2008 :: A Year in Review

2008 has been a good year to me. Many, many, many events and memories were made. Let me see if I can remember the most important things of this past year.... in a semi-particular order:

1) My heart was healed. This is a feat I never though possible. Having visited, for a long duration, what felt like the depths of despair and depression, 2008 saw an end of a broken heart, the healing of a shattered soul, and the optimistic outlook to the future. What have I learned from this experience? I will not give away my love freely. I am a smart, well-rounded, adventurous person that will not settle for anything less than the best. I would rather sit at home on a Friday and Saturday night with nothing but myself and the TV to keep me company rather than spend it with someone who does not appreciate me and value my feelings. I am the apple that one must reach high up for to be picked. As the months and years pass by, I am happy with being me and waiting for the right person to spend my life with.

2) I ran a freaking 1/2 marathon. Perhaps some may say, "Many do this.... and more!" But, my dear friend, do any of them loathe running as much as I? Nay, I say unto you! Nay! I think running the 1/2 was the most physically demanding thing I have ever done. I remember at mile ten tearing up and just wanting to cry. I have never felt the need for greater encouragement and wanting my mom so badly to cheer me on! Every stranger on the sidelines that cheered me on was my savior for that minute of pain as I passed them by. Kudos to all those who go out of their comfort zone and try something new. It builds you and strengthens you in ways you didn't think were feasible. I learned that I am capable of far more than I give myself credit for. But all rewards only come after hard work... in this case, hours and hours upon miles and miles of training and endurance. The outlook of me ever running a 1/2 marathon again: doubtful.

3) I went through the LDS Temple in May. My whole family was there. Seeing my whole family in the Celestial Room was a mental image I will always treasure. I am so thankful for a family that is all able to attend the temple, due to my parent's good example and upbringing. Since May, I was able to attend the temple once a week, with a few exceptions. By attending the temple weekly, I am able to remember that life is so much more than what I am able to see with my limited views - which consists mainly of my job! I know my Heavenly Father has a purpose for my life and I have to trust that through my obedience and faith, I will be blessed with the righteous desires of my heart.

4) I traveled to Khowang, Thailand all by my freakin' self!!! I learned more about myself and what I am capable of from 6 weeks in Thailand than I could have ever imagined. I bought tickets to travel to Thailand to teach English with only one desire in mind: Escape my life (see #1 of this list!). Little did I know how much this trip would do for me. What did I learn? The Lord watches over his children. Kindness is the best quality to posses, for it's extensions are never ending and reach all the corners of the earth. It's ok to be scared, but it's also ok to ask a stranger for help. Life is better enjoyed when spending time with family and friends, rather than sitting at work into the wee hours of the night preparing for another day of work. Life without adventure is no life for me!

5) Zena Cummard was born! Another beautiful addition to the Cummard clan.

6) I entered into my third year of teaching. My second year of teaching ended and I shed more tears than I would have thought for the children graduating to 6th grade. I grew to love them very much, individually and collectively. I learned a lot from these children. AND THEN the new batch of children came into my room. Even after 1/2 the year with them has already passed, I cannot say that I love them, or even like them for that matter. There are many days that I dread going to work. Prior to this year, I never once didn't look forward to going to work. I always knew my job would be hard, but I never dreaded it. AND THEN these children came into my classroom. They have tested me in ways that have nearly killed me. I wake up in the middle of the night wondering how to be a better teacher, how to have better management, how to be kinder, nicer, gentler..... AND THEN the next morning, over 1/2 the class forgets their homework.... and the next 8 hours are a blur of discipline mixed with frustration mixed with near loss of temper! I'm sure that come 2009, I'll be able to look back and tell you what I've learned.... but I'm not at that point yet! :)

7) Nicole Money Smith. She came into my life when I least expected it, but when I needed a friend the most. She taught me a lot about how life can be so simply enjoyed. We helped each other make friends in our ward. We read the Book of Mormon together and had some of the best spiritual talks I've ever had with another human being. Nikki never says an ill word about anyone and taught me that gossip is for idle spinsters! We served together, whether through ward visits, tryinig to activiate hometeachers, or dropping off brownies at random friend's houses. I will always treasure her friendship.

8) MARRIAGES! Sharon. Mekell. Nikki. My 3 best friends of what might be all time. I wish them a life full of happiness and joy. I'm glad they took the motto "2008 - Find a Mate" seriously!

9) RCR. He taught me that it's OK to allow myself to be friends with boys. Due to incident #1 (briefly described above) I was anti boy-friends. But I stand corrected. Not every guy is a "koosh". Just like when I so desperately needed a friend and the Lord placed Nikki in my life, the Lord knew when I needed another friend, and RCR was there. He also taught me that Cafe Rio is not ALL bad, if you know what to order. And their cheesy tortillas are to die for.

10) Many other friends -- too many to name. Bryn, Chelsa, Olivia, Kim, Mike, Florence -- just a few! To all my friends who have been patient with my lack of returning phone calls and text messages but still persist in being my friend anyway, THANKS! I love each of you in a unique, special way.

11) DVR. You are the best boyfriend I could ever ask for. You are always there when I need you and you never talk back. Thanks for all the great nights we have spent together. Here's looking to a bright 2009, DVR! I just wish I didn't have to pay so much for you each month!

Christmas Eve Mass

This past Christmas eve was one to remember.... let me see if I can explain it well enough for the reader to understand the predicament my parents and I found ourselves in...

We decided to go to a Christmas eve mass at a neighborhood church. We didn't get there early enough to get good seats, as much as my mom tried to fanagle her way into pews. But the Christian congregation would not have her pushy ways, even on christmas eve. So the usher showed us to some open seats that weren't taken yet..... They had a prime view of the pulpit, that's for sure! That's because we were sitting with the choir! Talk about awkward..... When the choir got up to sing, we didn't know if we should stand to sing with them, or just sit there and look like morons sitting with the choir! So we sat there.... up on stage for the whole congreation to see.

I think the best part of the evening was watching the choir/band. We obviously had a great view. There was a harmonica player who was about 70 years old or more. He was.... a decent harmonica player, except for the fact that he was on oxygen!!! Have you ever heard of anything so bizarre?? The great part was, even when he wasn't "playing" his harmonica, air would still escape, so periodically his harmonica would make beautiful sounds... when it wasn't supposed to!

Happy Birthday, Baby Jesus!