Happy Tax Day!

Isn't it a lovely day?

Today is the deadline for the people of the United States of America to hand over part of their income to the government.

I'm sure it's joy.

I did my taxes two days ago, and I surprised myself by doing them so early.
I had pictured myself waiting 'til today to do them.
It would've been me having to deal with my signature tendency to procrastinate (which, fortunately, is becoming less and less of one).

This was my first time having to do taxes.
2008 marked the first year I was over 18 and with a job.
I filed online, and it was relatively painless.

I won't be getting much of a refund.
My check will be filled out to the amount of $20.

At least I'm not having to pay this time around...

On the contra-ary!

This semester, I have discovered a new pastime.

Dancing. Contra dancing, to be exact. :-)


I am terrible at it, but I really don't give a care. It's fun.

Contra dancing is like a cross between square dancing and English country dancing (or something like that), complete with cheesy music and someone telling you what to do the whole time.

Now, doesn't that just sound wonderful?
I was very skeptical that I would like it at first, but I suppose even skeptics like me can be proven wrong once.

I think the being terrible part comes from having a dance partner.
I'm used to dancing by myself.
At least I can blame my partner if I don't do well!

It's kind of confusing at first. There are almost too many steps to follow.

Nevertheless, I like it.
One does get the hang of it.

I've been twice with a group of friends, and I wouldn't be opposed to going again.
It kind of makes me want to try other types of dance too!

Here's some of what the dancing looks like:

Looking back and looking forward

Time is a tricky thing.
It always gets away from me.
Despite that, I always look forward to new things.
It's important for me to try to make the most of the time I have.
This new year has so many possibilities.
As I look forward, I also want to take the opportunity to look back.

Last year was amazing.
Many people would use the term 'amazing' to describe the past year, but, in my life,
there were many profound experiences that could not be described any other way.

If I had to think of just one word to sum up all of my experiences, that word would
be "firsts".

There were so many firsts.

To name a few things, 2008 saw me:

• Graduating from high school

12 years was a long time!

• Having a semi-definite idea of what I want to do for a living for the first time.

I want to do something with journalism, and, once I get my mind set on something
it's hard to tear my thoughts away from it.

• Moving away from home for the first time.

I had never lived away from my family. Yet, I was surprised to find that some of the people I would meet at college would come pretty close to being family.

• Learning to be more independent that I ever have.

I do my own laundry now, among many other things. :-)

• Settling into a new lifestyle of responsibility.

I find that people depend on me now more than ever before. Whether it be in school,
work, or clubs on campus, I stay busy! It is stressful sometimes, but another
'first' has been learning to manage everything.

The most amazing thing in the midst of everything that happened was that God was with me each day of the year.
There were days that I sat in my dorm room crying to God because I had no idea what I was doing.
There were also days that I thanked God
for every new thing I experienced and every new person I met.
He has been the only constant in life when everything around me has been changing.
Every day.
I am so amazingly blessed.

Last year was truly amazing!
Here's to another amazing year...

Here we are.

People are always trying to get me to start a blog.

I say I like to write, and I often get asked if I have one.

When I say no, they ask me why not.

"Procrastination," I say.
"It's my weakness."

I suppose this post will be my starting point.

More writing! Less procrastinating!

Maybe.

Is there a 12-step program to keep writers with "creative" time management skills like mine writing?

Oh, only time will tell.

What joy should be filling your heart right now! You've just read my first blog. :)