11 in '11!

I saw this on a friend's blog, and I thought it was too cute not to do myself! Feel free to do it yourself :)


11. Favorite Movie You Watched: 

I'm a nerd, I'll happily admit it. I love Harry Potter and Twilight. I went to see both of them in theater, and I cried when HP was over. It felt like one of the biggest parts of my childhood was now over.... Twilight: Breaking Dawn was very good, as well, but I felt there were some parts that were a little... hokey (i.e. the wolf pack scene...cringe.) But overall it stayed pretty true to the book, and that always makes me happy. Not to mention Kristin Stewart gave us more than just one expression in this movie. Success!

10. Favorite TV Series: 

Ok, so it took me a lot longer to get caught up in it as it did everyone else, but I fell in LOVE with Grey's Anatomy this year. I haven't seen all of the new episodes yet (I don't have TV!), but I've now seen all 170-something episodes offered on Netflix (:

9. Favorite Restaurant: 

Although I can't say it's my favorite restaurant EVER, my favorite restaurant I ate at THIS YEAR is definitely Dave & Busters! It was so much fun!! They need to get one a lot closer to Clemson... Can you imagine how popular it would be around here?? And it probably didn't hurt that I went with some of the most amazing ladies I know! ;-)

8. Favorite New Thing You Tried: 

This semester, I was able to do my first field experience in a public school, and I LOVED IT!!! It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life, by far!! I can't wait for next semester :)

7. Favorite Gift You Got:

I think my favorite "gift" was that from Tri-County, in them sending me to Florida to the NAEYC conference for 5 days, absolutely free of charge! I didn't pay a DIME out of pocket, because everything was either paid for upfront or reimbursed soon after our return. Florida was full of firsts for me, and I had such an amazing time. I am so very, very thankful for such a wonderful opportunity!

I met Steve Spangler... AHHHHH!!!!! :D

6. Favorite Thing You Pinned: 

This is by far the hardest out of the 11!! I have pinned over 2,600 things!! I can't possibly pick a favorite.... so I'll just put a link here to my pinterest :)

5. Favorite Blog Post:  

This girl is AMAZING. I've literally cried reading some of her posts, and she has some of the most amazing ideas for everything from decorating to recipes!

Here's the link!! (the word, not the picture... I'm still figuring all this stuff out!)

4. Best Accomplishment:

Although it may seem silly, and some accomplish this at a very young age, I am so proud of myself for riding on a airplane for the first time in my life! I am TERRIFIED of heights, and always overly paranoid, but I did it! (actually, 4 times, with layovers and whatnot!) I actually enjoyed the trips, but I wouldn't say it's my preferred form of transportation!

3. Favorite Picture:

I think my favorite picture from the year would have to be from mine and Christopher's first trip to the beach together this year! We were just walking around one of the many stores, just he and I, and being goofy with one another, as always. This picture is one of my favorites because it captures his true smile, and he didn't know I was about to take it, so it was an almost candid shot of our fun together. I love with every being of my heart! (:

2. Favorite Memory:

My favorite memory, is, without a doubt, our engagement :) It will always be one of the happiest days of my life!

1. Goal for 2012: 

I actually have several goals for 2012, including graduating from college, pulling off a wedding, and establishing a home with my new husband! I have personal goals as well, such as lose more weight, eat better foods, have more discipline and stay positive. I know 2012 is going to be one of the best years of my life! I can FEEL it :D

I hope everyone else had a great 2011, and had an even better 2012!!

Reflecting

Well, I have to say this has been one of THE most amazing and memorable years of my life so far. I say "so far", because I know many wonderful things await me in the years ahead! Most prominent still in most people's minds right now, I'm sure, are all the goodies they were given over Christmas (or which holiday they choose to participate in). I have to say this Christmas was AMAZING. Not only did I receive some great gifts, but I was able to spend time with almost all of the people dearest to me! NOTHING is more important to me than the family and friends God has blessed me with.

Like I said, the gifts weren't too shabby this year ;-) My wonderful fiance gave me a NOOKColor! For any of those of you who know me and my love for reading, he couldn't have picked a better gift!! I've already downloaded as many (free) books as I could find, and it's become a staple item in my purse (: It does so much more than books, too... I've subscribed to Martha Stewart's Wedding magazine, for $1.00 an issue! So much cheaper than in stores, and they come straight to my NOOK every month. So excited!!

My mom got me a sewing me, and oh sweet Pinterest, here I come!! I cannot wait to get started on some of the amazing projects I've pinned already! So, if you don't hear from me for a few, oh say, weeks... don't worry! I'm probably just reading or sewing. Ahhh.... the joy just the thought of a life like that brings me... (:

I seriously was so blessed this Christmas that I can't even begin to thank all of my friends and family. I was absolutely thrilled with every gift I got!

But the joys of this year weren't just at Christmas time! Probably the BIGGEST and happiest event of this year was the engagement! Christopher did an amazing job with all of it! Not everything worked out as planned, but I wouldn't change a thing. (For our wedding website, with more about the engagement, etc, click here.)

LOVE <3

I also brought home my sweet Zella, although she definitely has her wild and crazy moments. At the same time, my roommate brought home her zany Zoey. The two of them are like two peas in a pod. Both wild and energetic, both kooky and cuddly. I dread the day we have to separate them :(

The girls went we first brought them home! Best friends from the beginning :)

Zella now, 8 months old!

I can't believe how much she's grown!! 

I also got a new car this year, and moved in with the best roommate I could imagine, Megan. She and I get along so well, and it's so refreshing, especially considering the trainwreck roommates I've had before... yikes!! This year has had it's ups and downs, but overall, it's been a great year! I can't wait to see what else is to come (:

Megan (:

Christmas is Almost Here!! :)

No matter how old I get, I can't help getting those giddy butterflies when Christmas is almost here! My mom always made every Christmas so special, and every year it's magic, all over again. This year has been so busy, and I didn't get to decorate the way I would have liked, but Christopher and I DID get to take our first Christmas picture together this year :)

We sent out Christmas cards to friends and family, and it just felt so nice to be able to do that! 

Christopher and I also went to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra for the first time for us both. It was amazing! He loved it just as much as I did! We're already trying to plan when we can go see them again :)

I think my favorite part of the holidays are the treats my mom and I used to make together. She can make some of the MOST amazing fudges and sweets! This year, I gave it a shot, and I think it turned out pretty well. The fudge was a lot easier than I remembered. I'm really psyched to try different flavors now! (Just need more time in the day!!!)

Here is a shot of my Christmas fudge, which I mainly made for my co-workers as their Christmas gifts, but I had a lot left over. Not that my friends and family have seemed to mind...

I think the sprinkles are really what MAKES the fudge :)

And last but not least, my MOST favorite part of Christmas.... giving people awesome presents!! It's really and truly my favorite part. I get SO excited to see people open what I've given them! I'm so ready for Christmas to be here already so I can hand these bad boys out!!

 2 more days! 48 hours! 2,880 minutes!!! (Can you tell I'm excited??)

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas! :)

Here Goes Nothing!

I've been debating a blog for a while now, and finally decided to give it a shot. I don't promise to update it often, or even regularly, but I will update it! I would like to give you a clear idea of the things I'll write about, but even I don't know. My life is filled to the brim with wedding plans, school work, real work, lesson plans, and to make things even more interesting, I decided to throw in a puppy, random craft projects, and mediocre cooking. Not to mention I am also working towards a healthier, happier me. But all in all, I am working towards "awakening my soul", letting the love of my fiance, as well as  the love of my friends and family, fuel me into becoming a better me, in every aspect of the word. And I have to admit, I'm enjoying the journey so far :)