2011 Year in Review

Wow, this has been an amazing year and another year of a lot of firsts!

• The first thing that is most amazing to me is my height.  I always thought that I was 4 feet 11 1/2 inches tall.  I have measured myself in the last year and realized that wasn't the case and it was confirmed last week during my annual physical.  I'm officially 4 feet 10 inches tall.  According to Wikipedia, a dwarf is a person under 4 ft 10 inches tall, but they have to have other physical traits that I don't have.  So, I'm not a dwarf after all; just a short person.  Just recently, someone told me that I'm not short, I'm funsize!!   I'm sticking with it!!!  There is a campaign going on right now that kids should stay in a booster until they are 4 feet 9 inches tall, phew, I just made it!!!
• In every year review for the last few years, I've mentioned my weight.  I'm not dieting or even thinking about it.  I'm not going to diet at all.  I eat when I'm hungry, drink when I'm thirsty, and allow myself what I crave.  I don't eat as much and I am maintaining my weight; albeit, I'm still considered obese, but my body is changing.  I have learned to eat until I'm satisfied, which is HUGE.  In the past, if I wasn't full, then I didn't feel okay.   I have lost inches, so my jean size has gone down a size!!!  
• I completed my very first 5K with my best-friend, Kim.  We are doing another one in February with our children and my older brother in honor of Luke.  This 5K is a fundraiser for melanoma to help families that are dealing with this dreadful cancer, and some funds will go to researchers to help find a cure.  
• I went zip-lining and cried a lot, but I worked through my emotions and did it.  I felt so proud.
• I won two scholarships at one time!!!
• Visited Northern California and Yosemite.
• Met a dear friend in person after 8 years of being online friends!
• Won free tickets to a local amusement park and we were able to go on Bethany's actual birthday!
• Our dog, Bella had 5 puppies and they were all healthy.  One was actually missing a toe on his back paw.  We are keeping a boy puppy, Hank for Kyle.
• I was terrified of dogs since the day I was born or so it seemed.  According to my mom, there wasn't a day in my youth that I loved dogs.  If I saw a German Shepherd behind a secure gate, I would shake.  I would not go to friends houses because of their dogs.  Then, I started watching The Dog Whisperer and learned that I could get over my fear.  I am not afraid of Bella in way and the puppies are harmless.  I actually let a German Shepherd sniff my hand and lick it, and I will admit that I was shaky afterwards, but I did it.  I even trimmed all 5 puppies toes and my brother's pup, too; me, the girl who was so afraid of dogs.  I felt so proud.
• I assisted Bella with her delivery and helped several to breathe.  It was the most amazing experience ever.  It was life changing.
• I passed my first biology class with a "B".
• I failed my first class as returning adult student.  It was very devastating, but I will take it again and will pass it with flying colors.
• I cooked my very first Thanksgiving feast for Christmas dinner because some of my family missed Thanksgiving dinner with us.  I also hosted it at my house and I believe it was a huge success.
• The BEST part of 2011, my girl contacted me and wrote me a beautiful letter.  My heart has healed so much from that letter.  
• I never met my half-sibling in person and he never replied to my email or returned my call.  I figure that he's not interested in meeting me and that's okay with me.  I feel a bit disappointed.
• I was accepted to be a volunteer intern for a local hospital.  Unfortunately for me, I didn't work out, but I was honored that I was able to do it for a few weeks.

As of today, I feel pretty good and it feels good to be me.

Happy New Year!