Its that time of year again–the time where you hear people speak about change and improving life for the sake of their well-being. It’s that time of year where we hear people recount what they’ve accomplished within those 525, 600 minutes they were granted and for the next to come. I, for one, am looking forward to what the new year has to offer. This year hasn’t been an easy one. I’ve certainly had my moments where I felt as if the world was against me. Nevertheless, I always made it through. I always found the courage that seemed to be unattainable, and I made it.

Going into the new year, I’m perfecting a plan that I’ve set in motion earlier this year to prevent some of those unfortunate events from reoccurring. I know that I’d never know what lies ahead, but I’m prepared regardless. Chiefly, I’m focused on enchancing my quality of life. I want to travel and I want to be reaquainted with my spontaniety. I want to have another successful semester (I’m 2 for 2) and I want a better grip on my finances. I’m working on being a bit more organized and I’m working on decreasing my habit of procrastinating. And well to me, that seems like a great start.

For the most part, I’m satisfied with things that I’ve experienced and witnessed this year, and my eyes are w i d e open, as well as my mind and heart, to what is in store in 2011. There is always room for improvement, so I’m keeping that in mind as the new year approaches. I’m really looking forward to what else there is to conquer. I can’t say that I’m going to do a complete 180° turn, but be on the lookout for those 90° movements.

I’ll see you all in 2011! God Bless.

Sometimes, I can be quite the humanitarian. I love the feeling I get when I truly help someone overcome a burden or hardship. I think that is mainly because I know exactly what it’s like to be in that type of situation. I know what it’s like to pinch a penny and stretch a dollar. But, the difference is that if I were to ever come up short, I have an amazing support system that I can turn to. It’s evident that some people don’t have that and it truly breaks my heart. It saddens me to see this but it also makes me realize how blessed I am.

So with my abundance of blessings, I give back in any way I can. I don’t have much money but it definitely won’t create a financial burden if I were to make a donation. Every year, we participate in Toys for Tots. I let my daughter pick a toy to donate to a little boy or girl and she simply loves the idea. In my opinion, it teaches her to be considerate of a person’s situation and it also allows her to help. I don’t know about anyone else, but it gives me a wonderful feeling.

Of course, Christmas is not just about receiving the gifts that you wanted, but most children don’t understand that and they simply look forward to receiving the toys and game that they want. This is why I participate in the Toys for Tots program. The looks on my children’s faces after they’re tearing away at the paper that took me hours to wrap around their gift is indescribable. Every kid deserves that moment.