Christmas 2009

Yes, this is another 'Merry Christmas' journal, but it's a Christmas journal with a difference, I swear.

This journal is pretty much my summary journal, and it's not going to be anywhere near as long as I thought it would be, so you guys have hit the jackpot this year.

For starters, I wish to keep to my word, a feature for Amriah for winning one of the spots from GaioumonBatou's 'Deviants are thankful for...' news article series:





But that's not all. If you guys haven't already done so, and even moreso on Christmas day, have a read through these articles:
news.deviantart.com/article/10… and news.deviantart.com/article/10…

I probably spent 20 or so minutes reading through both articles, and not only has it given me an incredibly warm feeling (even warmer than the day we've had today, too. ) but I feel like I should write my own.

I'm thankful that in 2009:

I had the opportunity to travel to the other side of the world, where I not only saw things I could never dreamed of seeing, and experiencing things that I never thought I could experience, but I met so many new people, and created so many memories that I will treasure for the rest of my life.

I finished my apprenticeship, and still have a job with a boss and co-workers who want me around. In addition to that, receiving two awards that I never knew existed, and a second placing in a contest that was yet another opportunity for me to show what skills I had.

I had the chance to be extremely materialistic and purchase two things that will make my life that little bit nicer (and hopefully easier in one of the cases). But more than that, I'm thankful that my parents gave me the opportunity to save enough money to gain both of them.

I finally worked up the drive (with a little help from a lovely offer) to visit the gym and start exercising again. Turns out that spending a fair amount of money on something can really do wonders for you - even to the point that I know the difference in how I feel when I miss a day I should have gone.

I met many new people, both online and offline, and had relationships growing stronger with those I already knew. I know I have much work to do with certain relationships I have, but that's a goal to continually strive for.

I started two new projects, and continued working on one that has been building for a while. I hope to see them all prosper in 2010; I've never been more determined.

I was lucky enough to be surprised not once but twice with DDs on deviantART, and just... the fact that this site constantly leaves me nothing short of speechless. I'm thankful that I get to spend this much time online with people who odds are, most I will never meet, but still continue to talk to me like we've known each other since we were 7. You guys know who you are, well, at least I hope you do.

And finally, I'm thankful that I will have the opportunity in 2010 to make my life even more awesome. For a 21 year old, I'm incredibly privileged. I've never been in need of anything, and as much as I want things, I know that to get them, work must first be done. As sad as I am to see 2009 drawing to a close, I know that I have the tools and drive to make 2010 a different sort of awesome.