(x-posted to livejournal)

The title of this blog is a tribute to one of my favorite bands, (old) Nightwish, whose DVD performance of their last concert on the "Once" tour. It was also their last concert with former (and amazing) singer Tarja Turunen (who I loooovvve! ).

I'm sure a lot of people are going to be making blog posts and videos about the end of the decade, but I don't care! I want to do one of my own!

This year, and this decade, has been absolutely huge for me. In 2000, I was ten, and I turned eleven on the 24th of January. It looked like Y2K hadn't happened after all. I moved from my house that I had been living in for seven years into one that was in a new city, and I transferred to a new school for my 6th to 8th grade years. I didn't exactly have the best time, I had just come from a very bad situation in my previous grade school, and this one wasn't much better. Luckily, it was only 3 years, and I received the Michelangelo Award for Outstanding Achievement in Art. Yeah, it was just a grade school award, but it meant a lot to me.

I graduated from 8th grade and began attending high school, which was a big step for me, and I was nervous. I had a lot of good and a lot of bad experiences there. I met great friends, and good teachers, but before my senior year I decided that it was time to move on and go to a different school: a public school that many of my other friends attended. I had a good time there, and realized how different public and private school really were. At my private school, I knew almost everyone, or at least saw the same people everyday. There were about 200 people at that school, and all the teachers and staff knew everyone. However, at my public school, I would see different people everyday. At 2,000 people, it was hard not to treat everyone like a number, which they did. I did have good times at both schools, though, and I am glad I had that experience. I graduated in May of 2008.

After the summer, I wanted to take a year off, but my parents advised me against it, so I attended my first year of college. I had originally wanted to go to a 4 year college right off the bat, but after some consideration, I realized it would be cheaper and more practical (And just as good!) to attend community college, one that many people I knew had gone to. I was taking a lot of interesting classes, and I liked college a lot. Unfortunately, that fall I became very ill for two weeks, and was forced to drop my classes so I did not fail. Luckily, that spring I did not become seriously ill, and passed with flying colors, as I also did that summer and the following fall.

That brings us to this month. Today. December 31st, 2009. I cannot believe this year, and this decade is ending. On one hand, I am very sad. A lot has happened to me this year. I have overcome obstacles, met amazing people, and learned so much. But, on the other hand, I am able to move on with my life, and learn more, and do what I want with my life.

There have been many sad moments, and many happy moments, too many to mention them all, and too important to mention just one. I will say that I am incredibly happy at this point in my life.

I thank those of you who have been in my life, and have given me advice and support during my time here, and in real life!

See you next year!