Miscellayneous

There are lights designed like peacock feathers lining the main entrance to Lincoln Park Zoo leading to a large glowing dome frame where the crowd has gathered. From above the gift shop, the DJ leads up in a countdown 

10, 9, 8

There is champagne, wine, beer, and hot chocolate. In front of my, an older hispanic man dances his heart out while his friend stares down at him, enjoying his company but not participating. 

7, 6, 5

There are couples anticipating their midnight kiss. Groups of friends huddled, chanting along with drinks in their hands. 

4, 3, 2

The atmosphere is pure. Everybody in unity counting down to a new start, counting to the thrill of new beginnings.

One.

The crowd roars. Cheers like a choir in all pitches and volumes as everybody screams Happy New Year. The music begins again and people are dancing. Two people use their umbrella as a limbo stick and the crowd joins in until a girl who has the body of a dancer wins. The limbo ends. Everything that was in limbo ends. This is a new chapter.

Hello. We've made it to another year.

Nineteen is my lucky number so although we are only three days into the 2019 I have good feelings in my bones about this one. I love culture around New Years Resolutions because it's everybody trying to better themselves and people in the subcultures of the resolutions supporting each other, with the exception of the people who view other's growth as competition and try to tear them down, but those are the people we are leaving in 2018 because they aren't good for growth and 2019 is the year for growth. In this year, it's important to surround ourselves with people who have similar end goals as we do and to share our goals with others to create support systems and allow help to be had. Whether this be joining a gym to be surrounded by people who are trying to improve their health or starting a goodreads account to join people with reading goals, being surrounded by a subculture of people with similar resolutions is a staple in success.

This year, I have decided to split my hopeful accomplishments into two lists: goals, which are more concrete, and resolutions, which are more abstract. Goals are split into month-by-month goals in my bullet journal, which I would like to share with you all if you're interested. Without further ado, here is the growth agenda for 2019.

Goals:

01. Read all of the novels on my scratch-off 100 Books poster.

02. Get into my career field.

03. Own a car before summer.

04. Have novel finished, edited, and ready for submission.

05. Enter (at least) one craft show.

Resolutions:

01. Save as much money as possible.

02. Get diet and weight back under control.

03. Write and submit for publication as often as possible.

04. Discover: music, films, novels, places.

05. Less sorries, more thanks / Omit kindness

Let's talk a bit about this website. First off, we have a new domain name because I wanted to expand it from being a journal for me into a reflection of myself and a page potential opportunities can view. Therefore, there is going to be a shift in content where there will small narrative accompanying photos I post creating a better balance between photos and writing. My goal for posting is one post every Thursday. As the year goes on I'll see what I can handle and if I can produce more without stressing myself out, the content is yours.

I only have five of each-finger crossed that five is manageable. I am planning on doing quarterly catch-up to see where I stand on these and to hold myself accountable for them because these are all huge steps. I would like to look back on 2019 and see it as a vital year in my growth period and I welcome you all along for the ride. 

Thank you all for sticking around since 2012. Seven years and I think I finally have a good handle on it. Happy New Year, everybody.