Thursday, December 31, 2009

2009 - What a year!


I feel like I'm crossing over into some Star Trek year or something...Stardate 2010!! Wow! And I was just getting good at writing 2009 on the white board at school.

As this year wanes and a blue moon shines I want to remember some of the great memories of this last year...

Personal
  • I love carpooling everyday with Rich. He makes me go home on time and it's like a continual date. He enjoys the time waiting for me even more since he has his iPod linked up with podcasts and game applications.
  • Three weddings dominated 2009!! How can anything top that? At the Mesa temple, at a roller coaster theme park and at The Little White Wedding Chapel in Vegas. New family to love. It's so cool.
  • Books are a great souvenir. I'm still relishing books from this summer's vacation. A great memory is the little lady who hand sold so many to us.
  • Our weekly date has been going on for more than 33 years now. We still love it. It's like an insurance policy. Taking others along with us is a blast too.
What I've learned
  • I can get rid of 100 books and still have full bookshelves.
  • Getting books in the mail brings out the kid in me! It's like Santa Claus!
  • I am a much slower reader than I used to be. I think I have 1st grade teacher brain...everything in short segments!
  • There are so many terrific books out there. I remember when I was in 6th grade and read all of the biographies in our school library. I will never come close to that again. The more I read of book blogs the more I realize that I will never even begin to read a small portion of the books I'm dreaming of.
  • I am terrible at Reading Challenges. I am pretty good at reading for my in-person book group however. I'll celebrate the positive.
My Favorite Books of 2009 (in no particular order)
  • The Help by Kathryn Stockett
  • The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
  • Left to Tell by Immaculee Ilibagiza
  • The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
  • North of Beautiful by Justina Chen
  • Graceling by Kristin Cashore
  • The Scarlett Pimpernel by Baronness Emmuska Orczy
  • Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett
  • Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George
Resolutions/Goals for 2010
  • Read 8 of the 10 Book Group books this year.
  • Read from my shelves or the library this year.
  • Make personal scripture study more of a priority. So, put it first! No blogging, emailing, or other reading until it's done each day. (This one is going to be hard!)
  • Complete my ESL endorsement by June 2010. This will seriously cut into my reading time!!! (Note - I have already enrolled in a class starting in 2 weeks and then will start my last Spanish class in February!! I'm on top of this one - right now anyway!)
  • Walk 3 times a week - download reading podcasts, talks, Prairie Home Companion, or audio books to accompany me!!
  • Find the top of my desk!
  • Put my grades and gradebook on the computer!
Okay 2010, I'm ready for you to show me a little love...

7 comments:

Susan said...

I love how sweet you and Rich are. It's such an inspiration in a world that seems bent on destroying marriage!

THE HELP and HUNGER GAMES were two of my favorite reads this year, too.

Happy New Year!

alisonwonderland said...

Three of your favorite books this year are also favorites of mine.

I am going to try to do my scripture study first this year as well. I know it'll take a lot of discipline, but I think it'll be worth it.

Happy 2010!

DesLily said...

I have to say: It made me laugh when I was reading your blog and you listed: find the top of my desk as a goal ! thanks for the smile!

Lesa said...

Hunger Games! Wasn't that fantastic? Everyone has been telling me how good The Help is. I'll have to get it as soon as it's off the waiting list.

I think that's wonderful that you've been having weekly dates for 33 years. Very, very special.

Lesa - http://www.lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com

Suey said...

Great memories! Great list! Great goals! Have a wonderful year.

Kim said...

What a great post! I gave The Hunger Games to my boys to read for a joint stocking gift and the first one to read has said how great it is! I think I may need to read it when they are done. The Help is one that I have heard nothing but good things about so I hope to get that one this year too.
*smiles*

beckaboots said...

I just read The Hunger Games and Graceling both this last week! Really enjoyable!
I love your weekly date idea. We kind of do that but it's unofficial. Hehe.