Dreams Come True!!!! (It's OFFICIAL)

I got the contract today!!!!  What a great start to the day! After sharing this information via social networking, I was reminded of how long I have been talking about this as a final decision!  One friend, Cindy, reminded me that last June after flying across the country to see Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney in Nashville, I had begun talking about this wonderful adventure. She said, "You did it, you rascal!" It reminded me of the man I met from Detroit, who is the vice president of a non-profit company in the city. After a casual conversation about life, travel, culture, and dreams, he had told me "go to China" as he boarded his plane. I was reminded of a conversation last fall with one of my long-time best friends, who told me, "way to go! I'm so proud of you Amanda! Way to make your dreams a reality!"  There was so much support and excitment for us as we are heading to embark on this fantastic adventure.

There were so many steps that have gotten me here. SO many people who played a role in reminding me of my dream, and more importantly to GO FOR IT!!!  With the fast pace of life, sometimes we get so caught up in the day-to-day that our dreams take the back burner, they get set aside because there is something that is SO IMPORTANT that needs to be done NOW. But when you think about it, what is more important than living your life?? What is more important than the relationships and experiences?  I have struggled with this over the past year. As you noticed with my long absences between posting last year, I did not complete my Happiness Project as intended, though it awoke in me a fire for change. I have actively decided to make changes to my priorities, giving those most important to me the best of me. Don't get me wrong, I fall short sometimes, no one is perfect. But the reflection that follows helps me make better choices next time. I am an active, busy person, and looking around my home, there's always something that "needs to be done. But again, is it that important the it must be done NOW??  I have come a long way since last year with this, but still, there is room for improvement.

My next thirty years started with reflection of where I was, a reevaluation of my life, my dreams, and my goals. I have taken back my dreams. Taken steps to get there. And you know what? I'm almost there!!! In four and a half months, we will be in BEIJING, CHINA!!!  To everyone who helped me get here, thank you!!

Amanda :)