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Hard Work & Project 365

January 8, 2012August 25, 2015 Crystal // Dreams, etc. 2 comments
Hard Work & Project 365

As I was thinking back on my writing in 2011, I realized that I was a lot more productive than I have been since high school, when I used to spend class periods writing as I was “taking notes.” However, I was also disappointed because I didn’t complete all of the goals that I had.

A few days ago I received an email from a good friend of mine. We have always bonded over our mutual love of YA lit (as well as the written word in general), coffee, good movies and TV shows, creativity, tea, our faith, fluffy movies and TV shows, and chocolate pastries. She also reads everything that I write. Towards the end of 2011 I had sent her two rough drafts of different stories that I have in the works and in her response she told me that she was able to see growth in my writing, which was the product of all of the hard work that I had put in.

It was a great reminder that while I didn’t accomplish all of my goals, all of the writing that I put in throughout the year wasn’t wasted. It really did pay off and will benefit me in the coming year. I haven’t written down any writing goals yet, although I do have an idea of what they will be. As I prepare look back on my writing goals from 2011 and think about Ari’s email, I will remember that regardless of the outcome for my 2012 goals, the work is what matters.

Here is to a productive 2012 for me and all of you in whatever goals you have set for yourselves!

And now, it’s time to start getting caught up on Project 365! I think I will stop including photo titles (though I have them) and just post dates along with these pictures. My photo titles are so bad!

11/13

Towards the end of the year my mom and I started a rewatch of the Harry Potter series. When the holidays arrived we stopped watching. We should get back to that soon!

11/14

Sleeping puppy. Look at that perfectly placed spot on the top of her head!

11/15

Getting ready for the day. A case of bobby pins on hand means I was putting my hair into an updo.

11/16

The little pillow hog! One thing that I discovered about her is that she loves being under pillows.

11/17

I began reading this novel in the middle of November. It took me until the end of the year to finish it, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it! I really loved the beautiful writing. The opening paragraphs took my breath away.

11/18

Another sleeping photo. It most likely means this was taken as midnight was quickly approaching. I miss her!

11/19

I spent some time going through old books at the end of the year in order to get rid of some that I knew I would never read again. This notecard popped out of a book as I was looking through them. I was confused as to where it came from until I realized that I had lent the book to my friend Amber while she was working on a Master’s Degree.

About Crystal

About Crystal

Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

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Bonne année!
The Red Shoes (1948)

2 comments

  1. *tarazza says:
    January 9, 2012 at 6:09 pm

    Um… why do I not have a handy bobby-pin holder?! Clearly I need one.

    Love the photos!!

    Congrats on making so much progress in your writing. There is nothing more satisfying!

    Reply
  2. Julia, the Thanksgiving Girl says:
    January 13, 2012 at 1:50 pm

    11/18 is amazing!! Love how you can see her pink-ish skin "showing" through rare white hair on her elbow 🙂

    As for goals… I honestly think that sometime we plan far too much, amount f stuff we'd never be able to accomplish. But at the same time, it's good to plan more because it gives you sense of meaning and keeps you going, it's just important to never regret what you haven't achieved but instead feel grateful for the "wins". That's how I approach it and I never feel regret, I think of it more as of a lesson.

    Reply

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hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

Hello, friends! 👋🏼 Swipe through for a few g Hello, friends! 👋🏼 Swipe through for a few glimpses from January. As 2022 came to an end I had this feeling that I was preparing to hibernate and I guess, in a way, I have. I’ve been slowly easing into the new year, focused on getting back into a few routines after Iceland and the holidays. And it’s been a great month. I can’t believe it’s almost over. What have your favorite moments of January been?
2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of 2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of so many dreams experiences. Whales. Cape Cod/Nantucket. Iceland. I saw musicals that have I’ve been dreaming of with Moulin Rouge, Wicked, and Six. 

It wasn’t without its stresses and rough moments but I’m grateful for the good that can be found, even when it’s hard.
Let’s journey back to November for the second we Let’s journey back to November for the second weekly dam walk of the month. My dad joined me for this one and we made it somewhat fast because it was a chilly day. “The water looks cold,” I said when we back to the car.

Between Iceland and the below zero, windy, and snowy weather we had last week (which came with requests from my parents not to go) it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been to the dam and I miss it!
Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Vienna and it still lives in my memory today as such a special time. I know December in Reykjavik will be the same—and not just because I came home with a little over $100 worth of ornaments of all 13 Yule Lads AND their mom AND the Christmas cat. (There was a little bit of miscommunication between my mom and me on that shopping trip. 😂)

It might have been cold (and when that wind hits you don’t want to be outside or by the harbour…I speak from windswept, breath-stolen experience and will forever be grateful for the library we eventually found respite in) and we only saw the sun a few hours each day, but seeing this already charming city decked out in Christmas lights with a skating rink and the prettiest tree secured it’s place in my heart.

Reykjavik, I hope to see you again one day. Soon. Probably not in December, but I’m glad I got to see you in December once.
Last year my niece and I visited New York at Chris Last year my niece and I visited New York at Christmastime and it was fun to see the city decked out in lights. I can also now say that I’ve seen the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and skating rink and the Saks Christmas lights, but I’ve also seen the crowds they draw.

It was completely different in Reykjavik this year. You actually had a chance to skate on the ice rink if you wanted (and I never did the conversation, but I think it’s cheaper) and you could actually walk up to the Christmas tree. Two very different Christmas in the city experiences.
Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle tour with a stop at Thingvellir National Park. My fingers froze as I took these photos but it was worth it to capture this view. 😍 PS - the last photo is from a lake we stopped at on our way from Geysir to Thingvellir.
Iceland, Day 2, Part 1. We went on a rather unvent Iceland, Day 2, Part 1. We went on a rather unventful Northern Lights tour the night before and slipped in a few hours of sleep before meeting our bus for the Golden Circle tour. Our tour guide was @busdriver_annie and she was amazing! Pictured: Faxi (the small waterfall) Gullfoss (the big waterfall), a wool market where we also saw some animals, and Geysir (the hot springs area). Geysir is actually the most famous geyser in the world but it doesn’t erupt anymore. However, Strokkur erupts every 5 - 10 minutes. I’ll share more photos from the tour soon!
Iceland, Day 1. We landed bright and early at 6:30 Iceland, Day 1. We landed bright and early at 6:30 am, dropped off our bags at the hotel, and went exploring. We saw Hallgrímskirkja, the amazing view from the bell tower, the rainbow street, and walked down Laugavegur. Swipe to the end to see the view from our apartment!
Scenes from November, which were mostly at the dam Scenes from November, which were mostly at the dam apparently.
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