2010: Come on, bring it on

Today is the end of a decade---the last day of 2009. Every year about this time I look back and reminisce of the year past. There are always good memories mixed with some I'd rather forget. This year is no different. As 2009 draws to a close, I think about all that I've done this year. I feel as if this year has been very successful and one of the best I have ever lived (well, I'm only 18, but still, it was awesome :)). Yes, I wasted time, but I feel overall I used the time I was given to the best of my ability.

I cannot express enough how grateful I am of this year. I feel I have grown mentally, emotionally, and spiritually more this year than I ever have before. God has taught me so many things this past year that without making mistakes that I made, I might not have ever learned. I definitely made some wrong decisions this year, but nothing to big; just small lessons throughout that have added up.

In 2009 I became very close to two of my best friends, Emily and Micah. I have also been given the opportunity to become closer to friends I did not know as well before this year. I hope in the year to come I will get to know these people even better!

Now that 2010 is here I can't believe it. This year I'll be graduating, starting college, turning 19, and who knows what else. Right now I'm looking at 2010 as daunting and scary but I know it won't be that bad. Emily wrote an entry in Smiley last night that I feel is very accurate. She talked about how this past summer we (me, Emily, and Micah) were all pushing adulthood out of our minds. But as soon as Micah entered college, I entered my senior year and Emily her junior year, we all became adults in our own way. Whether we wanted to or not, we were forced into becoming adults. Not completely, but the level of maturity required of us is much higher now. Yes, we're all immature at times and still enjoy the same childlike activities we did this past summer, but we all know deep down inside that we're older. However, I think adulthood isn't as bad as we feared. Yes, it is intimidating, but it also has new advantages. I'm looking forward to the new adventures that await for me this year. I know I'll be experiencing more new things than I ever have before; the largest being moving out of my house and into a dorm, away from my family.

Although I still worry about friendships in Chattanooga while I'm away at school (whether that be Covenant or Northeastern, or wherever), I know that I can keep in touch. My friendships with people who went away to school this year proved that. I did loose friends, but I kept in touch with three very dear friends. Leaving home will prove who my true friends are and I know they'll always be there for me whenever I need them.

As I write this I am realizing that part of me still dreads what's to come, but a greater part of me welcomes it wholeheartedly. My whole life I've wanted a change and now that it's right around the corner I'm scared. But I refuse to let myself stay this way. I plan to take what's to come with an open mind and with God in full focus. I know He'll lead me where I'm supposed to go even though I have no idea where that is.

2010 will be great. I know it will. I'm ready for an adventure and I think this year offers plenty of it.

Well friends, until 2010, adios! :)

*New years resolutions will be posted tomorrow.*

-Sara Nade