Why hello there, 2013. How lovely it is to meet you.

The first time I ever heard of the word Renaissance was in history class. It was the making of a new era; new ideals, new artists... an awakening of the world if you will. I thought that was so neat, and it made a lot more sense as to why my favorite antique store was named that. I didn't hear about the Renaissance again for a long time, until I was about 15 years old. I was reading a teen girl magazine right before the holidays, and it had this article about what type of girls guys wanted as a girlfriend.  There was a whole list, but the one that caught my eye was Renaissance girl. The girl that could throw a football and teach you about art, and take you out to awesome, obscure restaurants (think Rachel Leigh Cook in Shes All That, Julia Stiles in Down to You...any quirky girl meets studly guy movie situation really). That year, I made it a resolution to become that Renaissance girl. I abandoned it though, once it hit me again that real life high school is not movie high school, and that the guys all really went after the hot cheerleaders and that's about it.

I tucked the idea in my diary and never looked back, until 2011. I vowed to rap up 26 and go through 27 improving myself, making myself someone that everyone would want to get to know and hang out with. And I named my plan The Renaissance Project. This attempt came more from a lack of friends then a lack of boyfriend. I started it off pretty well, I met the goals I set for myself, felt a little more fulfilled. Then my grandma passed away on January 6th. It hit me like a ton of bricks. I tried to keep up, telling myself that I had to finish something in my life. But by March (our shared birthday month), I was just too depressed. I missed her like crazy, and I gave up. I felt disappointed in myself, angry at myself, sad at myself. But depression is an evil thing, and I didn't really know how to get past it.

This year I am once again starting The Renaissance Project. I found in 2012 that I accomplished more than I thought I could and it inspired me to try again at some of the things I truly want. So that's what this blog is for. To share my goals and keep track of my progress. I hope you'll stay along for the journey, I could sure use the company.

Here's to a bitchin' 2013,
Amanda