26

It is almost 2am on my BIRTHDAY!!!

I was in Seattle a year ago from this second. I was in Seattle visiting Tipton, who I will always love and admire, and her girlfriend at the time, Sara. I needed a vacation-a mini break from life- and they were kind enough to have me.

A year ago from right this second, I was out with Leah and Miska-friends that I met out here on an earlier trip to Seattle. They took me to a place where I was sung to and danced with that had really good food-but the name of the place is slipping my mind. When I got back to Tipton and Sara's place I went right to sleep but woke up early the next day (which was my birthday!!!) to have a phone interview with REI. It's unbelievable that was a year ago... After my phone interview, Tipton drove me to the airport and I was on my way back to Utah.

When I got to Utah, I made a quick stop home and then headed to the REI parking lot at SouthTown Mall to meet Jamie...and the two of us headed up to one of my favorite places in the entire universe. Brighton.

We had an amazing time up there. We met and had dinner with a man from Scotland and another from California. Jamie gave me an amazing gift with a perfect card. I think it must have taken hours to create. I remember reading it with tears rolling down my face-not only because the words that were written but also the effort that she put into making it...it was all incredible to me. That card is still one of my most treasured things.

At that moment I remember knowing for certain that nobody would ever know me like Jamie. Little did I know. Now, exactly one year later, she is a complete stranger to me. She has a familiar voice but she is a stranger.

My 25th year was hard. I will (shamefully) admit that a lot of that sadness came from my own actions but a lot came from the actions of others as well. And the fact that life is just hard sometimes-which isn't anyones fault.

This, my 26th year, is going to be a good one. I can feel it. It started off great-at midnight I was at a dinner party with some of the best people I have ever met. I have created a family up here! They are people who see the best in me and encourage me to do good things. I feel lucky!!

Let me introduce some of the fam...so at least they have familiar faces to my other family, who is my actual family at home...

This is at brunch last week-not a great shot but great people.
Me, Mel, Alana, Pam and CiaraKarah and Erin and cute little HoodieChelsea and Chelsea

Mel, Katherine, and PamelaSo, this is kinda random but this is Mel Nebeker and she is my ACTUAL distant cousin. Our grandparents are cousins...

So, there are some of the people that I get to associate with and spend my time with. I am lucky. Another lucky, lucky thing going on in my life is that I actually LIVE in Washington. I felt overwhelmed the other day as I was driving around for work because I live in such a beautiful place. I realize I may not have been super safe but I took a few pictures as I was driving around...just so I could document how amazingly beautiful it is here...

Even further, check out what was in my back yard last week... I know you can't tell but this is AN EAGLE!! Paul, who lives below me, called me at 6:00 in the morning and told me to go outside and see what's there...this is what I found. Again, bad picture but amazingly beautiful and incredible.I have a newness about myself and my life. I feel peace and confidence that I haven't ever felt before. I am grateful. I know who I am and for the first time, I am proud of it.

Here is to continue adding goodness in my life and deleting negativeness. Here is to continue creating relationships with good people. Here is to my amazing family who hasn't done anything but love and support me.

Here is to a great 26th year!