I should be...

Doing homework.
Cleaning.
Doing Laundry.
And a million other things.

But it's cold outside,the sky is crying ice, and I have been in sweat pants since I heard the news our very last dress rehearsal was cancelled. I think a nice evening inside baking cupcakes and reading the Bible curled up on the couch sounds better than any of those "should be"s. Maybe that makes me slightly irresponsible. Or maybe it makes me wise. I pick wise...it makes me feel better about myself. Either way. I needed this little vacation. It might be sad that a vacation for me is to not worry about homework, actually have time to clean the bathroom, eat pizza, and bake cupcakes. Yep. Splendid splendid mini vacation. Although after I finish this post and my Bible reading, I will probably end my vacation with reading in my literature bok or cleaning my room.

I have decided my word for the year is "enjoy". I need to enjoy things more. So far so good.

10 Things I Enjoyed this week
1) Crisp winter air
2) Suspender dances in the dressing room with Maddy
3) Sweat pants
4) Miss Prism clothes
5) Backstage couch whisper chats
6) Choir
7) No Motlow
8) Snow (no matter how little)
9) Friend hugs
10) Those few quiet moments

Now I'm off to continue my luxury vacation with putting clothes away and icing cupcakes. Good Thursday Evening all! Come see The Importance of Being Earnest at the MAC!

Reflections

I have to say. I like writing these little "reflections". It brings back so many memories and wonderful gushy feelings as well as helps me take note of current.

School started again on Wednesday and it did not hold back. I find I've been going nonstop...until I fall asleep in an inconvenient place/time and/or position. I'm not kidding, sadly. Thursday, I came home all set to do some homework, sat on the couch and promptly fell asleep, work in lap. Yeah. I got a whole lot done. But I have to say, today's accidental nap takes the cake. I was at rehearsal in the back row of the theater. I was supposed to be observing Act I and yelling at people if they weren't loud enough... I watched the first few minutes only to wake up right before it ended slumped over the red fuzzy theater seat next to me. I was just draped over the seat, drooling away... I realized then I need to take a moment to slow down so maybe I'll stop falling asleep without realizing. Or...maybe I'm slightly narcoleptic? Who knows. But this has to stop.

I kind of understand the spontaneous napping. I guess my body is just...done after a day of:
6:00 a.m. Wake up, eat breakfast, watch news.
6:30 a.m. Get ready for school
7:20 a.m. Leave for school, Tina in tow. (or..Tina and leaves and I'm in tow depending on the week)
7:40ish a.m. enter school. Chat until class
7:45-2:00 School.
2:00-4:30 homework & cook
4:30-4:45 eat.
4:45-4:50 get ready
5:00-7 or 8:00 rehearse
8:00-10:00 wind down, do some chores, more homework, and daily Bible reading.
10:00 bed. (although yesterday I went to bed at 8:30 and was easily asleep by 8:33)

Repeat.
Or today.
Get up.
Work out.
Grocery shop.
Rehearse.
Eat.
Bathe.
Sleep.

So, yeah. Things are kind of nonstop. But, really, I don't mind. I will mind by next week, I promise. Right now, though, I can tolerate it, and almost even ENJOY it. I am making myself enjoy it, because this routine and way of life will be gone come the end of May. It'll become a summer routine which will then morph into a whole new, foreign routine. I might as well enjoy it while it lasts.

As I have gotten older, I have slowly learned to live in the moment. To stop thinking so much about tomorrow and suck the wonder out of today, because...I can't get it back. Plus, if I keep thinking about tomorrow, when it is tomorrow, I'll be thinking about the day after tomorrow and never even enjoy tomorrow to begin with! Vicious cycle, eh? When I got out of the tub, the Christmas tree was gone. I think this is the earliest we've ever taken it down... I always hated to see it go, and with it the feeling of Christmas. But it has gotten to the point to where, yes. I like Christmas. No, love Christmas. But I love the other 364 days, too. So I'm ready for the cycle to start again and don't mind to wait another year. Growing up is funny.

I leave you with the message of my favorite mug (which I painted with my favorite Kristina!):
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5

And because I didn't really reflect on anything, I leave you with these visual reflections.











There. Enjoy my cuteness.

"For endings, as it is known, are where we begin."

(the quote in the title is taken from the last episode of Pushing Daisies)

It is 2012. A new beginning, in a sense. A new beginning I have discovered I need...It seems like the past few years have come to a welcome end rather than a nostalgic closing. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to wish my life away. It has just been nice to get a way from the tough times and think there is another chance ahead. Because, in reality, it is a new chance. 2011 didn't end...2012 just began. And I am so excited. And scared. But that's ok. I think this will a good year. I mean...when you ring it in with these people, how can it not be?











Happy New Year, everyone. Here's to happiness and excitment in 2012!