fifteen of ten.

This year was spent listening to Colbie Caillat and Sara Bareilles, getting to know my nephew better, falling in love with Kenya and veterinary medicine. This year I grew closer to my sister, met amazing people that I will spend the next four years becoming veterinarians with, and establishing a life of independence. I've learned that I am a free spirit with a stroke of neuroticism here and there, but with a deep love of laughing. I moved in with a truly wonderful woman who pushes me and encourages me to be the best version of myself. This year was absolutely amazing.

Top 15 Moments of 2010

15) Finishing my first sudoku...leading to a very bad habit
14) Spring break in Snohomish and Bellingham
13) Turning 21 with one heck of a party and loads of 90s outfits
12) Acting as CRU weekly meeting student producer
11) Ran my very first race...leading to a love/hate relationship with running
10) Bowling after our first round of vet school finals
9) Girl's Nights
8) Ringing in the new year to the sound of Page CXVI
7) Vising NYC
6) Living with Hannah Balash
5) The birth of Addison Crites
4) Every second spent in Kenya
3) Moving in with Allyssa
2) Falling in love with Kenya
1) Falling in love with veterinary medicine

I can't wait to see what 2011 has in store!

always. always.

learning.

Sometimes I get tired of learning life lessons.
Sometimes I feel like there is a person inside of me dying to get out...but I don't know how to let her fly.
Sometimes I just want to be.

I get exhuasted by "growing" and I often wish that I could go through one season of my life without becoming more adult. Last year it was going through my first big break up, this summer it was Kenya, and now...vet school is just one learning curve ball after another. Both academically and socially/spiritually etc.

Bits of me are jealous of the old me, the one that lived in the comfort of my CRU "Christian bubble" where being a Christian was seamless and making friends came easily. Deep conversations weren't scarce, and drama was non-existent. Sure I was having rough patches (and learning), but in many ways life was easy. Hindsight is always 20/20 huh? But then there's the other part of me that is so thankful for the position I'm in. The things I'm studying, the friends I'm making, the woman I'm becoming.

Is the grass truly always greener? Or is that a mindset that we humans have as default, but can be overcome?

bad news: growing up, you learn things about this world you don't like. People tell me I'm not bitter yet, but give it time and I will be.

good news: I refuse to believe them.

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on another note: I've read three books a part of a series called "The Friday Night Knitting Club, and I dearly wish to learn to knit.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:12

uterine milk may be the most disgusting thing I've ever heard of.

tradition :)

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade...A Curtis Family Tradition :)

I am thankful for: God and His Son, Jesus. Family. Friends. My education. Dogs. Kenya. Freedom. Snow. Fall. Scarves. Hand turkeys. Dexter. Laughter. CRU. Sunrises. A new matress. Free long distance. Parades. Roommates. Cocoa. Mexican food. Giraffes. Lady Gaga. Girl's Nights. Picture messaging. Tea. The ocean. The butterflies. Mittens. Trees. Books. Blankets. Mountains.

I am a thankful lady.

dorothy said it best.

There's no place like home.

I've been home for less than 24 hours now and already I feel myself starting to smile more, starting to be calmer. Even having energy to study a bit. Going to bed at 830 was nice last night.

I'm all but stranded inside my house due to the snow, which is a little frustrating because I badly hoped to shop this week, especially with the upcoming christmas season and needing to get presents for my loved ones in Pullman. But at the same time, I'm enjoying being stranded.

Lord of the Rings. Cocoa. Reading. Treadmill. Laundry. Baking. Sleeping. Playing w/ the dogs. Shopping. Mom-time. That's what my break shall consist of. (Though anatomy and histo need to be squeezed in here and there).

My only prayer is that my friends and family planning to travel this week arrive at their destinations safely, and return safely as well. Good luck to all the people who have yet to conquer the pass!

it never fades.

The other day we had a lecture about emergency animal rescue and she kept showing us images of her work at the World Trade Center Ground Zero.

I still can't think about that day without my pulse racing and a deep sadness coming over me.
To the victims of 9/11...you will never be forgotten. Your families will never stop being in my prayers.