Another Birthday, another grey hair, another almost wrinkle

Today is July 20th.  Today is my birthday. (can I get a woot woot).

I am reflecting on my life the past year and am pretty pleased with how things are looking. in fact this year was SO MUCH BETTER  than my previous year!

 In the past year between July 20, 2009 and Today I have really had some adventures!

1. I finally graduated from cosmetology School! That was SERIOUSLY the longest year of my life. It really, truly was. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done !

2. I conquered State Board. Both written and the Practical.  I am an officially licensed Cosmetologist.

3. I got a job in a salon.  It is the perfect little salon for me.  It fits with my schedule, no sundays and the owner is super cool and flexible. It gives me the experience I need  on my resume, and has taught me a lot about opening my own salon one day.

4. I helped plan a cruise for 26 people for my in laws 50th wedding anniversary.  Then I went on said cruise.  I went to Grand cayman where I got to swim with sting rays. They are like Giant Puppy Dogs and love to be held and petted and fed,. Boy do they LOVE to be fed. The SWEETEST giant rays ever! I want one.

I also got to climb on ancient Mayan Ruins in Belize

fulfilling another lifelong dream of mine. We went to the City of Lamanai in Belize, which is near the border of Guatemala.  We were able to explore this city and were able to climb this pyramid.  Yes...that is ONE ROPE to hold onto while you climb to the top.  That it, just one rope.  No railings, no elevators, no WARNING YOU CAN FALL AND DIE signs. Just a rope.  Why isnt America more like this?? in Belize they say "Ok this is a tall pyramid with steep steps. Here is a rope.  this is obviously dangerous, use your judgement I am not going to hold your hand or get sued because you are stupid".

I was able to do some amazing snorkeling in Grand Cayman, Honduras and Mexico. The water was SO BLUE, and the weather was just delightful, I could easily see myself living in the Caribbean and being perfectly happy with that.

5. We were able to go to Louisiana again and see our donor family.  We were at the Lafayette General Memorial Hospital with them to present the Hospital with their National Medals of Honor for their commitment to Organ Donation.  We were on the news and in the papers.  It was a good day for Organ Donation. We also were able to spend time with their family and let them enjoy Peter.  Not to mention we enjoyed some wonderful cajun Food!!

6. Peter was asked to be on the cover of the National Newsletter for Donate Life America. This annual report card went to every organ agency across the country.  My friend, rebecca taylor (a fantastic photographer ) took pictures for the cover.  Peter and Devans Story was also featured in the newsletter. It was really a great thing

7.  I fulfilled another item on my Bucket List.  I went to Colonial Williamsburg!  When I was about 5 years old my dad bought me a set of World Book Encyclopedias. With this set came the Childcraft books and one of those books was "Places To Know".   The book was basically "this is a palce you should try and visit because it is really cool". They had all the ancient wonders and natural wonders, cool museums, buildings etc.  One of them was Colonial Williamsburg.   So Here I am, recreating the picture from my Childcraft book, locked in the stocks!

8. I am planning on going to Las Vegas next September with some girlfriends!! so there is something fun I am looking forward to and planning!  I am also planning a disney cruise for our family  for the following spring break!   So working and saving up money for all that! It makes me excited knowing I have something to plan and something to look forward to.

So Bring it on! This Old Lady still has a lot left in her!!

Dear Blogger...

Hello, friend.  are you happy to see me?  Have you missed me?  Have you thought about our times together?
Are you wishing things could go back the way they were?
Yeah, me too.
Oh Blogger, how I have missed THIS.

So B, I have to say what an exciting and super crazy year I have had.
I graduated from Empire(woo hoo, Now I can do hair LEGALLY and not feel like a criminal), I went on a cruise to the Caribbean with the love of my life and his entire family, I made and broke New Year Resolutions, I found a job in a salon, I reconnected with old friends, I was a bridesmaid at my dear friends wedding, my van engine went ka-put forever, and I neither gained weight(nor lost the 40 pounds I wanted to).

School was really hard. Drama. Drama. Drama. I was so tired and ready to be done with it. I needed 1530 hours to graduate.  Once I hit 1200, I felt like I had hit this WALL. I was unmotivated and tired and grouchy and ugly. I didnt want to deal with clients, I didnt want to do ANYTHING. I felt like I was STUCK for weeks.  But I finally did it. And now I have a diploma, have taken and passed my written, have my practical scheduled and am currently working in a salon with my temp license.

The Cruise was Amazing. Charles parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, and they went on a cruise with all 10 of their kids and their spouses and a grand-daughter and a few close friends. We went to Grand Cayman, Honduras, Belize and Mexico.  I got to swim with giant Sting Rays, snorkel to my hearts content, climb on ancient Mayan ruins, and get called "Hey Pretty Lady" by every vendor in Cozumel.
I got sunburnt, lost too much money in the casino, and thought I brought home a special 9 month souvienir.(Thank Goodness it was just a false alarm)

I made several GREAT  New Year Resolutions and promptly broke them all within a matter of 2 months.

I went to a wedding in chicago, where I was a Bridesmaid and the Brides hair Dresser. I had such a great time being there and seeing old friends and making new ones. I loved going back and having fun and partying with the gang. This Old Bird has still got it.

so all in all 2009 was wonderful. But I suspect 2010 will be AMAZING