i rang in 2010 with vivacity, and although the 2009-10 NYE soiree i attended last year was as exciting as watching the 40-year-olds around me sipping glenlevit and hitting on young waitstaff, i still managed to ring in january 1st with a wave of positive energy and motivation.

twenty-ten was a huge year for me.

here are some highlights from the past year. i: studied some amazing queer lit at GVSU, took up swimming, took a random trip with an (almost) stranger to chicago and shared a bed with german girls, (wait, that sounds sexual. i swear it’s not! what i mean is, i stayed with strangers and slept with them too. i know, huge risk taker) made several late night beach excursions with some of the most genuine, kind and fun friends, got a sweet pair of bongos to add to my percussion set, visited the dominican republic, went cliff diving, enjoyed late night jam sessions with my band, got yelled at from an interviewee for revealing the truth about a non-effective weight loss product, graduated from GVSU where i earned my bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism, got turned down by nearly 50 news reporting jobs across the country, started my own video production & writing solutions company, ended a LTR that was super-long distance, made new friends that introduced me to new love, fell (am still falling) in love, repped (still reppin) the buick regal & lacrosse for the auto show, modeled in some amazing shoots and live events, was mentored by a few motivating, smart and humble grand rapidians, helped launch a successful lounge AND vacationed in california with my best friend and amazing partner.

so what did i learn? well, let’s just say SELF-DISCOVERY. holy smokes, it’s amazing what you learn about yourself in one short year. i also learned a TON of practical and character-shaping points from mentors and friends. i learned to be OKAY with the unknown and to trust God in His plans. i also learned that God blesses situations even when you go into them not fully understanding what is going on. i learned….to fall in love, to trust, hope and believe. my mentors taught me to be more positive and harness positive energy that surrounded me. i learned how to mend a broken heart. i learned how to beat the ‘bad economy’. i figured out how to buy an LCC. i mended friendships and made new ones. i took risks and enjoyed uncertainty. listening; i learned to actively LISTEN and apply the knowledge i heard to my life. honestly, i could go on with at least a hundred more things…

so what now? i won’t just ring in 2011, i’ll crash it with an intense amount of positive energy, LOVE and gratefulness. my resolution? apply all the things i learned in 2010 to grow more, learn to be more rational, and try not to be such a planning-mcgee because hey, although the mayans say the word will end in 2012, who knows if our last day will be tomorrow? (i’m sort of kidding..i realize that was kind of morbid, sorry).

if you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading. if you know me personally, thanks for shaping me into the woman i am today. i love you and appreciate your friendship.

cheers to love and a fruitful new year,

nadira