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Check out this ridiculousness. 2000 photos?! I never thought it would be possible.

What I've Learned: 2008 Version

I know end-of-the-year lists are supposed to come, well, at the end of each year, but everyone else was doing lists and I was getting sick of them. Then I was inspired to just write a bunch of stuff that I’ve learned, since I keep blathering on to people about “how much I’ve learned about myself”. 2008 was a banner year for change. I graduated college right before the year started, which in and of itself was huge for me. 2008 has been a slow-moving, meandering year in which I did not do much (in a traditional sense). I moved in with my parents, saw a few relationships end and begin, lost and gained friends, and watched a whole hell of a lot of movies.

- I can survive not eating fast food several times a week. It does not even seem to be a necessary hangover cure, though eating a greasy, nasty burger sure feels good sometimes.
- People don’t really give a shit about what you wear. Seriously. I’ve taken to wearing cardigans over men’s t-shirts, jeans, and boots, and have been getting more compliments than ever. You don’t need to have your boobs out or wear sequined tops in order to get noticed.
- Facebook used to be an obsession – thousands of photos to look at, constantly updated, a special nickname, hundreds of friends. But then it changed. All of a sudden, people were getting married, or having babies, neither of which I was prepared for or going through. It became a place where you learned about people’s new relationships instead of hearing it straight from the horse’s mouth. But you know what I’ve learned? When those new girlfriends are goofy looking, it can be an ego-smoother.
- A haircut can change you. Getting bangs has done worlds for my “image”, by making me feel like the person I want to be. Quirky, messy, stylish, whatever – that’s what I was going for, and I think it really worked for me. (Also, there’s this: “when you are introduced to a group of white people, it’s a good idea to befriend the girl with the bangs. She’s probably the most popular.”) (http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2008/06/27/104-girls-with-bangs/)
- Your friends don’t define you. Most people who read this blog are familiar with my group of girl friends from school – tanned, pretty, shiny and perfect hair, they embodied everything that I never was when I was younger. I don’t know how I fell in with them (probably because of our mutual like for staying up late and partying when we were 18), but I’m glad I did. Though I fell into being “one of those girls” for a while, I now know that I can be both – I can be an attractive chick (though I cringe describing myself that way) with something funny or interesting to say.
- Pedialyte and Advil. PEDIALYTE AND ADVIL. I had one of the worst hangovers of my life on Thanksgiving day (I’m a model daughter), and Pedialyte saved my ass. Just don’t take Advil PM in the early morning, that’s just crazy.
- You might think that you know someone, but you never really do. Especially if they change themself to be something or someone that you like.
- Dance parties are the best way to end a night, even if you’re not drinking.
- My zombie dreams tapered off. I think I can actually attribute them to a certain person, but I don’t want to pass the blame for the insane workings of my brain.
- I don’t care what kind of alcohol it is, free booze is free booze, and it is better than any expensive vodka you could ever buy.
- Thinking ahead in your life instead of getting stuck in it will help with your mental well-being. I spent months having nightmares every night, tossing and turning, waking up in a cold sweat, until I started thinking proactively about my life – deadlines, events, making plans – all have helped to minimize the stress that I’ve been feeling about finding a job. I’ll get one, guys. And if I don’t, fuck it. I’ll move.
- Tumblr is a source of endless entertainment, once you get a few favorites.
- Safeway makes the world’s most amazing sandwiches, and they’re cheap too. (This was actually a 2k9 discovery, but hey, I’ll let it fly.)
- You can drink really good, delicious microbrews, but you’re never too old to embarrass yourself at Zydecos.
- The most fun can be had when you step outside your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to go somewhere you’ve never been, or do something you’ve never done. And if you’re scared, fake that you’re not.
- 30 Rock is my new bible, since I’m not all that familiar with that other one.
- Travel. Travel, travel, travel. Spend all of your money traveling. You will learn so much about the way you handle situations, it’s scary. And at the end of the day, there’s always a place to buy wine in a box to chill you out. Always.
- Friends are going to make their own mistakes and do what they want. No amount of advice can change that. You can catch them when they fall, but if you’re perpetually propped up against them, you have to learn how to let go.
- If you don’t like someone, don’t hang out with them. Hell, if you really don’t like someone, you don’t even have to speak to them. Life is too short for stilted conversations with people you’ve fantasized about slapping.
- Even if you’re lost, a little blog that no one reads can be your solace. But do it for you, even if that means endless cat videos.
- You can’t take too many pictures of yourself. You just can’t.
- And finally, kicking ass in rock band is an invaluable skill.
I'm sure there's a ton more that I'll think of, but generally, that's it. What did you learn this year?

I have special friends.

This is my friend Caroline. She haz a box.