Best of 2008 & Wishes for 2009

1. Student teaching 6th grade at Scott Middle School and Graduating from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln with an Elementary Education degree were two of the best things that happened to me in 2008. I had an amazing time student teaching and I really connected with my cooperating teacher, Mr. Daharsh and the 6th grade students. I was also the site director for the YMCA after school program at Scott for the past three years, so I have a true connection with the faculty, staff, students and families at Scott Middle School and it felt natural to do my student teaching there. Graduating was an amazing feeling, 4 years of hard work and dedication paid off and I am so proud to have been a Husker, to be a graduate from UNL. Thank you so much, Mom and Dad, for all of your love and support and for giving a great college education. Thank you to all of my family and friends for all of your love and support, and for making my years a UNL fun and memorable, and for celebrating with my at my Graduation party. I love you all so much!!

2. Being hired to be an Alpha Xi Delta Educational Leadership Consultant. Ever since I learned what and ELC was, it became a dream of mine to become one. Alpha Xi Delta has given me so much and I was so inspired by my own chapter advisor, Becky, and by the other Alpha Xi Deltas I’ve met at the National Convention and The Workout, that I wanted the opportunity to give back and inspire other Alpha Xi Deltas. I knew that as an ELC I could inspire women to realize their potential as I continue to realize mine. Alpha Xi Delta is truly an amazing organization and I am so thankful to be a part of it. Traveling as an ELC I’ve been able to see so many great places and meet so many amazing people! I thank God everyday for all of the memories and lessons I am learning as I continue on this amazing journey. I love my job!!

3. I was able to do many fun things with my friends in 2008, and the next few items on the list are my favorite memories from the year. I kicked of 2008 by going skiing in Silverthorne, Colorado in January with my Alpha Xi Delta sisters from my new member class of 2004. It was our big trip as a class, as a group of friends. We had an amazing time and it was a very memorable trip of snow tubing, shopping, going out, hanging out and just having fun.

4. Teri & Abram Clark’s wedding was so awesome. Stephanie Murnan, Alysa, LeAnna, Lauren and Alison were Teri’s bridesmaids. Everything from getting our hair done at the salon to the beautiful ceremony, to the rock star reception, it was a memorable event. Ross, Andy, Matt and a bunch of our other Gross High classmates met us all at the reception. Because we were all in drama and choir together we busted out a few choreographed moves during the reception. It was so much fun!! Love you, friends!! Helen & Josh Cool’s wedding was also a blast! I was a bridesmaid in that wedding as well and it was a great weekend!! We sang to them, we danced! I will say small town boys know how to dance!

5. Alpha Xi Delta’s Senior Week & Spring Formal. Senior Week was a little bittersweet, but very memorable. Spring Formal was so much fun; we ditched our guys and decided to go to formal as a group. We had a blast!! Definitely a high light of the year! I love you girls!!

6. The “Sraguoc” family reunion at Platt River State Park. Tricia, LeAnna, Lauren, Steph, Teir, Alysa, Amanda, Matt, Andy, John, Abram, Zach, Liam and Jared, thank you for being such great friends and for such a fun trip. Can’t wait until we can do that again at the end of 2009!!

6. Weekly hang outs with Liz. Elizabeth has been my best friend since I was 9, and in the last few years, despite the fact that I went to school in Lincoln, we just didn’t get together that often. However, my last semester at UNL, Liz and I were able to get together almost every Wednesday night, we’d meet for drinks and appetizers at Applebee’s, go shopping, eat dinner at Breada, just hang out at her house or get our nails done; it didn’t really matter what we did, but it was great to catch up and reconnect. Love ya, Liz!

7. Training in Indianapolis with my ELC sisters! This was a life changing time. I left home, newly single and fresh out of college, and very nervous of what the next few months would bring. I was so blessed to have 5 other women with me, going through the same thing I was, supporting me, loving me, laughing, growing and learning with me, as we all learned how to stand on our own to feet. These women have become my best friends and I love you all so much. We had an amazing time together in Indianapolis, in St. Louis and in Atlanta!! Memories I will cherish forever!! I also had an awesome time in Indianapolis with my ELC and LC sisters in December. It was so great to get to know the my LC sisters a little better and to all be together again. Winter, Laura, Mary, Heather, Sam, Samantha and Margaret, I love you all.

8. First dates- dinner, smoothies, ice skating and movie- all in one night!! Hand holding and first kisses that take your breath away.

That’s the best of 2008. There were a lot of other great things that happened in 2008, but these items listed above take the cake! 2008 was fun, exciting, challenging, life changing, emotional, interesting, inspiring and amazing! Although 2008 was pretty great, I just have a feeling 2009 will be even better! Here are a few goals I have set for 2009:
1. Get a teaching job.
2. Buy a car.
3. Get a place to live, other than Mom & Dad’s house.
4. Fall in love.
5. Adopt a pet.
6. Go on a few summer vacations with my family & friends.
7. Learn something new, everyday.
8. Dance a little more often.
9. Be brave, take a risk, take a chance.
10. Become a better person, do more good.

I wish you and yours all the best in 2009!

Lots of Love,

Emmalie