Here we are in a new year! 2011, can you believe it? I remember New Years Eve 1999, the year 2000 just sounded so futuristic and strange, we thought we would never get use to it. Now it’s 2011, eleven years later and well, we’re use to it. 
This year, for me, has been one giant rollercoaster, but a good rollercoaster, (and that’s saying something since I don’t like rollercoasters. 
)
Recap:
I had the second sugary on my foot; I finished draft II of HEART OF HOPE; I got to go to Kansas and meet, in person, some amazing people; my little sister turned sixteen; my little brother turned thirteen; my niece celebrated her first birthday; I had some amazing times with close friends and family; I started writing CHOICES; I bought a car; my oldest brother asked his super awesome girlfriend to marry him (she said yes, ); and I turned twenty. Not to mention all the little things that happened in between. (Not to mention Doctor Who. 
)
As for the books I read and the movies I saw in theaters, (I’m adding movies this year.):
Movies:
- Extraordinary Measures (rating – **** Great story, ruined with language.)
- Robin Hood (rating – ** Interesting story, content, not so good.)
- Toy Story 3 (rating – ***** Great family movie.)
- Megamind (rating – **** Hilarious and very entertaining. I think I remember some rude comments, hence only four starts.)
- Tangled (rating – ********** Awesome! Perfect family movie! One of my favorites.)
- Voyage of the Dawn Treader (rating – ***** Fantastic! See it.)
- Tron (rating – **** Awesome action and adventure story set in a super cool digital world.)
Books: (!=good !!=great !!!=favorite/must read)
- The Candlestone – by Bryan Davis (!!!)
- The Circles of Seven – by Bryan Davis (!!!)
- Tears of a Dragon – by Bryan Davis (!!!)
- A Prisoner of Versaillies – by Golden Keyes Person(!)
- Swords – by Ben Boos (!!)
- Favorite Medieval Tales – by Mary Pope Osborne and Troy Howell(!)
- The First Four Years – by Laura Ingals Wilder (!)
- Just Friends: Guarding you heart for a wonderful someday – by Mike Ray and Cary Schmidt (!!!)
- I know why the angels Dance – by Bryan Davis (!!)
- By Darkness Hid – by Jill Williamson (!!!)
- Fable Weaver – by Carlie Gernhart (!!!)
- The Sword of Shannara – by Terry Brooks (!)
- The Hobbit – by J.R.R. Tolkien (!!!)
- Vienna Prelude – by Bodie and Brock Thoene (!!)
- The Eagle of the Ninth – by Rosemary Sutcliff (!!)
- Starlighter – by Bryan Davis (!!)
- Comma Sense — by Richard Lederer and John Shore (!!!)
- So Long Insecurity – by Beth Moore (!!!)
Unpublished Books: (All of which were awesome. )
- Night of Shadows — by Daniel Beals
- Becoming Human — by Jared Schmitz
- Messenger — by Sarah Ulrich
There were lots of good books this past year, and a few good movies too.
What’s up for this year? Tons!
I start college; my brother’s wedding; another Kansas trip; my other brother and his wife will welcome to the family another baby and much more!
I’m super excited about this year. God was so good and faithful through 2010, I can’t wait to see what He has in store for me in 2011. My hopes for this year is that I will get HEART OF HOPE to a point where I can send it to publishers, finished CHOICES and do the same and just keep writing and becoming the person God wants me to be.
May God bless you all in this new year!
-Laura
One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining foward what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3:13-14
