outnumbered in 2009

I started the day by sitting on a bench by the sand at the Goleta Point Beach this morning. It hit me as soon as I got near the sand and saw the movement of the waves rolling in and out that I hadn't been at the beach much lately. Usually that sight is so familiar to me, like that friend that lives in town that you are in touch with the most and usually know what is going on with them day-to-day. The beach and I haven't been as close lately due to the colder weather, darker days, holidays, and all the busy-ness I've had... But we are going to spend some more quality time together as the days get lighter, and since I'm moving just a few minutes closer to one of my favorite beaches to visit at sunset.

I will also be getting to know some beaches somewhere else, far far away, come next month...

I'm going to spend a few weeks of our winter in New Zealand for their summer.
This is a dream come true, and I can hardly believe it's actually happening.

The photo on the header of this blog is of one of the first beaches in that country on my list to see... and explore, and read by, and run along, and take pictures on. Maybe when I return I will replace the photo above with one of my own from the same spot.

I've been wanting to go for over 4 1/2 years now, and the fact that I planned for and saved over this past year and now to make it happen is one of my biggest accomplishments thus far. I like to dream, but it can be hard for me to take action sometimes.

So here's to a 2009 full of adventure. A year with backpacking and hostelling. A year with a cruise to Mexico with dear friends. A year where I get to do more work that I love than I have been in recent years. A year with taking more chances but secure in the fact that I know myself well enough to handle whatever may come.

And like I decided on New Year's Day and wrote out on a pretty little card to see every day, here's to a year where I (among other things):
*am more in the moment instead of imagining the next step or how things could be better
*try two new recipes every month
*am less self-absorbed
*am more in touch with my brother
*live with as much honesty and straightforwardness as possible
*pray more specifically, which enables me to focus and pray more frequently
*eat more natural less processed foods
*keep working on being someone that others feel understood by

Happy New Year to you!