When I am with my boyfriend. He is my best friend and my partner. No matter where I am, as long as I am with him, I am home. He reminds me of how I want to treat and be treated by others.

Alisha Rose

1) What new experience(s) did you have in 2008?
I graduated from high school and became an official intructor for my Martial Arts School. I was able to vote for president. My first love and I went our separate ways and believe me, it was pain like no other, but I have learned so much since then. And I got a very large book of poems out of it all that i hope to publish. So anyone with suggestions on what publishing company to try would be greatly appreciated. :)

And it also paved the way for a new person in my life. :) (see question 4)
    
2) What inspired you in 2008?
My mother, she has been my utmost support in this difficult time. She has encouraged me and reminded me that I can accomplish anything that I set my mind to. Even though we argue occasionally, she is my mom, and I love her. 

    
3) What challenged you this year? 
Everything! This is my crossroads. The beginning of the journey from childhood into adulthood. And I'm scared to death, lol. The stress has been phenominal, but I'm learning to manage. After all, "why do we fall?" So we can learn to pick ourselves up again. :)

    
4) What new person or people entered your life?
That would be my boyfriend. When I met him I realized that it wasn't normal for your partner to talk to you like you were an idiot. I learned what real love was. How if you really, truly love someone, you should love ALL of them, quirks, faults and all.
He has helped me start loving myself again. It has been almost a year- my longest relationship so far- and my only wish is that it will never end. I am not perfect, he is not perfect either. But he is defenitely perfect for me. :)


    
5) Which global event(s) had a strong impact on you?
The war has had a big impact on me. I also thought  alot about the presidential elections as they drew nearer.

To me, winter means being very cold, and having to use the restroom alot (because of the cold), hee hee, but it also means having more of an opportunity to relax.

My first love had dumped me after 8 months on the week of valentine's day. I was in high school at the time, and I decided to go to the snowcoming dance that weekend with one of my girlfriends. My ex showed up and was being rude to me, and it made me upset. James was friends with my ex and saw how he treated me. I was crying and he came over and talked to me for the rest of the night, while my ex danced with other girls right in front of me.

After that, we started talking on the phone and in a few months we decided to date. I am graduated now, and he remains my eternal love. He treats me like a goddess and loves me like a piece of his soul.

Every day, I thank God for my first love. Without whom I would not have learned what I truly deserved, and without the heartbreak he caused I would never have found James. :)

Most of the time, spending time alone seems to lift my spirits. Just sitting down and reading a book or painting really calms me down. Talking to friends and family also makes me happy when I am down.

I think that it is different for everyone. But for me, it is learning to love myself just as much as my partner loves me. For how can one truly love and honor another if one has not yet learned to love and honor oneself?

I smiled this morning when my doggies met me at my bedroom door. I love the unconditional love of animals. It always lifts my spirits. :)