--University of Glasgow
Wish me luck in this very competitive program!!! Like I've said before, if I don't get in, I won't be truly heartbroken because I've got my backup plans! And, I think I'm leaning more towards Plan C now. But, I'm going to try my best anyways. Shifting gears, my dad and I went to the midnight premire of the Hobbit (which I loved) and I have now been to see it three times (don't judge). I went with friends to see Skyfall (explosive!) and Life of Pi (which in my humble opinion is not really a children's movie). My aunt (the one we visited in AZ) came to visit for Christmas and it was a nice addition to our family christmas. Also, because of how it all played out, I got a nice little three day weekend for Christmas which seems a bit rare. (Psst: Newsflash/Spoilers. The world didn't end. Sorry to disappoint).
Recap for the books I managed to read this year in the order I read them:
--The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
--Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
-- Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
--The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
--The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson
--The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson
--The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
--Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People who Cook by Anthony Bourdain
--My Life as a Russian Novel: A Memoir by Emmanuel Carrere
--Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi
--The Fecund's Melancholy Daughter by Brent Hayward
--The Petting Zoo by Jim Carroll
--Harry, A History: The True Story of a Boy Wizard, His Fans, and Life Inside the Harry Potter Phenomenon by Melissa Anelli
--I Love a Broad Margin to My Life by Maxine Hong Kingston
--All These Things I've Done by Garielle Zevin
--Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
--The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
--The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
I've discovered so many great things this year. I've learned that
writing is more than just a hobby of mine, its a passion. I've learned
that some things in life will be tough and I've got to keep my head up
and just roll with the punches. I've learned that people change and
they are quite right to. I've learned that not all people change toward
the better and that perhaps with time they might realize where they
have gone and they may try to change that. (But, I'm not holding my
breath). I've learned that things can make me miserable and that even
though I don't like it I can still trudge through it and find light in
the murk. I've learned I can be boring and unhealthy and I don't like
it. So, I'm going to change some of that in 2013. Some people find the new year and resolutions to be ridiculous prospects, but I'm not them, am I? I feel like its a good springboard for new choices and freedoms that can be given. Why not? It's as good a place as any to begin from. So, as this year advances, I would like to be healthy. By this I mean, eat better, excersize a bit more frequently, write as much as possible for the good of my soul. Overall, I want to be a healthier, happier, body, mind, and soul.
In 2013 I want to make some progress in my life. Whether it is through Plan A, Plan Middle, or Plan C. I don't care. I want to do something with my life and all three options put that thought forward. I cannot continue to work retail for more that one reason. Hell, for more than two reasons.
In 2013 I want to catch up on bills and spend less and save a whole lot more. There are many things I wish to do with my life and I can't do them if I'm in debt and have no money saved.
I'm going to LeakyCon again! I am so excited. It's the end of June and its in Portland, OR. I've never been to Oregon and I'm excited. Not to mention I'm not going all by myself this year which will make the financial aspect a bit better for me. I'm taking my mum with me and I'm sure she'll spend her time floating in a pool and being all relaxed and stuff, adult drink in hand. I'm really just looking forward to that a lot.
I'm just looking forward to another year being me. I'm unsure what 2013 will bring for me but it will be exciting to find out and, of course, I will be glad to share it with all of you! Here's to 2013!!
Celebration
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