I am...

...a daughter
...a sister
...a friend
...a writer
...a poet
...an avid reader
...a graduate student
...a hopeless romantic
...a believer in fate
...an animal lover
...a tattoo enthusiast
...a Christian, though I am starting to see myself as more spiritual than religious
...quickly approaching 30 and growing increasingly terrified that I'll never get married, but I refuse to let a guy or a relationship define me
...an extrovert, though I also believe solitude is an essential part of life
...torn deciding whether tiramisu, key lime pie, or pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting is my favorite dessert (three-way tie?)
...just as happy at the beach or in the mountains. Both are equally comforting to me.
...flexible and able to go with the flow - sometimes plans change, and that's where the beauty of spontaneity comes in
...unable to feel dressed up unless I'm wearing heels.
...horrible with make-up. Eyeliner and mascara are really my only everyday essentials.
...convinced that a glass of Malbec a day will help me live longer
...obsessed with JMU and Steelers football
...a firm believer that music speaks to your soul
...sometimes a little too impulsive
...chronically late, but trying to be better about that
...too concerned with what other people think of me
...afraid to be assertive and say how I feel
...a people-pleaser
...going to start focusing on my self and what makes me happy
...tired of apologizing for who I am

2012 has been a tough year for me. I've made a lot of mistakes (some might say the biggest of my life), gone through some major transitions, and grown a lot as a person. The hardest part of this journey has been realizing who my true friends are...who to distance myself from and who to draw closer towards. But if people can't accept me for who I am, flaws and all, then I don't need them in my life.