Thirty-One Days of Photos: Day 22

It's Christmas traveling time.

I managed to get everything wrapped and packed (minus the things I need for tomorrow morning) on time. A little early, actually, which is rare for me. I'm the worst packing procrastinator of all time. Tomorrow it's off to the chilly North, which hopefully means some snow.

Tonight was the last 20s Bible study of the year. This would otherwise be uneventful, save for a few things. First, it was Chris' last night, probably forever. Saying good-bye still sucks, even when you're not the one doing the leaving.

Also, the fact that this was the last study of the year leaves me realizing I never really thought beyond this year. This year was the mountain I was struggling to climb since the night before it began. It was the wall I couldn't see around, and somehow, I made it through. This realization is sort of odd.

Normally I look forward to each new year with thoughts of what it will bring. I think about the things I want, both to receive and to accomplish. I think about the goals that I should have, the plans I want to make. This is the first time I haven't thought about any of these things. It's as though I never looked beyond 2011, and now that 2012 is almost here, it's like I don't know what to do.

In realizing this, I also realized I like it. I think it's a good place for me. I went into 2011 with barely an expectation for the next day, let alone the year as a whole. I went into it blind, with nothing to cling to but my faith in the promise that God would never leave me. In the end, I made it out better, happier and more fulfilled that I would've ever dreamed for myself.

That is how I want next year to be, a blank canvass, ready and waiting for the stories it will hold. I want it to be a surprising web of adventures that I didn't attempt to plan out. I want to go along for the ride and then look back, just like now, and see that it was all about the journey and not at all about the destination.

P.S. - Tomorrow's photo will undoubtedly be somewhat, if not VERY, late due to traveling. I apologize in advance. I will post it as soon as I am able (aka, when Grandma turns her wi-fi on). :)

Thirty-One Days of Photos: Day 21

Tonight we had a little Christmas party for the youth group kids. This included a white elephant gift exchange. This is what the lovely Ashley Kramer got... :)

Not only is it a framed 8x10 of the great Lindsay Bonnell and myself, it's also autographed so that when we're famous, it will be worth lots of money. It's also very festive for this time of year, given our very Christmassy outfits.

I have to say, I absolutely love the high schoolers at our church. They're so great and fun to be around. They make me laugh and think and want to be a better person. I'm really blessed to be able to be a small group leader, sponsor, and friend. I think life would be a lot less interesting if I didn't have them around.

I should get some more packing and present wrapping done tonight. Merry Christmas to all of you! :)

Thirty-One Days of Photos: Day 20

Today was sort of our Christmas celebration at work. This included the culmination of lots of time spent decorating. This was part of my handiwork...

We basically got started decorating, and it eventually turned into the "North Pole News" theme. I cut out all the lettering and snowflakes, and made our little North Pole pole. The twinkling lights definitely made the entire thing come together.

We're competing against the other departments in the building, and we're supposed to find out who won tomorrow. Here's hoping all our hard work, money and energy pays off. (The winner gets a pizza party.)

Otherwise, I'm trying to get a jump on packing and preparing to head off to Michigan for Christmas. Trying being the key word. :)

Thirty-One Days of Photos: Day 19

Today, I honestly didn't think of anything to photograph all day, so my picture is kind of a cop-out...


This is the cute little built-in shelf in my living room. I think it actually used to be a doorway because the back paneling matches my bathroom door. I like it because it adds character to the room--something unique to break-up the sameness of the walls.

It's sort of decorated for Christmas now, with snowy garland, pine cones and little fruit-like pods from a silk floral arrangement. The top photo is of me with my friends Gracie and Heidi during our sophomore year of college before a night out at the Grand Lux. The middle picture is a candid of my bestie, Brandi, on the roof of our college dorm in downtown Chicago. The bottom pictures are of my dog, Mimi, and my family, both taken circa 2008.

I have another, deeper shelf in my living room, it's built into the old dumbwaiter shaft. I remember the first time I learned what a dumbwaiter was, thanks to the book Harriet the Spy. Harriet is spying in someone's house and uses the dumbwaiter to hoist herself from one level to the next. Unfortunately, she is discovered by the maid. I've always had a sort of fascination with dumbwaiters since then.

That's all I have for today. I'll try to have a better photo for tomorrow, hopefully of our workplace Christmas festivities. :)