Each year, I choose one word that represents my goals and what I want to accomplish that year. (I learned about this from Ali Edwards' website - check it out!) In 2014, my word was love. My goal was to love more, to love better, and to do more of the things I loved. In the spirit of my year of love, here are some things to love from the year 2014.
Things I'd looked forward to that finally happened: I graduated from college, started a book club, bought a car, and started the book I've been planning on writing (check out the prologue here).
Things I'd looked forward to that finally happened: I graduated from college, started a book club, bought a car, and started the book I've been planning on writing (check out the prologue here).
Books I Loved: Night (Elie Wiesel), Between Shades of Gray (Ruta Sepetys), Together Tea (Marjan Kamali)
Favorite Movies: Maleficent, Big Hero 6, The Giver, and The Hundred Foot Journey
Things that scared me: Signing up for eHarmony - I cancelled my membership after 3 months of no success, but it was a good experience anyway; going on California Screamin', which was fun after I realized I wasn't actually going to die; and presenting at the UCTE annual conference (once I got talking, I really enjoyed sharing what I'd prepared).
Favorite Movies: Maleficent, Big Hero 6, The Giver, and The Hundred Foot Journey
Things that scared me: Signing up for eHarmony - I cancelled my membership after 3 months of no success, but it was a good experience anyway; going on California Screamin', which was fun after I realized I wasn't actually going to die; and presenting at the UCTE annual conference (once I got talking, I really enjoyed sharing what I'd prepared).
New responsibilities at work: I now teach both seventh and eighth grade English, and I co-advise the Student Council. I've also started helping to direct the school musical (we're doing "High School Musical" and it is going to rock!).
Music I jammed to: Lots of country, sparked by the Hunter Hayes concert I went to, but lots of sappy love songs and teen pop, too (I teach middle school, you know). I also listened to a lot more TED talks. Check out my "Soundtrack of 2014" playlist on Spotify, or watch this incredible TED talk that changed the way I think about goals - or do both!
Music I jammed to: Lots of country, sparked by the Hunter Hayes concert I went to, but lots of sappy love songs and teen pop, too (I teach middle school, you know). I also listened to a lot more TED talks. Check out my "Soundtrack of 2014" playlist on Spotify, or watch this incredible TED talk that changed the way I think about goals - or do both!
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Hard things about 2014 that I'm trying to love: Frustration with dating, or the lack thereof; feeling pressure to help my students have high standardized test scores while at the same time wanting to help them connect their learning to real-life situations and be good people; and feeling like I'm juggling so many things that I don't have time to stay in touch with my friends or get better at photography the way I want to.
Favorite moments of 2014: Kayaking in the ocean, drinking pina coladas, and star gazing on a cruise with Heather and Kelly. Spirit weeks (and my favorite student quote, on socks and sandals day: "Miss Brown, what are you wearing?"). The Hunter Hayes concert. Seeing my mom recover incredibly well from her knee surgery. My best friend Kari's wedding. Watching my students give their own TED talks in class. Disneyland - three times! Performing sacred ordinances for my ancestors in the temple. New York City with Grandma and Grandpa Jacobsen. BYU football games - we were on ESPN! Helping my aunt Marie get ready for her wedding in the Mt. Timpanogos temple. Road tripping to St. George, Beaver, and Logan to cheer on my dad in his bike races. Stumbling on a random, free, outdoor Train concert after the Days of '47 rodeo. Performing as Sybil (an incredibly ditzy fairy) in a summer production of "Sleeping Beauty." Watching my dad enter the world of social media - and enduring his newfound love of selfies. Organizing and delivering Sub for Santa gifts. Hanging out with family and friends.
Favorite moments of 2014: Kayaking in the ocean, drinking pina coladas, and star gazing on a cruise with Heather and Kelly. Spirit weeks (and my favorite student quote, on socks and sandals day: "Miss Brown, what are you wearing?"). The Hunter Hayes concert. Seeing my mom recover incredibly well from her knee surgery. My best friend Kari's wedding. Watching my students give their own TED talks in class. Disneyland - three times! Performing sacred ordinances for my ancestors in the temple. New York City with Grandma and Grandpa Jacobsen. BYU football games - we were on ESPN! Helping my aunt Marie get ready for her wedding in the Mt. Timpanogos temple. Road tripping to St. George, Beaver, and Logan to cheer on my dad in his bike races. Stumbling on a random, free, outdoor Train concert after the Days of '47 rodeo. Performing as Sybil (an incredibly ditzy fairy) in a summer production of "Sleeping Beauty." Watching my dad enter the world of social media - and enduring his newfound love of selfies. Organizing and delivering Sub for Santa gifts. Hanging out with family and friends.
As you can see, it was a pretty good year. Lots to love. But I think one of the things I'm most grateful for is the fact that my love for the Lord grew a lot in 2014. I had to rely on Him quite a bit, and as a result, I learned to trust Him and His promises even more. I truly do believe that He knows and wants what is best for us, and He is willing to help us reach our goals and achieve our righteous desires.
Thanks for being part of my 2014. It was lovely, wasn't it? Leave a comment and tell me about your favorite parts of 2014!