These frames are designed by two of our school’s alumni who just happen to be the designers of several of the pairs of glasses that Randy Jackson has worn on American Idol.  I love them!  They are so funky and fun.

I gotta admit, I am kind of coveting this pair. The Gladys:

They even do frames for kids:

How adorable are these Harry Potter-esque glasses?

Stretched thin, for sure. But graduation is behind us, and I can finally look ahead to some of the fun things coming up with anticipation instead of stress. (Chicago, look out, I’m coming back! And I’m bringing Josh with me!)

Saturday, as the tornado sirens blared (from FOUR in the morning until TWO the next morning, AWESOME), we celebrated with my dad his nearly 28 years of service to the police department.  And as we watched the news and saw the families affected by the flood waters rising all around our community, I was once again reminded how lucky we are.  Lucky that none of us had any flood/tornado damage.  That my dad put his life on the line for so many years on the department and was never seriously injured.  Lucky to have a job that I love, even when it gets crazy busy.

When things pile up and get overwhelming, it is sometimes hard to remember life is good.  But how can it not be when you have a buddy to play Christmas-Chicken-Tug-of-War?

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?

Lots! I officially started my photography business and shot a full-blown wedding (post coming soon, promise!) and several portrait sessions.

I shot over 400 yearbook portraits, tons of events, and both graduation and convocation ceremonies for the college I work for. Oh! And I got to meet and photograph Oscar winner Kathy Bates when she visited our clinic!

I also attended a Vietnamese/Buddhist Remembrance Gathering. We were invited by a family friend whose wife is Vietnamese. The ceremony was in honor of her mother, and it was probably one of the most interesting cultural events I have ever attended. There was incense and monks and gongs and food. Oh, the food. Yum. It was such a cool experience.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Last year’s resolution was to drink more water and less Coke Zero, and although I did a better job mid-way through the year, lately I have been running through Coke Zero like it’s, well, water. So I’m gonna say no, I didn’t really keep that one.

2010 resolutions, hmm. I guess this drink more water, less Coke Zero thing will stay on the list until I can kick it. One thing I hope to do a better job of this year is to stay on top of my personal to-do list. I always meet my work deadlines, but when it comes to personal stuff, it is a lot easier to let things pile up.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Like last year, hoping I don’t offend anyone by forgetting an important birth, but…I don’t think so?

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Thankfully, no

5. What countries did you visit?

I didn’t leave the US this year, but I’ve got my passport ready for 2010!

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

Sweet potato casserole! Seriously! That is one of my favorite holiday foods and it was absent from every single holiday gathering we attended this year. The kind with pecans! NOT marshmallows. That said…I mentioned this one last year, but it still applies: stronger willpower!

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

May 1st- My first graduation ceremony was the single biggest event I have ever had to photograph, (until Oct. 1) and I stressed about it for MONTHS! I was so nervous.

August 9th- I shot a big wedding! This wedding was one of the most important events I have ever had to photograph, and I stressed about it for MONTHS! I was so nervous.

October 1st- My first convocation ceremony was the single biggest event I have ever had to photograph, and I stressed about it for MONTHS! I was so nervous.

See a theme here? Ha. Other important dates: lots of weddings this year! July 11th, October 10th, October 17th, October 24th (yeah, that was three back-to-back weddings! Josh and I were each in one, too!)

September 11th, the Katies and I boarded a train to Chicago! Super fun girl trip.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I really stepped out of my comfort zone a lot this year! If you would have told me two years ago that I’d be shooting weddings, graduation ceremonies, etc I would have never believed it. SCARY is what that was.

But I am so glad that I faced the fear and used it to motivate myself to do the best job I possibly could, and I am so much more confident in my abilities. I’m trying to teach myself that by doing scary, out-of-my-comfort-zone things, I am growing into a more well-rounded person. 2009 was one of the most rewarding years of my life.

9. What was your biggest failure?

I have completely failed at getting myself organized. This might come as a shock to people who have worked with me because I am about as organized as you can get when it comes to work. I have to-do lists and spreadsheets and timelines down to a fine art.

But come over and look at this stack of personal paperwork in my home office. Or wait, please don’t. Let me just shove it in a closet or hide it under a coat or something.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I don’t think I got sick even once! I did give myself a real-life, actual blister on my thumb from playing too much Super Mario Brothers on the Wii. I know, I am ridiculous.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

iPhone! iPHONNNNNNNNNNEEEEE. OMG. How, HOW did I ever live without one???

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

You know, I’ve worked for the college a little over a year, and I have to say, our students, faculty, and staff really are some of the best, most giving people I have ever been around. They make me want to be a better person. That sounds really cheesy, but it’s true.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

I have absolutely no respect for anyone who could ever participate in any form of animal cruelty. A local shelter was in the news recently after workers let animals just starve to death. Sick.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Bills! Fun.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Flying to Arizona to shoot my friend Jen’s engagement photos (post coming soon!), hitting Chicago with the girls, upcoming trips. (yep, I am one vacation-motivated girl!)

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?

Vampire Weekend – Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa. I love this song! At first I kind of hated it, but then all of the sudden, I LOVED it.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?

Happier!

b) thinner or fatter?

Fatter :( Not too much, but time to work on it!

c) richer or poorer?

About the same.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Relaxing, reading.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Stressing, falling asleep early!

20. How did you spend Christmas?

The usual family stuff. This year they were spread out over the month a little more, which was nice.

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?

Well, after 10 years I still love Josh!

22. What was your favorite TV program?

Lost, Greek, Big Love, How I Met Your Mother, oh, there are so many! I’ll stop there.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Nope

24. What was the best book you read?

I loved The Thirteenth Tale, was absolutely spellbound by The Stolen Child, and bawled my eyes out at The Book Thief, Edgar Sawtelle, and The Art of Racing in the Rain (in a good way.)

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Satellite radio. BEST thing EVER, OMG. I cannot believe it took me this long to get one, but I LOVE it.

26. What did you want and get?

To travel to new places (Arizona, Chicago)

27. What did you want and not get?

A beach vacation :( I’ll be getting one in 2010 though!

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

There were three movies I saw this year that I think I could watch over and over. Star Trek (and I have NEVER been a Star Trek fan,) The Hangover, and Avatar. All three, amazingly awesome, though Star Trek is the only one I saw in the theater multiple times, so I guess it is the winner. (Though I am already thinking about making another trip to see Avatar again! OMG so good.)

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I was shooting a wedding! Hardest I’ve ever worked on my birthday! I was 27.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

More free time!

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

Does it fit? Is it comfortable? Works for me. I’m not out to set any trends.

32. What kept you sane?

Josh! My friends. My family. My dog.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Did you SEE Chris Pine in Star Trek? Hot damn.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

I try not to get too wrapped up in politics, but I will say some of the local politics can be pretty gross/disappointing.

35. Who did you miss?

I was really sad to see my friend Jen move so far away, but I am so happy for her and the life she and Clint are starting in Arizona!

36. Who was the best new person you met?

Hmmm, hard to choose. I met a lot of people this year!

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.

Just because the thought of tackling something seems scary, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go for it!

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Quoting songs is kinda corny, but how about “BOOM BOOM POW?” Lol. It has been a crazy year.