Nothing but excessive amounts of relaxation, that’s all I’ve experienced the past couple of weeks. Christmas Eve brought the entire family together, and I couldn’t have been happier with the events of the day.

The rest of the year was spent making sure our house was spotless for the arrival of 2010.

However, school is inching its way closer and closer, and I have begun to feel my responsibilities for the coming semester seep through my relaxation. It’s time to jump back into school mode. I’m very excited. I look forward to my last couple of months at LJ High. There will be more college classes, more newspapers to edit, more ACT blogs to submit, finishing up the yearbook, and the prom and graduation to look forward to. Wow!

Oh, and I got a job! The manager at a nearby Little Caesars is taking me in and, I’m very pleased that it’s close to home, but most of all, he’s willing to work with my college class schedule. My parents are very supportive of my decision to start working. I feel I must create some sort of financial stability starting now. I just know that I can’t let it come between me and my academic responsibilities.

My vacation felt great, I got a chance to get my head straight. But now I am so ready for everything to start again! Hard work, and perseverance, that’s what I brought with me when I stepped into 2010.

The year 2009 is now just a collection of amazing memories, as I find myself facing a new decade. The past 12 months were wonderful, but now I turn over a new leaf, a fresh start, and I look forward to many more great moments. I looked up and saw the fireworks flash their brilliant variety of lights across the sky and I smiled.

“Another fresh new year is here . . . Another year to live! To banish worry, doubt, and fear, to love and laugh and give!” –William Arthur Ward

Happy New Year 2010!