Saying Goodbye to 2009.

Let me start by saying... this has been a challenging year for me! So many people have been there for me, and I cannot thank you all enough!!!

I have overcome soooo much in 2009, and I could not be happier to have a fresh start and welcome 2010 with open arms!

For so much of my life, I was always worried about what people thought of me... and I spent wayyy tooo much time trying to please everyone around me. Even if I knew in my heart-of-hearts I was right and moral, I agreed to something just to avoid confrontation.

That isn't me anymore. I don't think that ever was me. But I tried to make everyone happy, and its high time that I focused that energy on myself... and that is exactly what I intend on doing.

I have found out that life is not about fitting in to a certain crowd, or having opinions JUST because someone else has those opinions. Life is about finding what in this world FITS YOU. How I feel and what my opinions are MATTER.

I am who I am, I love who I am, and I am so happy being who I am. If you don't like it... I wish you the best. I cannot and will not spend life trying to convince someone that I am a good... because I know I am, the people who love and care about me most know I am... and that is ALL that matters.

***Most of my friends know what I have gone through this year- on a social level, and I will not even waste my time re-living it here on my HAPPY blog :), but lets just say that I learned to stand up for myself this year... not in a agressive or mean way... but I formed my own opinion on something and I stood by it. This lesson, to me, is priceless.


***I started my career!! I have talked about the mortgage industry for years, and I finally took the plunge. I love the people that I work with, I love my clients and I LOVE meeting new people.

Each time I learn something new, it makes me soo happy, so empowered...and that happens every day. It is going to take some time to "get out there" and market myself, but I have so much confidence that I am going to be fabulous and I am soo looking forward to it. Shout out to everyone who has supported me throughtout this transition and who always stand by me. <3 I love you all <3

***I started blogging :)... haha it may seem funny, but starting this blog has really helped me. I may not always be posting and I may not always have the most interesting topics, but I'm learning, and that is all that I can ask for. I am always thinking about what to write about, and it helps to examine my life...whether or not I post about it. :) Madeleine, whether or not you want to accept it... I was so inspired by your blog! That is why I started my own :) So thanks for the inspiration! Xoxo

***I have started to truly appreciate the power of a manicure. For those of you who do not understand... I have worked full-time as a bartender for over 4 years. Each day that I would go into work, I would unload boxes and boxes and boxes of liquor, wine, beer, and dry stock items. THIS WAS AWFUL ON MY NAILS...there was no point in even getting a manicure because opening up box after box after box would tear them to shreads. Well, since I've started my day job, I go into bonefish at 6pm...after all the boxes have been put away... so I don't ruin my nails as much by working at bonefish. It is such a simple pleasure to enjoy well manicured nails but I LOVE IT.

***I have "me" time. I set aside time each week to just be me. By myself, usually at a retail store (bahahaha), but its a time to do nothing but wander a store, read a gossip mag, get a pedi, take a walk, or do some yoga. Anything that keeps me from having to focus on anything but me. By the end of it, I feel like my voice sounds weird because I haven't heard it in so long. LOL You know what I'm talking about!!

***Mason Tsakanikas was born!!! Meagan and Andrew Tsakanikas welcomed their 2nd son into the world in September of this year and he is such a little angel. Meagan and I have been friends for 10 years and I am so thankful to have her in my life and I am also blessed to have her wonderful family in my life :) We have been through it all together, and I know that she will always be there for me no matter what. We have SUCH different lives, but we always pick up right where we left off, as if we are still sitting in 9th grade english class. I am sooooo thankful for our bond :) I love you Me-again!

***I spent quality time with my counselor, Miss Lindsay Ray Blanken. She has always talked sense into me when I was a panicked mess and always told me the truth no matter what. It is so important to have honesty in friendships and I am soooo thankful for our friendship. She is a grad student at Johns Hopkins, and I don't know how she does it, but she is one of the smartest people I know...she decided that she is going to continue her education with a Phd, and just hearing those words come out of her mouth made me respect her so much. She is so ambitious and nothing can EVER stand in her way. 187 Dr. Blanken!

***I understand now how priceless my family is. I have the most wonderful, supportive family ever and I love them so much. Each day I thank God for how blessed I was when he chose my family. :)


This year has been full or struggle, but it also has been full of love and support. I look forward to 2010 and cannot wait to make it my best year yet!!!!!!