after a brief hiatus which consisted of a whirlwind trip home to the "big city" (otherwise known as long isle) the prodigal daughter returns to her new home, texas town of nacogdoches (affectionately known otherwise as the hub of small town america)laden with christmas gifts, cold fingers, and a new acceptence for the fact that no matter where she goes or who she is with, life goes on with or without her. though this thought once plagued her with feelings of helplessness and impending mortality, she now finds comfort in its soothing abyss.

she also returns laden with resolutions for a new year. these include the following:
1. to run in the clipper classic this july, which is an annual 5k race on long island.
2. to mediate every morning for 15 to 20 minutes.
3. to save at least $100 a month.
4. to deepen her study and practice of buddhism.
5. to be better at keeping in touch with both old friends and new ones.
6. to create and stick to a writing practice.

so far, she thinks, 2005 has been a very good year, and she has every intention of keeping it that way.