About two hours until we start another year. This is when we reflect on everything that's happened to us in the last 12 months; the good, the bad, the unintentional, the beautiful, and the painful. Not only are we going to reflect on the last year, but we're going to plan ahead and play "a new us" for the the year to come. Some resolve to have a healthier lifestyle; some to be more successful; and others simply to live life to the fullest.

I resolve to do all of the above, but in my own way.

The last year:

*January marked a new beginning, sort of. I was now graduated from high school and left with nothing to do really until "Official Graduation" in May when all my friends would be out of school as well.

*February came along and I started working at the Frostee to occupy my time and make a little money as well. I always enjoy being there. Actually I enjoy being in Claiborne County period.

*March brought Spring Break. Allison Woodall, Katrina Jackson, Sloane Dooley, Christine Tang, Emily Fecco, Amanda Lay, Lauren Price, Jennifer McGhee, and myself all went to Tampa, FL. Allison's dad and his girlfriend Stacey took us along with Stacey's son Chris and his friend. We had a blast, but we all seemed pretty worn down. I also started "dating" Matt Cupp which was so odd to me. He seemed to like me so much and did everything for me and bought me way too much stuff. I thuroughly enjoyed everything though. Even though his mom and Lindsey had a problem with me he still insisted that it was okay for us to be togehter and that he wanted to continue seeing me. Mikie and I became really good friends again and it sorta added to the headache I had to deal with, with Lindsey. ~~I'll never forget the night when Mikie and I took one of our weekly trips to Waffle House then decided to go to Wal-Mart afterwards. Before we walked into the entrance Mikie looked back at a truck (red tacoma.. fairly common) and said "Naaah." I didn't know what he was doing at the time but I would find out later. As soon as we walked into the door I saw Matt in the first checkout lane. Mikie and I completely split directions and I scrambled to the back of the store. LUCKILY Matt didn't see me, he only saw Mikie. Finally Mikie had me paged over the intercom when Matt left. Thats when he told me he thought he saw Matt's truck before he came in. If matt had seen us together not only would me and Matt be over... but so would Mikie and Lindsey. That was way too close for comfort.

*April was when Matt and I fell apart. His birthday was the 8th and I remember thinking thats when it was really over. He just stopped talking to me. It was completely to my surprise, especially after everything he had done to be with me in the first place. But it happened and I was pissed, but I got over it eventually. I ran into an old friend in this month as well. Michael. Prom was at the end of the month and I went with a good friend Nate, along with Jill and Matt. We had an amazing time... Rain and all.

*In May I experienced my 18th birthday. Needless to say it was pretty much a drag. My car broke down on my way out to eat with Jill and we were stuck at wal-mart forever. There's a funny picture of me in a shopping cart with a tiara and a pissed off look on. We finally got out to Naple's to eat... then I went to get a tattoo. My mom would TOTALLY freak if she knew about it. And so would my entire family. I also "lost my innocence" so to speak. But we'll not get into that.

*June was the month when all my traveling began.The first trip was with my mom and sister to Louisiana to see my brother and niece and sister-in-law. It was a nice visit. I also got to have a little taste of New Oreleans. I can't wait to go back to that place. This is the trip were my sister got so drunk that she accidentally peed in the the hotel floor thinking it was the bathroom. I also went to Destin, Florida in June (the last week) with the Gibson family. Destin is a lovely place but there was a bunch of green algae crap int he water most of the time, so there was a lot of pool time going on then. By now you could definately say Michael and I were "official" I suppose. We never officially made it official but this is the time that I would pick.

*July 4th is when I almost got kicked out of my house. I told my mom that there was no point in me going home at like 4 or 5 in the morning when I would just have to get up and come straight back to the Frostee to work, so I was just going to stay at Michael's. She didn't like that so she hung up on me and the next day (morning.. around 6 am still at michael's) took away my car, phone... pretty much everything. Michael had to take me to work adn when I explaind everything to my aunt and cousin and others that I work with, my aunt told me I would have it all back by the end of the day if she had anything to do with it. Sure enough not even an hour after my mom and aunts had lunch.. I had it all back. Anywho the second week of July I went to Panama City with Rachel, Heather, and Meredith. Our first trip without adults. Wee met some really nice and fun guys there and we stayed pretty drunk most nights. But while the other girls were our walking and being silly with the guys, I stayed and talked to Michael. I missed him a lot. The end of July brought the Warped Tour. I took Michael and we stayed at a Holiday Inn in Atlanta. It was so awesome. I saw so many fantastic bands and met Matchbook Romance which totally blew my fuse. I saw a lot of people I knew there. (Jill, Mark, Nate, Nick, Chris (ex bf) and Jeremy who were helping all the bands set up.. way cool, Stenson, Matt, Britany,.. and probably some more.) Awesome Awesome.

*In August I moved to Chattanooga to start school. It was really hard to be away from Michael but I came home pretty much every weekend.

*In September I took Michael to Michigan to see Hopesfall along with The Reason, Alexisonfire, Lola Ray, and Moneen. Even though some of the trip was bad, I can't help but remember the good parts. I just loved to be around him and loved to see him happy.

*In October, well I don't really remember it. Martha had a Halloween party and I was tinkerbell. So cool. It was a great party. Got to see Tyler and Casey and I adore them so. Oh yeah, I went to see Dracula and the Fox Theater in Atlanta with my dad. OHH YEAH. Michael Moved to Mississippi. Not cool.

*November was a great month. I saw and met Switchfoot, The Honorary Title, and The format; and saw and met Yellowcard, The Starting Line (again), and the Matches. (Both at the Tabernacle in Atlanta) I also went to Columbus OH to see Dashboard Confessional and Something Corporate. While I was there I met up with my great friend Courtney Preste who lives in IN. It was so good to see her. It was a long drive back to Chattanooga after the concert though. But I think it was totally worth it. I also went to Mississippi with Michael's mom and dad to see him for thanksgiving.

*December... The present time. I failed Biology, almost failed math.. SO I decided to transfer to UT Knoxville and switch my major from Pre-dental to Media Arts so I can be a photographer. My dad definately likes that idea. I had buffalo for the first time in Atlanta with my dad. It was delicious. For Christmas I got an ipod from my father, an easybake oven (SOOOO FRIKKEN AWESOME) from my mom, and a trip to the lovely Sanibel island (which is where I am now) from my mom and my sister. Even though I got great gifts, Christmas sucked hard for me. I spent it by myself. No family. Nothing. Not to mention I was semi-sick. Oh yeah AND Michael broke up with me. This is not how I wanted to spend the end of my year. Now I just feel depressed and lonely and definately not myself. I've got God to help me and my few dwindeling friends. And hopefully that will be enough to get me through.

The year to come:

I want to change myself. I want to start over. I want to start over with Michael. I want to communicate myself better to others. And there is no time like the present to get all this done. I have to watch what I eat (meaning I can't eat fast food twice a day like I do now). I have to go to the dermatologist and genecologist and see whats wrong with me and see if there is anyway to fix it. I HAVE TO MAKE GOOD GRADE. I slacked off so much at UTC and worried about so many other things that I just didn't make the grades I needed.

I've got to dig myself out of this hole and put my life back where it needs to be.

Help me.