Reverb10

I started off answering the Reverb10 prompts a week or two ago, and then just.... didn't. Blame the end of the school year, my laziness... and well, mostly my laziness. (And a slightly obsession with Glee, that may be taking up a fair bit of my holiday time in the form of Season 1 reruns.)

The first four can be found here.

December 5 – Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why?

An ex. Time to move on. He has... so moving on is what I needed to do. I'm getting there.



December 6 – Make. What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?

Christmas Brownies!!! There's not really anything Christmassy about them.... but they were requested along with the normal Christmas baking (Fruit Mince Meat Pies (mini) and Butter Tarts) so I guess that makes them Christmas Brownies. I used.... cocoa, butter, flour, baking powder, dark chocolate chips, eggs, sugar and a pinch of salt.
I would like to find some kind of crafty/arty thing to fill my time... but haven't quite got there yet.



December 7 – Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011?

I became closer (in a sense) to my school community - the people I work with, the church we are part of... I think that I became closer and more in touch with my own faith, and with that which I am teaching. As for next year.... I would like to work even harder at becoming closer to my community of friends.  Taking more time to do nice things for them, spend time with them - especially those who it's harder to find the time for - and just generally be a better friend.



December 8 – Beautifully Different. Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful.

I know that my sense of humor is what often draws people to me. I am funny. I can be very funny. I generally have a nice balance of funny and serious. I give good advice, but don't expect people to always take it. I'm a good friend - I listen. I can cook well. I think that I'm becoming a better teacher - I know that I care immensely about what happens to my students, how they achieve... and if they're having fun and engaging in what we're doing. I like my eyes. I like the way my eyes stand out when I use makeup. I like my hair on good days. I like my skin. I like the way that I've become a lot more careful about what I eat, and how much I eat. I like the fact that I'm becoming a better singer, and I'm becoming better and not resenting those who can sing. I like myself for what I believe, and I like that I'm not ashamed of my beliefs, that I'm willing to hear other peoples thoughts and sometimes, I'm willing to adjust my beliefs... I am proud of what I believe, but I also don't feel the need to shove them in others faces. I think that when I'm at my most beautiful, I am laughing with friends.


December 9 – Party. What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans

The work Christmas party. It seriously rocked my socks off. I'm not going to say much on here - that's not fair to those who were there. All I will say is that I had the tim eof my life - I think it might be the best party I've ever been to. I had so much fun with a group of people that are awesome.


December 10 – Wisdom. What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out?

To let go of my preconceptions of how my life should turn out, of the direction my feelings should take... to let go. I'll let you know how that all plays out for me.


December 11 – 11 Things. What are 11 things your life doesn’t need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life?

1. My weight. - I'm working on that right now. Eating less, eating better... I've started swimming more, and plan to swim everyday once we're at the beach for the summer. I used to.. I can do it again.
2. My insecurities - Say what I think and want to say... and not sit mulling it over again and again.
3. My ex. Done and dusted baby.
4. Laziness. Less sitting, more doing. Less dreaming, more acting.
5. Procrastination. If it has to get done, ithas to get done. May as well do it sooner, rather than later.
6. To much seriousness. Time to lighten up.
7. Worry. Life happens when you're busy living it. A friend told me that a few days ago - and she's right. Time to stop worrying and get on with it.
8. Spending - gotta get back to that budget. Spending is fun and all.. but saving is better.
9. People who drag me down - it'll be hard, because when you see someone all the time, and you're a pretty nice person... it can be hard to not be NICE all the time. But I need to take a step back and stop letting this person use me.
10. The way I think people are watching - nobody cares. If you want to dance, dance.No one is watching... and if they are, who cares?
11. Bitching - let's try to bring it down to once a week shall we?


December 12 – Body Integration. This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn’t mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present.

I'm going to be completely honest and lame here... but last night, when I lit the forth advent candle... I know there are proper prayers for advent and all, but being me... I have no idea what they are. I lit the candles and wandered into the kitchen to throw away the match.... and stood in the moonlight and just said my own little prayer. Definate body integration.


December 13 – Action. When it comes to aspirations, it’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step?

Swim everyday. Care more.


December 14 – Appreciate. What’s the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it.

My friends. By being nice to them? :)


December 15 – 5 Minutes. Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010.

U2 concert - rocking under the stars and moon with a great friend, loud music and the wind blowing in my hair.
Christmas party - dancing with friends, not caring what people thought.
The look of joy on the faces of the kids in my class as we watched the music video we put together as our end of year project.


December 16 – Friendship. How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst?

To take certain things seriously, to let go of others. To know that life is what happens when you're busy living it. To let go, have fun and have a few drinks... the world won't end if you have fun.


December 17 – Lesson Learned. What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward?

That I am awesome. I will continue to be awesome. ;)


December 18 – Try. What do you want to try next year? Is there something you wanted to try in 2010? What happened when you did / didn’t go for it?

Admiting my feelings to the person I admire/love/adore.


December 19 – Healing. What healed you this year? Was it sudden, or a drip-by-drip evolution? How would you like to be healed in 2011?

Knowing that life goes on. Nothing is that bad. There are always worse things that could happen. Oh, totally drip by drip...


December 20 – Beyond Avoidance What should you have done this year but didn’t because you were too scared, worried, unsure, busy or otherwise deterred from doing? (Bonus: Will you do it?)

Lost weight. It's an endless battle. I think I have the right motivation now.