Experiments with Truth --2008 (Part B: The Anticipation of 2008)

I have always been someone who believes in resolutions. I think they are extremely helpful and can accomplish a lot of good by setting a realistic and attainable goal for the year. Last year, one of my closest closest friends (some would even say best friend...but I got over that saying), was talking to me about how someone she knows uses the phrase "Experiments with Truth". This phrase really caught on in my mind and so, I've decided that instead of RESOLUTIONS, I'm going to experiment with what I believe, is truth.

For you to hold me accountable to, here are some of them for 2008:

• use less--give more
• re-use and recycle more
• read more (at minimum a book a month)
• see the image of God in others (so I can protect the image of God in myself)
• hold others in the highest regard (making myself third)
• drink more water out of my re-useable bottle, not disposable bottles--tap water does a body very good (drink less pop--including Coca-Cola products)
• Eat at home much much more. Eat out WAY less. Even consider planning a food budget or a minimum amount of times per month to eat out.
• Write more
• remember that I will be okay.
• expose myself more to new things and try to see everything as a potentially life changing experience.
• listen more. talk WAY less.
• be PRESENT. Don't forecast the future. Be content in today, the moment, the now. Don't have expectations for the future, or wish to be somewhere you're not.
• Find moments of hope no matter where you are.
• Learn to just BE.
• Walk more.
• Start imagining. Start believing. Start acting.

So here I go.....

Experiments with Truth --2008 (Part A: Highlighting the Good of 2007)

It has been a great year. Looking back over 2007, I can't help but smile and only prepare myself for the excitement that I know 2008 will bring.

Highlights from 2007:

-Meeting Cait, Simon, and Nikki (at least, becoming a close family)
- Hanging out with Luke and Matt WAY more.
- Being a part of South Ovaries.
- Snuggling more with Liane and Megan.
- Volunteering at the FRWY.
- Being introduced to Pat Robitaille.
- Going out for dinner with Luke, when we both should've been studying.
- North Carolina (this cannot be deduced to one memory).
- NYC (for a day), specifically CENTRAL PARK and dinner in Little Italy.
- Having our last and potentially most memorable South Ovary sleep over.
- June 16/17 /07 ---a night that changed my life.
- Cait and Matt dating.
- LIT 07--specifically being partners with Ryan VanMeer (NORTHHHHH)
- June 29/07 ---being told "I love you."
- PRiME 07 (wouldn't have been nearly as fun or possible without Matt Penman)
- Visiting Liane after her surgery. Eating ice cream cones and discussing life (some of the best).
- Meeting a new and GREAT small group.
- Hanging out with Liane...sitting by the beach on the Bayfront...incredible.
- Hanging out with Simon Beck/Robinson/Gareth on Tuesday afternoons.
- Hanging out and still hanging out with Rachel Cope (my fav new feminist).
- Meeting Sim's family for the first time (slightly scary...but GREAT).
- My birthday (too many great memories--apple picking, dinner, brian, family dinner, walk by the Bay, dumb and dumber UNCUT).
- Ovary Reuninon
- Meeting Kim-Kim on Cait's Driveway (who knew that you could LOVE someone so much after a brief 15-minute encounter?)
- Waterloo sleep over at Cait's...breakfast at a cool bakery with Laur.
- Getting a great job.
- Thursday night tradition night with Luke/Matt/Ryan...good for my soul.
- Tea nights/confessions with Cait.
- Dinner at Deb's (all the times)
- Dinner and Pool with Liane and Ken.
- Megan's birthday with South Ovaries.
- Hot Tub PARTAYYY at Lauren's.
- LIT Reunion (window smashing, great seeing the kids, so fun spending the weekend driving up and down with the boys)
- Singing with Luke to Colbie.
- Matt's Birthday (dinner was great, hang out after - HILARIOUS).
- Standing outside the LCBO with the Sal Army Christmas Kettle with my Lily...nothing greater (nothing colder).
- WINE AND CHEESE (social event of the year...more like, dancing event of the year?)
- Communion @ Deb's
- REPLICAAAAA (wow....WOW- retreat coming up January 19 & 20---you should all come).
- More importantly, the incredible women I got to dance with to Replica (Tali, Liane, Deb, Jill, Jenny!)
-Tea with Cait at my house.
-Christmas party at Sim's.
- Christmas Eve at the Marlow's (present game--huge success; Sim met and survived and become a favourite within in moments).
- Christmas day (same as usual).
-Boxing day (radio listening; meeting new family; favourites with ben; veg lasagna; Family Feud with the winning champs!; drive back--umbrella-ella-ella; Friend's episodes; Hanson drive home...yes.)
- MY BLANKET (this was on boxing day, but deserved a category all it's own...greatest present, I've ever received, from the greatest person I've ever known).
-Dinner with Sim, Matt and Cait
- Discussing the fantastical idea of going to Florida for New Years (let's not talk about the outcome)
- Cranium with Sim, Matt and Cait (yes, this is still a highlight despite our unfortunate and CLOSE loss).
- talking with Sim until 4:30 about life.
- Movie Listing (too many to count!)
- Pot luck at Tali's
- Sleepover at Cait's
- Breakfast at Benny's (Cait and Rach).
- New's Year's eve day (Rach's special lake spot; making pizza)
- New Year's eve (FUN).

There are many many more. Laughs, cries, happy times, sad times, content times, frustrating times, many many times. I appreciate you. More than you know for sharing them with me. Without you, this year would not have been everything it has been. Because of you, I look to 2008 with great excitement, anticipation, and for the first time in a long time, contentment.