December 9 Challenge. Something that really made you grow this year. That made you go to your edge and then some. What made it the best challenge of the year for you?

This is a tough one.  2009 has been a pretty calm year for me.  My second year out of college, I enjoyed stability, lack of homework, weekends off and a regular income.  I have certainly enjoyed it been living it up taken it easy.

So, although I think it’s pretty safe to say that the biggest challenges still lie ahead of me, the challenge has been taking the leap to really be here, in this space, putting myself out there.  I bought my URL yesterday, which signifies my commitment to this blog.  I’M.  REALLY.  DOING.  THIS.  (I’d be stupid not to cause that would be about $130 down the drain …)  In the last nine months, I’ve managed to make some pretty incredible connections.  It almost scares me to think how I will be catapulted into a world of awesome connections when I really focus in on what I’m doing here and lead by example.

I’m no entrepreneur and I’m not going anywhere.  But here in little Reno, NV … man, I’m going places.  I’m doing something different (for me, anyways).  Can’t wait to see where it takes me.

What’s this about?

Check Gwen Bell here.

December 8 Moment of peace. An hour or a day or a week of solitude. What was the quality of your breath? The state of your mind? How did you get there?

Wow.  I wasn’t going to answer this one because of what I imagine is much of the reasoning behind Gwen Bell’s post on this same topic.

I don’t find my chi, or vow to unplug or practice yoga, so nothing immediately stood out to me.  But wow, the sense of peace that came over me when I read that post.  Unmatched.  Peace, for me, is in realizing that everything is as it should be, chaos and all.

On that same note, I just purchased my URL (or as Brad would have it, my “Earl”) for the thing that is to become my blog.  Call it peace or call it pee-in-my-freaking-pants-excited … it’s a GOOD FEELING.

What’s this about?

Check Gwen Bell here.

December 7 Blog find of the year. That gem of a blog you can’t believe you didn’t know about until this year.

Where do I even begin?  Because I just started blogging in April of this year, basically every blog in my reader is a new find as of 2009.

But I know that’s sort of cheating.  So I’m attempting to narrow it down to only two:

Web sites & strategy for rockstars & gonnabes, authored by Sarah J. Bray.  I’m not a designer. In any sense of the word. But that’s the amazing part of Sarah’s blog.  What she writes can be translated to any and all facets of the industry in which I work (and many others, I am sure, but let’s face it–I’m 24 and I only care about what affects me right now, right?).  She’s an inspired and inspiring businesswoman.  And although I don’t have any grand plans of becoming an entrepreneur, the way she does and talks about her business really resonates me.

The second blog I can’t believe I’ve been living without would have to be that of Doniree.  It’s hard to put into words why, but I just freaking love that girl. I first found her when she wrote this post about the cocktail question, and I feel like I’ve been in a perpetual state of introspection ever since.

The last blog find of the year (I know, I said I’d narrow it down to only two, but it’s just TOO DAMN HARD) is Life Without Pants.  It is so inspiring to read Matt’s adventures in community-building.  As of this year, I am someone who is devoted my community.  I want to be a part of it, to connect with people and make it better.  Matt offers so much to me in this way.

It’s really quite incredible to have been touched by these three people I have never even met.  And it just shows me the power of what we’re doing here.  As twenty somethings, as individuals, as bloggers and as people who want to change the world.  You guys … just … THANK YOU!

Other blogs that have touched me this year:

• Rise of the Innerpreneur
• lizfranco.com
• Bike Carson
• OMG, give me MORE, please!

What’s this about?

Check Gwen Bell here.

2009 has definitely been a year of growth for me.  But it was growth without movement, if that makes any sense.  If not, too bad.  You’ll just have to wait until 2010 and the launch of my blog makeover to learn more about me there (muah-ha-ha).

Thanks to Gwen Bell and her Best of 2009, like 500 bloggers have been chronicling their last 11 months with 31 prompts, to be answered daily, or whatever.  I chose or whatever (what can I say? I’m a rule breaker–HAH), so I’m going to catch up on a few that I wanted to write on here:

December 1 Trip. What was your best trip in 2009?

That one’s easy.  My dad took all of us kids on a cruise to the Caribbean.  Lazy days, beaches, kayaking (for the first time) in Aruba and, above all, quality family time.  That last one is the thing we don’t get often, with my sister and I up here in Reno.  It was awesome and unforgettable.  Oh and did I mention my dad also took Brad?  I know right.  Proof that he’s already a member of my family (whether he likes it or not).

December 4 Book. What book – fiction or non – touched you? Where were you when you read it? Have you bought and given away multiple copies?

For me, this year, it a tie between A Little Princess and The Secret Garden.  I loved the movies as a kid and read both books this year.  I have never before been able to jump right back into my childhood like those books were able to take me.  The innocence in those books is comforting and missing from our world.

December 6 Workshop or conference. Was there a conference or workshop you attended that was especially beneficial? Where was it? What did you learn?

Well, the conference I attended in September was not only the only conference I attended this year, it was the only conference I have ever attended.  That said, it was incredible.  It was the American Advertising Federation’s Western Regional Conference.  The workshops themselves were nothing far above average (hey, if I’m being honest), but the inspiration I got there was just unmatched.  If you ever hear me speak passionately about the work I do through Ad2 Reno, this conference is why.  It was a breath of fresh air.  A reminder of why I do what I do for a living and of why Ad2 exists.