Day 366: The end.

I started this project a year ago to have something to focus on and be happy. As a strong type A, obsessive compulsive, organizational freak, I needed a project that I could track and commit to and that would have me actively striving to do things that would keep me occupied and happy. And it worked. Obviously the project was only a small part of my 2008, but it helped me relax and take myself less seriously, and be happy for a sustained period.

So now my year of new finds me here, on new year's eve night, watching as 2008 ticks away and in its place comes 2009, and my birthday, 25. So my last new thing is making a list of 25 things I’m looking forward to in 2009, or about being 25. I can’t think of any year I’ve made a list of things to look forward to, or focused on those instead of things to dread.

In no order whatsoever:

1. I can finally, legitimately, contribute any breakdowns, freak-outs, or major life decisions to a quarter-life crisis.
2. One word: Obama. I’ll finally say it. I cried when he was elected. And not because he was a Democrat or black or a good speaker or because he wasn’t Sarah Palin. But because I truly believe he can improve things. Not fix everything all at one or perfectly, but I think he can do great things.
   
3. Company cruise in March.
4. Though an odd number, 25 is divisible by 5, so there is hope.
5. The possibility of a certain sports team in a certain sport possibly winning a certain national title. (No jinx no jinx no jinx.)
6. I can rent a car. I don’t drive, but can’t I still rent a car?
7. New album by U2.
8. Another year of group emails with three of my friends. 2008 saw us reach nearly 500. They keep me sane. Or insane, depending on how you look at it.
9. Doctor Who specials and seeing who the new Doctor will be.
10. Making a real list of “guidelines” to achieve for 2009.
11. Watching my little brother graduate from college. (Ok, I might be dreading this one a little.)
12. Still randomly doing new things, just because it’s a habit now.
13. HP6 in theatres!
14. Two new Ceclia Ahern books and one new Sarah Dessen.
15. In London you had to be 25 to try speed dating. I’m hoping that applies here and I can find one because I think it would be great fodder for my novel.
16. Two words: Sham Wow. I can resist no longer; I must have one.
17. Playing with my new sewing machine.
18. No more election coverage!
19. Discovering what the deal is with the goat on How I Met Your Mother.
20. Finally some plays I want to see coming to DC!
21. 25=no longer getting carded?
22. New book club members.
23. New 30 Rock.
24. February is a perfectly spaced month that starts on Sunday and ends on Saturday. It’s pretty.
25. Figuring out what to do with this blog and keeping in touch with all my lovely family and friends.

Got lazy here and there but it wouldn't be my blog if it wasn't occasionally lame. It's nearly midnite and I don't want to welcome the new year on my laptop. Thanks very much to everyone who read and commented or just read. Happy New Year!

Day 365: Scoot scoot

Hooray for young people in the family with new toys! Today I rode my niece Jordan's electric scooter, my first scooter ride. I have grand plans for finding one that folds so I can zip around DC and Old Town. Watch out.

Day 364: Hey macarena

Now that I have no hair I have more time in the shower. Thus in honor of my 7th grade self, who also happened to have short hair, I did the Macarena in the shower. Of all the things I've done this year, this one might just disturb me the most.

Day 363: Every little bit helps

Today's new thing is something I've been wanting to do for a long time. Specifically, the past year, as that's how long I've been growing out my hair. And tonite I cut 10 inches of my hair to donate to Pantene's Beautiful Lengths campaign.

Before:
Making sure it's long enough:
Mom starting to cut:
Still cutting:
My hair!:
After:
And even shorter after I got it professionally trimmed:
I feel bald and am still experiencing phantom hair pangs, but I'm happy. And very light.

Day 362: So close

Ugh, I was trying so hard to consciously do something new every day this last month. Not frantically rush to do something at 11 or try and remember something new I did already. Today I kind of failed. I had hoped it would be watch UNC win a bowl game, but no such luck. Instead I guess it was shopping at Forever 21 with Mom at Independence Mall in Wilmington. Actually, it's my first time at Independence Mall with Mom since we moved when I was five, so that's new in a way too. I'm exhausted from the past perfect few days, let me be lame, one last time this year.

Day 361: By the beautiful sea

Since 2006*, a momentous event has occurred once a year somewhere in North Carolina. A momentous event that comes at the end of a year of hundreds of emails, countless Gchat conversations, many Facebook wall and photo comments, and a few drunk dials and/or texts. A day where I and three of my most favorite people get to all hang out, together. This year on Ocean Isle beach, my first trip to the beach with them.

From seeing each other about every other day in college, to once a year now, sometimes I really really hate growing up. But at least I have people in my life that make it worth it.

*It doesn't seem that long ago, but it is.

Day 360: Rockin' around the Christmas tree

Merry Christmas! One of the best times of the year is finally here. Gifts and wedding soup and naps and homemade rolls and a few more gifts and wedding soup. The perfect day. And this year we also added a bit of cutthroat competition with a game of electronic banking Monopoly, the first time I've played Monopoly with a debit card.
And thus was able to say, "Buy Hollywood? Charge it!" And thanks to an updated version, the prices are increased, the places are real, and the urge to crush your brother into the ground is even higher.
Sadly, despite my hotel on Times Square that upped the rent to about $10 million, I still lost to Joey by quite a large margin, probably thanks to his oft-repeated motto of "gotta spend money to make money." Over and over and over again. Hopefully next time I won't have to lease the White House to the Russians for some extra pocket money.

Day 359: Christmas Eve will find you

Time for everyone to meet Ed and Fred, the false eyelashes I've had for many months but finally wore tonite, briefly, at Christmas Eve dinner.

As they were itchy and freaking out the brother, I took them off and put them...somewhere. Probably should go find them before someone finds them in their cookies or soup tomorrow.

Day 358: I'll be home for Christmas

And the day has finally come. Finally. Just a few more hours of work and even more hours on the train, and home I shall be. But first I wore a hoodie to work. A combination of only being there a few hours, wanting to be comfortable on the train, and most importantly, not being able to fit it in my suitcase, led me to wearing one to this job for the first time. Such a slacker.

Day 357: Here comes Santa Claus

DC is empty. Everyone's gone, metro cars at rush hour are half full, but I'm still here. But only for another half day and then I'm leaving this ghost town behind. After a long day at my half empty work, followed by an accidental nap at home, 3+ hours of packing, cleaning, and organizing, I'm a bit punchy. So over to artist Keri Smith's blog, and a little fun with her seasonal secret spy disguise.
Hint: That's not really Santa, it's me. Or, am I really Santa? A conundrum.

Yeah, I think it's time to be around some people again.