So long 2009

"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--
And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings."

2009 has come and gone. When this year started out I saw it as a new hope and a new beginning and in many respects it was just that. This past year has been one of the saddest, most stressful, and best years of my life.

I celebrated new years twice.
Somehow survived Reefer Madness.
Dated someone new.
Got a tattoo.
Danced,danced, and danced some more.
Had a Stress Free Spring Break.
Learned Why we tell the story.
Lost one of the most beautiful people I have ever known.
Came to terms with everything that happened with him.
Spent a week on the beach with my best friends.
Moved into a new apartment.
Meet someone who proved to me that love is real.
Had an internship at Flat Rock.
Understudied one of the hardest shows I have ever been in.
Was a man in a show... kinda.
Got cast in a main stage musical.
Made some amazing new friends.
Grew closer to others.
Made plans for a future that doesn't scare me.

This year has forced a lot of us to grow up, in ways we didn't even know that we had to. I have seen many people, including myself, come into their own. Find happiness in their own way. I know that this year the good has by far out-weighed the bad, even if it didn't always feel that way.

What this new year also represents is the past 10 years of my life. I remember ringing in the year 2000 in Leah's grandmother's living room. Things like the 6th grade seem so long ago. I don't think I could even begin to write about all that has changed since then.

What I do know is that this year I am ringing it in, in the most unconventional way yet. I have the honor of working 5 to close tonight. That is right, I will be ringing in the new year at Hooters, in my uniform and all. It will be fun.

So as I said last year.

Here is to a new year.
Here is to love
to friends
to happiness.