Strength is up to you.

This past year has been eye opening for me. I have always been one to push the bill a little farther than most would but this year i think I have pushed as far as I will go. Moving to Japan has been a wonderful experience and I wouldn't change it for the world. I have grown from this experience and I have found the people that matter in my life and the ones that don't.

But more than anything, I have seen what I am capable of. It is easy for me to get lost in the day to day routine of being a functioning real person with a real person job (or as close as I can get out here). I have seen my dedication go past my expectations, I have seen my passion shine through when I expected it to falter. I don't give up and I work HARD. I am proud of myself for that.

I have found so many parts of myself in this past year. I have tried myself and pushed myself. I have grown and I have withered. I am a different person then the person I was a year ago and most of me is okay with that.

I still have plenty of changes to make and ways to become even better, but I am glad to see the changes I have made and to know I am stronger than I knew was even possible.

My next mission is to bring me back some me time, I have lost so much of it lately. I need some Ashley time away from the Facebook, the funny pictures and silly face, away from the people that matter and those that really don't. I need some time to sit back, relax and reflect on life.