A New Year, A New Beginning.

I can't believe it's already time for a new year already. I feel like 2009 just started. Why does it seem every year, it goes by faster and faster? Jeez, slow down a little, life!

This year, by far, was one of the best of my life. There were a handful of letdowns, but every year has to have them, or there would be nothing to look forward to, nothing to make better, nothing to live for.

I challenged myself to limits I didn't think I had. Never would have thought I could do sales, but I excelled, nonetheless. Never thought I could take on the hardest semester in the history of my schooling, but did it, nonetheless. (My GPA for the semester was the lowest it's ever been, but I'm happy for what I got because of how hard I worked for it.) Never thought I could get past running only 4 miles in one single run, but did it, nonetheless. Never thought I could be so depressed in my life, but pick myself up, but did it, nonetheless.

I've said this in the past, but I really grew up this year. I'm so happy how well (for the most part) the year turned out. I've learned what's really important in life and to not let the little things get to me. I've learned how to express my feelings right when I'm feeling them. I've learned that some people just gradually become a thing of the past. I've learned that I don't need a boy to make me happy. I've learned that sometimes holding onto the past isn't necessarily a bad thing. I've learned that no matter what I set my mind to, I can achieve it, no matter how long it takes me.

I'm hoping all of the things I accomplished this past year lead to even greater things for 2010. However, this may seem superstitious, but my "even" years (2004, 2006, 2008) seem to be more disappointing and more emotional years then my "odd" years (2005, 2007, 2009). Hopefully this pattern will end this year! 2010 is the beginning of a new year, a new decade, a new beginning. And I say, BRING IT ON.

Invincible

So I went snowboarding yesterday for the first time of the season and I was beyond excited. At the end of last winter, I tried my first jump. But I only got so far. Yesterday, I figured, why not? Let's do this.

I started off with a baby jump..no big deal. I landed it each time. Pretty basic. Then I was convinced by my friends to move up to the bigger one. I started off going up the jump very slowly so I knew what I was getting myself into. I landed it twice. I figured, alright, let's go a little faster. So I tried it a few times going faster and wiped out every time, barely getting any air. Then after countless tries, I did it again, got some air, and landed. I was ecstatic. That's when I got this notion I was invincible. Not really sure why that happened, but I was like okay, I'm going to go even faster now. I got some momentum going down the hill and up the jump. That's when it happened.

I hit a groove at the tip of the jump, causing me to tumble and fly mid air onto my back. I landed on my tailbone and my head smacked back and hit the ground. The wind got knocked out of me and I gasped. My 2 friends that had been watching me yelled from down the hill, asking if I was okay. Tears filled my eyes as I tried to muster "no." I closed my eyes and soaked in the pain. My left arm tingled and for a moment I thought I was paralyzed. I immediately thought of myself in a wheelchair. It scared the crap out of me so I tried moving my legs. They moved. My arms were moving. My back ached in pain and I felt it shooting through my entire body. After about 5 minutes of laying on the ground and answering a series of questions from my friends, I managed to get up. Mind you, I was only halfway down the hill, so I was expected to snowboard down the rest of it. I thought about asking for one of those snowmobile things that the First Aid people could carry me on, but told myself just to get down the hill as soon as possible so I could go straight to the car.

I made it to the car and I sat there waiting for my other friends going over and over in my head that epic fall. And still that I couldn't wait until I go snowboarding again. It amazes me that even if you fail at something, you just want to keep going. I'm not one to give up. I usually try my hardest to get/do something until I actually get/do it. Life's about taking chances, just as snowboarding is.

I remember when I first started snowboarding. It was seriously pathetic. Junior of high school..my boyfriend at the time didn't even want to teach me because I was so horrible. It took my a few times of going to various ski resorts to actually get the hang of it. I got a high off it though; it was exhilarating going down the slopes, feeling the whipping wind hit my face and gliding on the snow like I was on a cloud. I still get that feeling each and every time I stand at the top of the slope and make my way down. It's been 4-5 winters now that I've been snowboarding, and each and every time I challenge myself.

First it was actually getting up on the board. Then it was actually getting down the hill. Then it was learning how to actually stop. Then I learned how to carve the past 2 winters. And this winter, my goal is to land as many jumps as I can. Practice makes perfect and I'm not going to let a painful fall stop me from achieving it.

Shoot.

I had to attend a conference for my job at Electric Beach two weekends ago, and this is probably the last video I thought the speaker would show. But after watching it, I knew I had to share it with all of you:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjTob53BElQ

Life is unexpected. And after watching this video, I realized that nothing is impossible.

We all have our doubts. Doubts we can't get through the day. Doubts we can't succeed. Doubts that people actually care about us. Doubts that we'll fall in love. Doubts that we can't accomplish that far-to-reach goal.

But I think that's a bunch of ludicrous. We have to dig deep inside ourselves and realize "YES WE CAN." (Sorry for the Obama campaign slogan.) But really..the impossible is achievable if you just believe in yourself.

My friend Caroline told me to sign up for the Illinois Half Marathon since I wasn't able to do it this past summer. I told her I wasn't sure I could do it. But she said only four simple words: YOU CAN DO IT.

People probably thought that J Mac wouldn't even make a shot when he was put into the game. But J Mac took all the shots he could take, and after two, succeeded one after the other after the other.

Just like J Mac, if we don't take all the shots of challenges and opportunities handed to us, we'll just all be sitting together on the bench. Or we'll be running around aimlessly, just hoping something will happen to help us get through the game of life. So no matter what you think is holding you back, GO FOR IT.

If you need a little help along the way, your teammates will be on the court with you. If you need to buy some time, dribble the ball a little. If you need to help another out, defend him. And if you're ready, and you're handed that ball, don't hesitate. Shoot.