A Beginning

Whoever is reading this (and I really have no idea who will be, at this point--probably just Preston and my Mom--sweet!) might notice that although I created this blog in February 2007, this is, embarrassingly enough, my first post. Naturally, I'm beginning on a particularly chilly afternoon in February of 2008 when I have a million things to do and am trying (and succeeding!) to avoid them. This delayed first post is not atypical of me. I tend to get really excited about trying new things (e.g. knitting, marathon training, scrap-booking, making sushi from scratch), but then, when life takes over, or I feel like I can't do an absolutely perfect job, I abandon the plan. However, as a resolution for the New Year, I'm trying not to be so obsessed with perfection (although this will undoubtedly be a life long battle). SO here is my first imperfect post. Hurrah. Or, as Preston might say, Huzzah.

The idea of a blog appeals to me for several reasons. Firstly, as my network of family and friends expands (in number and distance), I think it's a fantastic way to keep in touch and give people a snapshot of our life here. Like facebook, kind of, but more personal/less stalker-friendly. Secondly, as I grow into myself, I think that forcing myself to write down my thoughts and feelings is a healthy way to deal with stress. I kept a journal pretty religiously through high school and my first semester of college, but then, after that month in Italy in June of 2004 (when my eating disorder got drastically worse), I stopped pretty abruptly, and have penned no more than 10 journal entries over the last 4 and a half years. And most of those were about food, weight, body image, or exercise. This thought makes me cringe, and I'm very tempted to delete it. Very tempted. The fact is, though, those four (almost five) years were part of my life, and as much as I want to erase them from my memory, I can't. They are part of me. They are part of my history. They help to explain who I was, who I am now, and who I will be. So perhaps this blog is an attempt to reconcile my past with my present.

I'm not entirely sure of the direction that this blog will take, but I'm curious to see where it will go. I feel good about the start, though. Even if it is a year late.