A Year in Review....... And Some Resolutions

 

2011 has been a year of big changes. It's gone by so fast I can hardly believe it. It seems like each year goes faster and faster and I can hardly believe I'm already at the end of yet another wonderfully full and busy year. Looking back, I can't believe how much has happened and how much I've changed over the course of one short year. Since so much has happened, I thought I'd share a few highlights and favorite moments of 2011. 

My Internship: I had the wonderful opportunity to intern at the LDS Motion Picture Studio in the Casting Department for the duration of my senior year. Although I actually started it in 2010, I interned there until May of this year and it was a fantastic experience. I got to be involved in the casting of the New Testament Videos  as well as a few other projects for the church. I was able to work with some amazing people and I learned so much as a result. 

Turning 18 on the 18th: I'm sure this is a big moment in everyone's life, turning 18 that is, and it just happened to be my Golden Birthday which made it extra special for me. My siblings also enjoyed reminding me that I can now officially go to "Big Person Jail". A few other things that you can do when you're 18 are vote, be kicked out of your parent's house and anything else that says 18 and up. However, I still have to sit at the "kid's table" for holidays. Go figure. 

Graduating High School: Definitely a momentous occasion, and I was definitely ready to be out of there. I enjoyed my high school years, but it was time to move on. Graduating was great, and it was cool to see three of my closest friends give speeches. It was also great to know that I never had to go back there again. So long PHS!! 

NYC with my Bestie: It was my senior trip courtesy of my wonderful parents. They were saints to take two teenage girls to New York City, and it was an unforgettable experience. We went to the Statue of Liberty, walked the Brooklyn Bridge, saw Wicked on Broadway, had Breakfast at Tiffany's, went to the top of the Empire State Building and rode bikes in Central Park just to name a few. An amazing trip to say the least.

Moving Out and Starting College: Probably the biggest change of the year, but also the most exciting. I moved into a dorm on campus and started my freshman year at BYU. Being on my own has been a big change but it's one I've definitely enjoyed. I've made so many friends and I have a fantastic roommate. Starting college has been another huge change, and it's really different than high school, at least for me. One interesting difference I've noticed is that in high school, you wait all week for the weekend so you can hang out with your friends. In college however, you (or at least I) would hang out with friends every night and then use the weekend to get caught up on everything. Also, the amount of homework I've gotten in college is way more than I ever got in high school. Despite the amount of homework, I've really enjoyed my first semester of college. 

Finishing My First Semester of College: Pretty self explanatory, and definitely worth celebrating. I survived!!! And got pretty decent grades, all A's and B's. One down, seven (or more) to go! 

Reflecting on this past year also gets me thinking about this year coming up. I've always loved the concept of a New Year, a fresh start. As one of my all time favorite characters Anne Shirley says "Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it." I think this applies to the New Year as well. A New Year is a blank slate, an opportunity to start over. Which is why I also love the concept of New Year's Resolutions. I've made them every year without fail since I was about eight, and I'll continue to make them until I'm old and senile. Here are some of my....... 


New Year's Resolutions for 2012: 

1. Save half of every paycheck for a study abroad.

2. Go to the Temple at least once a month.

3. Be consistent in my workout routine.

4. Read the Book of Mormon every day.

5. Keep my room clean.

6. Get to bed at a decent hour.

7. Try something new at least once a month.

8. Do Random Acts of Kindness regularly. 

9. Learn to sew.

10. Read more books and watch less TV.

11. Learn to cook.

12. Do a creative project at least once a month.

13. Take time to relax.

14. Develop better study habits. 

15. Spend more time doing constructive things than on the internet. 

16. Eat healthier.

17. Focus on acting.

18. Smile!

19. Stop worrying about what other people think about me.

20. Get out of my comfort zone. 

Resolutions. Now the hard part will be remembering to keep them, but the fun part is actually achieving the goals I've set for myself. Wish me luck! And good luck with all of your resolutions!

Love, Brontë