the start of something new.

new years is time where we throw out the old and ring in the new.  where party poppers, champagne, and funny hats run wild.  we look at the last year and think about all the great things we did and what we want to change in the upcoming year.  and of course resolutions.

this new years was a bit of a different concept for me.  it was the first year i would be able to kiss the same person as the year before as previous relationships had never lasted through 2 new years eves.  i also had a bit of a desire for something new to do for the evening.  being young and not having a ton of money we are all limited to the things we can do.  i have always wanted though, to get all gussied up and go out to a high end place, drink martinis out of real glasses and countdown with a drop ball of our own.  ::sigh:: maybe one day. 

we decided to keep it simple, and a little inexpensive, by going to matts house for the new years eve party/rave.  we arrived about 9pm and were immediately immersed in the activities!  eating, of course, and making vanessas famous jungle juice in the same container we would be storing our ornaments in a few days later.  the inside of the house was the party scene and the garage had been turned into a glow-in-the-dark world.  the cups for beer pong had been highlighted so they would glow.  there was a projector on the wall with the weird graphic that plays on windows media player, it was very cool though.  there were enough glow-sticks to dress an army that of course we all donned proudly. 

the night seemed to fly!  i didnt see much of richard in the beginning of the night, as soon as the drinks started pouring we both seemed to go different ways.  and for the first time, i felt comfortable enough to be ok with that.  i felt like the group had really accepted me and i could have my own conversations with them.  there was also more girls being added to the group, which usually doesnt make things easier, but for some reason in this group it does.  i guess being around for a year and a half really makes me one of the group now. 

as midnight approached we all started piling into the living room/kitchen where the tv was getting ready to countdown to the magical time.  richard and i found each other in the kitchen and were instantly wrapped up together.  when the final countdown was complete there was celebration all over the house.  happy new years wishes spread everywhere, hugs abound, and kisses all over.  our new years kiss though, was a different kind of magic.  it was like the rest of the room stopped and i was only in there with him.  it was the kind of kiss you hear about in books and movies, but not in real life.  maybe it was a little bit of the jungle juice we both had, or maybe it was the aura of the 2nd year kiss.  either way it was the best new years kiss i have ever had. 

the party raged on for the next few hours and before any of us knew it was 2am.  we were all starving by this point and not suited to go anywhere.  thank goodness lora and mike had brought frozen pizza.  lora and i of course had a system going and were doling out pizza only to the people we knew/liked.  soon after that the party started to die down and we all were making our way home.  richard and i left soon later, so exhausted im surprised we made it home. 

we woke the next day with a bright start to the new year.  nothing had been bad, nothing had been good, i hadnt overreacted to anything, and no bad news had been given.  it was the epitome of a clean slate, a fresh start for everyone.  we had decided to start the new year focused on our apartment...shopping for a new couch.  later in the day my family was hosting a new years dinner, so we had a few hours to do our shopping.  jennifer had told me about the rc wiley clearance center in north las vegas that would give us a smokin deal, and i finally convinced richard it was time to look.  i had been looking for a few weeks and knew basically what i wanted.  we had decided we wanted a sectional with the long end on the left hand side to go underneath the window.  we ventured up north and instantly found the perfect couch, dark brown, suede, and huge.  i was positive and ready to purchase.  richard however was not so sure.  we ended up sitting on that couch for about a half hour talking about things, it was actually really helpful. 

not quite ready to purchase we headed back down the freeway to check out ashley furniture and walker furniture.  ashley had a great couch that would have been perfect if the back cushions hadnt been pillows.  and walker, well this was the best we found...

it was kind of cool, just not our style.  after this we decided it was time to head back to our beautiful brown couch at rc wiley.  we were definitely running out of time, but were afraid that if we didnt buy it today it might not be there.  when we got back it was pretty quick and easy process, and i recruited my brother to help me pick up the couch monday after work. 

after the purchase we headed out to my parents house and were greeted by big congratulations from my family.  it was our first big purchase together.  it made me realize, i was really in this, full force. 

i decided this year i am not going to make the typical lose weight, quit drinking, get organzied resolutions.  i want this year to be about making myself happy.  continuing my running and actually enjoying it.  learn to take a step back sometimes before reacting.  and try not to be so hard on myself.  surround myself with people i love and enjoy.  it is the turn of a new decade, time for a whole new way to grow.