I put this on my Facebook too, but I think that this is a good note to include on a blog too. (Especially since it's been a month since I've updated my blog.) Enjoy:

So, I was going to make another status update about how awesome my life is, but then I decided that there's too much greatness to fit in one measly sentence. Long story short, I could not have asked for a better Christmas break. First of all, I got to spend a lot of quality time with my family. Even though we were kind of forced to spend time together at times (because of silly snow,) I don't think I would have wanted it any other way. Secondly, I was able to spend time with a few of the neatest people in the world. Some of these events were planned and some of the events just happened. (I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, by the way.) Both the unplanned and the planned made my life that much more enjoyable. Thirdly, and this does deserve its own number, I was able to see two very dear friends and their lovable children tonight. These two friends are very special to me even though it's probably an unlikely friendship; they are the parents of the children that I babysat throughout high school. They have influenced my life more than they probably will ever know. Anyway, before I get too sentimental, I'll just say that it was very nice to see them and their kids. Fourthly, (is that even a word?) I tried sushi! And even crazier, I liked it! Now, as my family will attest, I am a picky eater, so this is pretty incredible for me. I probably won't be eating sushi all the time, but it was a very nice treat. (Thanks DeVries!) Fifthly, (I didn't get the red squiggly line under fourthly or fifthly, so I think they're legit words) I have a fabulous family. Seriously, they're the best. I won't get too sentimental for this section either, but I love my family so much. I'm also going to add that my friends are great. I don't know why they've put up with me for so long, but I'm glad they have. I could go on forever and ever about this stuff, but I won't. I just want everyone (who is willing to read this) to know that I love life. It's not easy. It's not meant to be easy. Thus, I left out all of the unpleasant stuff that has been happening in my life. That was very intentional. I didn't leave it out so people will think my life is perfect or that I'm perfect or that wonderful things always happen to me. But I know that life is beautiful, even when bad things happen (and they will happen.) I'm starting to understand that there is a bigger picture that I've never noticed before. I'm only eighteen, so I obviously don't understand it completely yet, but I have a much different perspective than I did just a year ago. Anyway, that was more tangential than I had originally intended, but these are just some things that have been floating around my brain...

Love,

Emily