I must say that breaks are about the most beautiful creations ever.

In my daily obsession with retreating from the status quo, I have always (and forever) hated two things: giving up things for lent and new years' resolutions. I hated the former because it's become this trite observation that everyone does just because (just like three year olds, this reason does not suffice in my book).

I am stubborn and hate to follow the crowd. (Alas why I did not drink until 21. Not because of religious reasons, quite frankly, was it that I did not indulge in such behavior. Rather, I was stubborn and hated to do what everybody else does. I told myself at 14 I was not going to drink until 21 because that's the law and because God would be mad (that's a whole over blog, let's look to 2008 for). This stubbornness as a woman is ironic when we consider the female obsession with doing everything like the rest of we women: marriage, clothing, body image, etc. We are obsessed with not being unique, and yet mysteriously being our own person. The individual must always triumph over the collective we.)

I hated new years resolutions because, well, as stubborn as I am (meaning I would probably succeed at anything I was determined to win), n, again I hate to follow the crowd. (Hurray for trendsetters, pacesetters, and all around brats... my children undoubtedly will be annoying brats).

So as this break from Fuller has progressed, the long anticipated self-reflection of 2007 (and beyond) has commenced. I think I like more and more certain parts of me and who I am becoming. But I am realizing how jaded and crass I am since moving to LA. Has the smog gotten me? The dreaded doldrums of seminary? Or is it that yet again that the stubbornness of Libby has attached itself in a not-so-logical location.

While there will be no outset New Years resolutions for this lady in 2008, I do hope to figure out a way to evaluate more consistently, love myself better, lose some stress, and experience a bit more joy in the day to day.

Thanks break, you've been a blast.