HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Currently vacationing in the Philippines and I've taken a lot of time to sit, reflect and appreciate. Thank you 2010 for reminding me (among other things):

1. I am deserving of a lot more than what I started to allowed myself to think.
2. God has a plan for everything in my life, trust in that. Nothing has happened without a reason.
3. I choose how I want to play my cards and nothing is ever too far from my reach.

With that, my daily reminders are:

1. Sacrifice more of the stuff that is becoming less important in my life to make room for growth and success.
2. Future is nothing to fret about, worry about today. Maximize today.
3. Live life on purpose.That everything I choose to do, affiliate myself with and surround myself with should be a reflection of me. Do things because they matter to me, say things because I mean it & letting everything else drop off as filler.
4. Patience and hard work.

Cheers to 2011.

count your blessings.

The new year is approaching and I couldn't be any more pumped. I've been reflecting a lot on this past year and though there were some incredible lows and a lot more overcoming than I had anticipated... it was also a whirlwind of triumphs, success, forgiveness and growth.

Some highlights of my year include (in no particular order) :

1) Making it into my final year of COLLEGE! ThankGod.

2) Crossing of my kids, Alpha Class! -- One of the most magical experiences that few are lucky to experience. For a couple months of challenges, stress and sacrifice, I was given a LIFETIME of proud moments to share with my six kids.

3) Elected as President of Chi Delta Theta, Zeta Colony --One of my biggest goals in college fulfilled. A learning experience of responsibility, growth, leadership and adversity. A challenge I appreciate everyday for the lessons I continually get out of this position.

4) Summer with Brit, Mal & Devika. Girlfriends I'll cherish for life, so many life lessons learned this summer.

5) Accomplishment after balancing a GOOD Magazine internship + Primitive Shoes internship + back to back summer sessions, 2 classes each + President. = So much growth and insight into what I am truly capable of.

6) Getting hired at Primitive & joining the Primitive family. My brothers for life. I have one of the dopest jobs on earth!

7) Family triumphs, stability and happiness. You really have to feel the bad to really appreciate the good.

8) WALKING AGAIN & coming back to school. 1 Year anni. of my accident. Celebration and renewed appreciation for this LIFE and taking care of my Self.

9) Finding God once again in my life. Being away from your support system sometimes throws you for a loop, but I'm in a good, safe and happy place now.

10) Rebuilding friendships. --One of the most trying times of my life, but a good laugh now and something I'm glad I learned to get over and understand for what its worth.

honorable mentions: 21st birthday!!!, countless amazing souls I've met this year, Maxwell concert!, being a part of SPCN for the first time, Erykah Badu and Mos Def concert, converting to a MAC, Maloof Money Cup with Primitive fam, quitting my job at the bookstore!!!, VEGAS with my SD loves!!!!!!, moving into my apartment with Devika!, constant growth and maturity, and soooo many more.

& know that...You're gonna let yourself down more times than you want and some of the people that you love the most are going to let you down too, but we must DANCE and LAUGH through life and never carry the weight of our disappointments to keep us from believing, hoping, wishing, and working as hard as we do. -me.

list your blessings & live your life!

Thankful.

No words can explain how much LOVE I feel in my life. No, not the 'so in love with my boyfriend type love' but the type love that manifests itself in every person that I am blessed to still have in this life after SO many years worth of memories and joy. I have fallen in love again with San Diego and all the people who I love here so much.... (among other things/people):

1. For my parents who endure so much but have persevered through EVERYTHING. Who always provide, always have patience, are always forgiving, and always proud of me no matter what. We may not be rich in material wealth, but we have an abundance of LOVE in our family.
   
2. For my brothers, who I c o m p l e t e l y adore and love so so so much. I am so proud of them for where they are now and so lucky to be their lil sis.
   
3. For my childhood friends, who I fell in love with years and years ago. They are unchanging, loving, caring, understanding and the only group of friends I would have ever wished to grow up with. We're 21 & Single now, and I couldn't be any happier living up this crazy year with the CRAZIEST people I know.
   

Hopeful Expectation

My email is full beyond comprehension,
I have slept 7 hours in the past 2 days,
I could be doing better in school (like always),
I've barely planned my 21st birthday,

... yet I'm H A P P Y.

Hopeful expectation is something that I truly live by.
Always work hard at whatever you do and trust that it will lead to great things.

So thank you PRIMITIVE for officially making me part of the fam and giving me the freedom to FINALLY quit my job-of-hell at the UCLA store.
And for the Ladies of CDT for reminding me why I sacrifice so much for a sisterhood. Happy 20 Year Anniversary Chi Delta Theta!

Life is good.
Thank you Lord for all of your blessings.