A Year in Review

Sometimes I wish I was more excitable. All these holidays come and go and somehow they don't feel any different from normal days... well with a bit more family :). I think part of my problem is I don't take the time or effort to actually spend the time thinking about what we are celebrating. So here is my attempt at celebrating New Years.

Many people, especially before facebook and email, would send out Christmas or New Years cards about what they had done that year. Here is my lame excuse of one.... (Just the other day I was thinking how lame these are when people just post them to social media and don't send them out to the people they actually care about, and expect others to do the work for them..... Maybe I will send out emails too).

Anyway. This year:
I spent a long time improving my artistic talents (sometimes paid and most of the time not). This is especially true of vector graphics (using inkscape). I've really enjoyed doing some fun things with it and feeling more confident in saying, "sure I can do that, and if not I can figure it out."
Despite resolutions to the contrary I started writing another book. I like writing... even though I complain about it sometimes.
I found out I still love Nauvoo, Illinois. I went there twice and even though I've been to all the places, in a sense "I've done it all" I still love it there, especially wandering around at night. I think I like walking.
I learned I am a good student, even when I don't have the background I should have in the subjects I'm studying, and I enjoy it to.
I was told I was blunt, and I've come to believe it, but there are some times when it would be helpful if I was more decisive (less scared to be decisive).
I discovered that my heart is not open. I am really bad at loving people, and I think it is because I am so defensive, I try not to feel (because I'm scared of rejection?). I'm working on this.
I learned more about friendship. It's possible. It's nice. It's vulnerable.
I realized I can't do it by myself, and I'm grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ who comes to my rescue when I ask (and sometimes when I don't).

And I still think I think too much. :)

So there is what I learned this year (at least some highlights) and not so much what I did. I look forward (with hope, and excitement and a little fear) to what I will get to learn this next year. It looks a little fuzzy still, but that's as it should be.