Each Day, Month, and Year

Each day I find myself saying out loud, "That made my day!" Smiling and laughing to myself how such insignificant things during your day can make you smile and be the highlight of that day. Now that I work full time and have no school or homework to occupy my free time I find life a gets a little redundant and that's when I'm at work and I find these insignificant things that are brighten my day!

Each month I live and breath for book club. Book club is my redemption and it lifts my spirit for the next two weeks. Unlike other social gatherings I never have to worry about socializing with strangers and introducing myself and getting to know other people. At book club I fall into an instant comfort zone and thus able to be myself-outgoing and engaging. I do best in small groups. Each time I go to a meeting I find myself laughing harder than I've ever laughed all month. I laugh myself to tears. Sometimes I go to book club at 7 and Drew asks, "So should I expect you home at 10pm or 10:30pm?" It's my girls night out. I read books I fall in love with that I might not otherwise ever picked up. If ever you need to bond with me just bring up books... I could speak forever about books.

Just this last meeting the book we discussed was "Endurance" of Shackleton's expedition in Antarctica and the host said this was the first book that taught her to love reading simply for enjoyment sometime in college. I thought how odd it was that for high school reading materials to turn off students from reading (perhaps they know no other material alternatives than "The Old Man and The Sea"?). I can remember growing up and all I wanted was to be like my sisters and so I read what they read. I read mostly Science Fiction/Fantasy, but also went to the library at school often in search of different books. I can't remember a time when I haven't enjoyed reading for pleasure. I suppose I have my parents to thank for building and keeping a library down in the basement where I could get books. Every night I would read before I went to bed. And even today it is so bad that I can't go to bed without reading my body's so well trained. We've also discussed the many different reasons people read. I read to escape. That's probably why I like fiction and sci-fi and fantasy so much and reading in general... to escape into a different world and setting.

Each year I am more and more appreciative of the new year. Without a new semester starting fall/winter/spring/summer I look forward to January to start something new. Last new year I posted a blurb of my year in review and what I was looking forward to. I know that 2009 wasn't quite as busy as 2008, but it felt like it just flew by. I like to refer to 2009 as the year of travel...and weddings. It seems like we were all over the place. Both of Drew's siblings were married in Utah so we took two trips out there within a month of each other. My best friend was also married in Idaho so we went up to Rexburg in November. For our anniversary we stayed local, but our brightest highlight was our trip to Italy. I love to travel with Drew. I can't imagine having more fun with any one person, he is still my best friend. It turned into much more than we hoped for. It was utterly romantic and refreshed our marriage. Last year was also our first whole year in Reno and we are so happy to live close to his parents and grandparents. We are constantly hanging out with them enjoying summer activities, the Reno River Festival, baseball games, and I couldn't forget Vikingsholm.

When you travel you get antsy to get on the road again. This year it seems like our calendar is already rapidly filling up with trips we need to save for. In May we are going to Anaheim for 4 days and we'll be going to Disneyland. It will be my first time and I'm anxious to see what all the hub bub is about. It looks like I'll also be able to go to Washington D.C. this year in the summer. We are also going camping in Tahoe and a trip to San Fransisco (it's only 3 hours away after all). I've never done any of these things so it will be a year of firsts for me! :) Again I am so excited for another year I can hardly wait to see everything and I can't wait for another year together. Marriage to Drew just keeps getting better. Even though sometimes I find myself scared of what the future might bring and what new trials await us around the bend... it is hope that keeps me looking forward for the future. It's going to be another exciting day/month/year!