Dec 31, 2011

when the sun rises...

a new year will have begun. a new chapter will be written. 2011 has been a challenging year, and I've learned that growing up isn't all fun and games. :) but so many cherished lessons have been learned and so many warm memories have been made.  

>>------> a year in review
I've met so many new people I have been honored to name as my dearest of friends. summer was an interesting experience at the waterpark, and spending time with relatives that haven't been seen in years. I met my dearest of friends at Disneyland for the second time in August, on our way home from our adventures in San Diego. my parents surprised me with a trip to Disneyland as well for my 15th birthday the following October which was perhaps, the most magical visits I have spent there. my relationship with our dear Lord Jesus has been definitely strengthened, but there is still so much to learn. my experience with babies has also grown, and my love to help with them has as well.  

days this year have been filled with the good and bad, filled with tears and smiles, and while I cannot say that this year has been perfect, what a comfort it is to know that when the morning sun rises, and its rays burst upon the hills, so does a beautiful and bright future. 


>>>----------> inspired. aspiring. one year to do so. <----------<<<


 // 2012 "to-do" list //

keep up faithful devotions
start a business
gain 300 followers and 100 facebook friends
earn enough money for photoshop
learn how to read a knitting pattern
crochet a project by reading a pattern
plan a sweet sixteen
clean and re-decorate my room
cook a full dinner
bake 
become a faithful commenter on several blogs
faithfully write in my journal 
write letters
read 10 books in one month
read Jane Eyre and Emma
crochet a blanket {or stuffed animal}
sew a quilt
sew a dress
purchase a cute vintage dress
do well in school
get a job {or run a business} in the summer
write a list of words and quotes
finish La Folia
practice violin everyday
witness, give a testimony
have a complete conversasion in Espanol 
get a cork board to make as an inspiration board
research fashion
research for an etsy shop
read books on photography {i.e. improve photography}
new e-mail address
set up “blogger” physical mailbox 
rewrite my bucket list and “why I blog” post
learn how to use Gimp
design a complete blog that is not my own
knit a scarf for a sponsor child
knitting campaign
do more product reviews {review a dress} 
meet another blogger friend
write to my favourite authors and get a reply
read a complete Dicken’s novel
work on my scrapbook // art journal // project notebook 
create a quote wall
hang my paintings and a full length mirror in my room
find a way to earn more money 
be in a professional play! 
learn HTML code
start Christmas presents in September
host a jane austen {literary} garden party 
host a valentines tea party
exercise regularly
get a new hairstyle, learn vintage hair do's
learn more about herbs 
write up an FAQ page
try french macarons
learn a bit of Italian
curl my hair and wear it on a nice outing
get a summer job? 
photograph more
attend a photography class
make 10 projects from my pinterest crafting board.
take my dearest friends to tea by the sea
help plan a trip to Italy
collect more thread spools, handkerchiefs, and tea cups
purchase something I really like on Etsy
crochet a rug from fabric
crochet slippers
host an "official" crafting day with friends
guest post on a friend's blog
receive twenty-five comments {excluding my response} on a post
have a photoshoot with friends

so many laughs to be heard. so many songs to be spontaneously sung. so many smiles to be photographed. so many more lessons to be learned. so many photographs to be taken. so many adventures to be experienced. so many more people to meet. in this upcoming year. 


praying all of you have the most wonderful new year ever experienced!!!

love always,
the keeper of the garden. 
postscript :: what are some of your resolutions? 

{{images via pinterest}}

10 comments:

  1. Thanks for writing this lovely list! I have been working on a list like this over the past few days. If you don't mind I borrowed a couple of yours. :) happy new year!

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  2. That's quite a list of resolutions! I hope you manage to check every single one off!
    Happy New Year, Grace! :)

    Eve

    http://essenceofevephotography.blogspot.com/

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  3. P.S. I use a 18-55mm lens for most of my photos as well! I also have a Canon 55-250mm telephoto lens, which I got for Christmas this year, and which I use from time to time. :)

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  4. very ambitious, m'dear girl. I wish my list of resoloutions was half that size... But then, it's not quite completed :-) Beautiful post- you do have such a way with words.

    Love you!
    Turkey

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  5. You will LOVE Emma :) I am reading git and it makes you feel like you are in it :D And you won't need photoshop if you are getting Gimp. Gimp is everything Photoshop is, only free.

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  6. If you started a business, what would you be selling? Happy New Year my dear, dear friend:)

    hookinhanddesigns@gmail.com
    singingpurplefeathers.blogspot.com

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  7. oh my! that is quite a list of resolutions my dear, how ambitious you are! *smile*

    Lovingly,
    -- your old-fashioned girl
    ~ www.theoldfashionedgirl.com

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  8. I love this post! And definitely, you HAVE to read Emma. It's my favourite Jane Austen book. :)

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  9. Wow, what a list! I must say you will absolutely love Jane Eyre; it is my very favorite book! Emma is quite good as well. I have all of the Austen and Bronte novels and they are all without fault!

    PS there are many vintage hair tutorials on youtube that are easy to follow. The most common is "victory rolls"; they are quite easily done with some practice. Good luck with your accomplishments :)

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