a year in review: 2007

well, i really don't know even where to begin to describe 2007. in the 23 years i have been alive, 2007 has had the most extreme ups and downs that i have ever had. as cliche as it sounds, i think that 2007 was really the transition year to prepare me for adulthood. yes, i am an adult now... but i mean really grow up. with the pending job opportunities and the possibility of a move, i think that a higher power planned for me to truly grow up in 2008 and to enjoy the last bit of childhood in 2007. i learned A LOT this year. i had really really strong doses of reality that i wasn't ready for. i worked hard. i was disappointed. i was incredibly happy. i was angry. but sitting back and reflecting on all of this, i am just amazed. i am amazed about how much i have accomplished. i am amazed how strong of a person i am. i am amazed how far i have made it in this world, and how much more i have to go. through all of these realizations, i know that i am ready for the next step of my life. i could be scared that i am going at it completely alone, but i have complete faith that i am going to make it in this world. i have made it this far with the support and love of those around me. it's time to do it on my own.


in the past twelve months, i received a masters degree, i was a maid of honor in a wedding, i helped my parents move and build a house, i gained friends, i lost touch with some. i dealt with family illness, i watched my parents age. i appreciated having a normal healthy childhood after watching a child all summer who could be in the hospital at any moment. i traveled to familiar places, and to places i had never been before in my life. i went to florida twice in one month! i learned to let go of some things. i wore a lot more makeup and made myself a lot more presentable. i made myself realize that i can be beautiful regardless of weight or body type. i realized i need to put myself above everything else and to never let anything stand in the way of what i want. i learned to put things into perspective... some things aren't the end of the world. others mean a lot more than they seem. i found out that people sometimes can really hurt you when you least expect it. but you learn to be a stronger person, to pick up the pieces and move on. i learned more about computers and electronics than all my years combined. i found out that i love edamame. i realized that i am getting older and my hair is getting gray.

but most importantly, i was reaffirmed that my family are the most important people in my life. they were with me through every single one of these event in 2007. when i came home after undergrad, i was depressed, angry, and upset with the world. my parents were afraid to talk to me. they were worried, but let me grieve. finally, my mother told me there was a reason i came back home. i didn't understand at first, but a year and a half later i truly believe that sentiment. and i am so glad i did it.

so lets bring on 2008. it's time to leave the cushiness of being home, getting what i want, having something to always fall back on. time for me to make some choices, take a deep breath, and move on forward. but i will never ever forget 2007, as good or bad it has been...

happy new year. i know it will be for me.

~annalisa

Well, I fought with a stranger and I met myself
I opened my mouth and I heard myself
It can get pretty lonely when you show yourself
Guess I could have made it easier on myself

But I, I could never follow
No I, I could never follow

Well, I never seem to do it like anybody else
Maybe someday, someday I'm gonna settle down
If you ever want to find me I can still be found

Taking the long way
Taking the long way around
Taking the long way
Taking the long way around