A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Hello, my dear friends! :D

Just a few more hours of 2012 left.  It has been a wonderful month, and a wonderful year!  :D In December alone, so many family and friends came to visit, I celebrated my 28th birthday, met Jodi Benson, bought a new (to me) car, worked 72 hours in one week (Christmas week), was filmed on national television, and celebrated Christmas and New Years with my Christmas Parade cast and roommates. :D 

Expounding a bit, my friends from Japan, Eri and Natsumi, came to visit, and I haven't seen them in about three years, so it was a real treat to see them. :)  Plus, my other friends Hiroshi and Chise are here now until the start of next year, and they remain some of the sweetest, most generous people I know. :)  My mom also came with her friend Claudia (and my former sixth grade teacher), and it was amazing to spend time with them, as always. :D

I celebrated my birthday a day early by going for some ice cream at Ghirardhelli's and then watching The Hobbit with friends.  I LOVED it!! I can't wait for the next two movies to come out. :P  On my actual birthday, I worked 14 hours, first at Dream Along, and then at Christmas Parade.  My friend announced to everyone at Parade that it was my birthday, and I feel like all 180 performers came up to me at some point in the night and wished me a happy birthday. :D  So special!

One huge highlight was being able to watch Jodi Benson perform Candlelight Processional and then later getting the chance to meet her in person. :)  Hearing her tell the story of Jesus' birth was like listening to Ariel tell it, only a more mature Ariel. :P  Also, Jodi is a huge believer, and it showed through her voice and mannerisms.  I'd seen her years ago when I was six, with my mom, so it was cool to see her again, 21 years later, with my mom. :D  Back then, I got her autograph.  Now I have my picture with her too.  Awesome! :D

If any of you watched the Christmas Parade filming on ABC on Christmas Day, Mickey told me to tell you that he was waving right to you! :D  The Christmas Parade season ended today, and it's bittersweet.  I'll miss my friends that I got to see every day, but it will be nice to get a  day off. :)

For those of you into cars, I have a white '97 Chevy Malibu right now, and she was my first car I ever owned, which I bought five years ago when I went full-time with Disney.  Now Patty, Joe's sister, needs a car, so I was able to sell her my car so she can commute to college, and I bought a red '83 Mercedes 300D. :D  It definitely will keep Joe busy, but he loves working on it, and I've fallen in love with the Mercedes myself. :)  Who knew that I would ever own a red Mercedes?  :D

2012 was full of such amazing memories.  Off the top of my head, the Israel trip stands out, followed by getting LASIK, getting Lily, being cast in Star Wars Weekends again, the Halloween Parade, Christmas Parade, getting Sundays off again, an amazing casting at Dream Along with Mickey and Move It Shake It Celebrate It Street Party, meeting Jodi, getting a new car... Praise God for a great year! :D

2013 is full of promise as well.  One of my best friends is having her second daughter, born sometime in March, Joe and I will celebrate two years of being together, Joe is going to graduate college in May, I get to visit home in July, and before you know it, the holidays will be upon us once again. :)

I pray that this blog finds you counting your blessings over the past year and expecting God to do great things in the new year!  You all are such blessings to me, and I love you all with my life.  God bless! :D