okay, so this is a little bit overdue.
i'm thinking back to january of last year.. and holy cow. So much has changed, and even better - so much has stayed consistent.
throughout my 16 years of life, one of my greatest struggles it to keep things in my life consistent and under control. Whether it be in friendships, feelings, or situations. I have handled this sense of control in many ways - both unhealthily and healthily. This past year I have found out more of who I am, and more importantly, who I have the potential to be.
highlights of 2012
I turned sixteen on March 22nd. My wonderful friend (Kelsi) threw a surprise birthday party for me. Let me tell you, it was a SURPRISE. She kidnapped me and took me downtown to the planetarium and to dinner with a few close friends. Afterwords, we went back to her house to "watch a movie". Somehow I didn't even suspect anything when I saw a cake in her kitchen with my name on it? I literally screamed and collapsed when I saw all of the people cooped up in her basement.
I went on my first date last year! It was the best first date I could have asked for... really. The day after my sixteenth birthday happened to be prom, and I was lucky enough to go with James - he's not only asian, but a CUTE asian and one of my best friends! We went go karting and dressed up pretty for a japanese dinner. Looking back on that day just makes me smile.
This summer I had the opprotunity to go to EFY - Especially For Youth - in Salt Lake City with my best friend. We met so many people there, and we are still in touch with all of them. I love the people and leaders I met there, and will truly remember EFY as one of the best weeks of my life.
Also in the summer, I was able to work at Plato's Closet about 30 hours a week. I learned time management and how to deal with difficult situations. I worked away my summer, but it definitely pulled off and I put a big chunk of my money into my "SAVE FOR ECUADOR" fund.
Speaking of Ecuador... this year I made the decision to do a humanitarian trip to Ecuador! We will be building orphanages and caring for the disabled kids there. That will be Summer 2013, this summer, and I am still working to save for it. I truly cannot wait.
Facepainting has become a pretty big part of my life this past year! My neighbor happpens to be a professional face painter, and she has taught me techniques and tricks that have really enhanced my ability to paint quickly and with better control of the brush. I painted this year for school events, at Gardner Village, church events, and community fairs. It's a fun way to earn some extra money, and I absolutely love the opprotunity to expand my creativity.
This past year I became DECA secretary! The other DECA officers and I work so well together and we were able to pull off the Riverton Invitational Premiere - a DECA competition throughout the region that was held at Riverton High School. It's been so fun to be a part of the biggest club in the school! It really tunes into the business side of me and I love it.
I recieved a new calling in my church! I got called to be a part of Special Needs Mutual. It's a program where a few teens from each stake are partnered with a member who has special needs - and together we learn about the gospel and it's teachings. My special needs Friend, as we call them, is named Tiffany. She has changed my life. You go into the program thinking that you will benefit their life and they will learn so much from you... when it is really the other wasy around. Tiffany is beautiful and has taught be more about love, kindness, patience than any other person I know. She teaches by example. She teaches me by the way she lives. She lives 100% for other people, and is always concerned about my well being. I am so blessed to have met her this passed year, and I am so blssed to be a part of that program.
Of course, every year there are plenty of new people to meet. This year I have made so many new friends and I am thankful for all of them! I actually recieved the 'Social Award' for first quarter, and it is so fun to meet and learn people's stories.
I joined Peer Leadership Team! Oh my goodness this has been one of the things I am so grateful for this year. Through PLT, I am so involved in the school and the community. I volunteer at Kauri Sue Hamilton - a school for kids with mental and physical disabilities - once a week, and I have found a new adoration for these kids and causes to help them. PLT also got me really involved in Silver Rush, which I will forever look back on with fond memories.
Silver Rush 2012 was one I will never forget. I took nearly the whole month of December off, and spent it knocking on doors in the freezing cold doing "odd jobs" for donations. The charity our student body officers chose this year was the Haley Bell Blessed Chair Foundation. This charity provided wheel chairs for families in the area who were unable to afford them. This really touched home with me because of members in my family who are in wheelchairs. To provide something that would benefit the rest of their life is something that our whole school worked to achieve. At the end of the three weeks, we raised over $125,000 for this charity. When the "Banner of Love" rose with the number, the whole student body collapsed and cried. The air was thick with love and exhaustion and it was one of the best feelings ever. I wish I could relive that moment again!
Wow, you never truly know how blessed you are until you take a thorough look at your life! There is so much more I could have put into this list of highlights... but I know y'all don't care that much about my life. I'm never sure who reads this and who doesn't, but whoever you are - you are pretty great!
Here's to a great 2013, eh?
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