Wednesday, January 2, 2019

2018 for Juliana Grace & My New Years Resolutions

Happy 2019! That is going to feel so weird for so long. I always feel like the odd numbered years take longer to adjust too. Is that just me?
I love writing these posts, for myself to look back on as a form of digital scrapbook. Every year I enjoy sharing my favorite memories, outfits, movies, and books from the year. I also included my word of the year and New Years Resolutions. Let's dive it!


Favorite Memories:

I started the new year off at Disney World celebrating UCF's win over Auburn and an undefeated season! It was so crazy to see the entire team and city of Orlando at Disney World wearing black and gold! This is what happens when you go to college right near Disney World.. I LOVE where I live!

I ran several races earlier this year when it was cooler, and loved it. I can't wait to get back into the swing of running. My sister wasn't a huge fan of the early wake up call, but we had a blast!

2018 is the year God called me to make one of the biggest and most amazing changes in my life. I switched my major to Special Education and began working with individuals with special needs. Y'all… these hilarious, strong, and brilliant people have brought more joy to my life than I could ever explain and I will always remember this year fondly for this reason. I can't believe I have been missing out on these amazing relationships my whole life. 

This past summer, I left my job working in retail after 3.5 years to work part time as an ESL (English as a Second Language) Teacher. I LOVE my job now and am so passionate and excited to work six days a week. This year has brought so much happiness to my life, can't express the importance of finding a job you love (or at least like). I always thought that I was stuck working jobs I didn't like because I hadn't graduated college yet, but am so thankful God answered my prayer in providing me with a job I really like, before I get to do my ultimate dream job.

I sponsored this cutie patotie through Compassion International and seeing updates on the education and resources he is receiving has been SO cool. The only con, is that I can't squeeze his cheeks in person!

My family took a vacation to Siesta Key, which is ranked the most beautiful beach in the world, for good reason. This was such a relaxing and fun vacay with family.

My Fall season was all football all the time. We kicked off the season at the first Alabama game of the season. Roll Tide!

Cheered on my Knights with friends a couple times this season!


ESPN Gameday was shot one Saturday at UCF and I was on TV when the bus arrived on campus a few days before!

My sister and I woke up at the crack of dawn to get an up close spot for gameday. Getting to see Kirk, Reese, David, Desmond, and Maria up close after watching them for years on TV was SO crazy and awesome!!

My dad and I went to the Alabama vs. UCF Basketball game and had a great date (:

My mom and I had a great day at Epcot together!

I enjoyed the holidays with family both locally and in Alabama!

I ended the year teaching in my silly headgear and loving every silly second of it!

Favorite Outfits:
Loved this fun bag during the summer and can't wait to use it again!

Love me a good maxi dress when it's hot!

Love these Fall outfits!

These shoes!!! L.O.V.E

This is a recent one, but definitely a favorite. My new bag is my baby!

Another new one, but I can't help myself. Go Knights!


Favorite Movies:
My favorite movie that came out this year, by FAR! I could watch it over and over again. SO cute!

My sister and I bawled our eyes out and loved this one. So underrated!

Slightly embarrassed by how funny I found this movie and how many times I have watched it at home (:

Loved both of these books and the movies Netflix created also. 


Favorite TV Shows:
Nothing new, Gilmore Girls is still my favorite show to have on while I do chores and homework. Love me some Lorelai and Rory!

I am still working my way through this show with my Momma and we are having a blast. Love this show!

Starting watching this show recently on Netflix and it is SO intense, wow. I'm hooked on this one!


Favorite Books:
You can read about my favorite books from this year here. I am getting too lazy to type all of them out again (: haha!

My 2019 Resolutions:

My Word of the Year: Uncomfortable

I highly recommend listening to this message from Andy Stanley. It is SO good for the New Year and is what inspired me to pick this word for the year. I always stick to my comfort zones and often times only follow what God asks me to do when it is convenient. I feel called this year to do something, that cost me something, as Andy Stanley stated in his first point. I also feel called to share my faith more this year, as uncomfortable and as unqualified that may make me feel. This year is going to be reeaalll uncomfortable, in a reaalllyyy good way.

Now on to my specific resolutions for the new year and what goals I have set for 2019:

1. Make my bed up every day. Obviously I will slip up a day here and there but I want to get in the habit of making up my bed every morning and starting my day on the right foot. As this Navy Admiral said in his speech at a graduation, you can't change the world without first making your bed. I want to change the world.. so this is where we are starting.

2. Fall in love with running again. I will be honest and say that in the second half of 2018, I got burnt out. I was training for my first half marathon, which I didn't end up being able to run due to a bad health problem and just felt burnt out. I was forcing myself to run past when my body was telling me to and was so worried about my pace and time that I forgot to just enjoy it. I have a few shorter races planned to run in 2019 and want to just have fun and enjoy them. I was much healthier when I actually enjoyed the exercise.

3. Challenge myself in my daily devotions. I love my quiet time with the Lord each morning (or night) but feel that my bible reading is starting to get stale. I have read the same passages several times now and am forgetting to dive into it and ask hard questions. I want to have a deeper relationship with Christ this coming year.

4. Read, read, read! I nailed this one last year and hope to keep it up. Reading has changed my life and I hope to do just as much reading in 2019. In fact, I already finished my first book of the year so we are off to a good start.

5. Study Hard and Have Fun. Although I am extroverted and love meeting new people, I am a homebody by nature and have always had to mentally remind myself to get out and have fun with friends. Ha! I am so excited to start my Junior year at UCF this coming year and I want to succeed academically while also meeting new people and soaking up everything the school has to offer. 


Well there you have it. What goals do you have for 2019? I always love a fresh start and can't wait to share everything this year with y'all. Talk to you Friday!

xoxo

4 comments :

  1. 2018 was an epic year for you!! From these pictures it looks like you had a blast! I guess I didn't know you were so passionate about sports either.
    Hope 2019 is awesome and you reach your goals!

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    1. It was a great year, and oh yes.. I have always been a sports person! Every year I seem to develop a love for yet another sport. This past year I really took a liking into Ice Hockey too and went to several local games.

      I hope 2019 is great for you too girl. I appreciate your support!

      xoxo

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  2. 2018 was quite an awesome year for you! My mom and brother are both UCF alums so I am by default a UCF fan. (I went to UNF in Jacksonville and we don't have a football team.)

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    1. Yay Go Knights! I don't think I could go to a school without a football team, haha. Just kidding, it's all about the academics (;

      xoxo

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