Feliz Ano Nuevo!

Well, the NYE party last night was fun, and both of my fears were dispelled - we had a good crowd, and I was pleasantly buzzed and not drunk. Yeah! We had 11 people at our friend's house, and we watched a funny movie, played games, had Skittle vodka and gummy bears, hot tubbed, and played Rock Band and Dance Central. I didn't go to bed until 5:00 a.m.! Unheard of for me!

And now I will commence with the usual New Year's post... looking back, looking ahead. I know it's cliche, but I think it's fun so I don't care.

The last decade was a big one for me...

• Graduated high school
• Fell in love
• Moved many times: Creston to Maryville to Ames to Des Moines to Clear Lake
• Met lots of new friends in college
• Traveled to Germany, France, and Spain
• Graduated college
• Landed my first job
• Donated eggs
• Married my first love, Caleb
• Started a job in the field I want to stay in (pretty good if you want to work in non-profits)
• Ran a half marathon

I think the saddest part of the decade was the loss of people close to me and close to people I love. The suicides were the worst - my uncle, a childhood friend, my best friend's father, and other people in the Creston community. These deaths had (and continue to have) a profound impact on the way I view the world. I still hurt, mostly for the people more affected by them than me.

I am looking forward to the next decade. I'm proud to say that I have put into motion some of these things already:

• Graduate school starting in January 2011
• Honeymoon in Mexico in February 2011
• Lady Gaga in March 2011
• Moving up with my job
• More races, especially half marathons
• Travel to other countries (Europe 2012?)
• Babies (not starting on that one yet)
• Future House (to have huge closets, carpeted floors, and a garage, wherever it may be)

I'm sure that the next decade will have its sadness as well, but I'm looking forward to all the good. I'm so grateful for my amazing husband, who I am madly in love with, my family that keeps growing (exponentially thanks to the Carrolls - but especially hoping for a new nephew or niece next year!), and my awesome friends, who I don't see enough of.

I'm glad to say, at the beginning of 2011, I'm so happy it's kind of sickening. I hope you are, too.