2010

Remember when 2010 seemed so far away? I still remember being so excited for 2000 because it was the year I would graduate high school and then start college in the fall. It was this infamous year where nothing was going to work (Y2K), and it was the start of a new millenium. Here we are though...2010. Wow.

I have had the wonderful opportunity to spend quality time with many people over this holiday break. I've also been lucky to have been off work since the 24th. I've done some traveling and spent time with friends. I have to say that I've had some great conversations and gotten on a variety of topics. I rang in the new year with some friends and have spent some time just relaxing and reflecting on the past year. Although I don't feel as though I "accomplished" many things over the last year, I do feel more at peace with many things around me. As I've reflected, I've realized that I have many reasons to be thankful. I have wonderful parents that only want me to be happy (whatever that may bring), friends who support me and allow me to be my silly, sarcastic self, I have a job (and that alone I am thankful for), I have a place to live, and I am overall pretty healthy.

Over the past year, I have made new friends and lost touch with others. It still amazes me how people are sometimes just brought into your life for short periods of time. Others you feel as though they are brought into your life at just the right time and give you exactly what you didn't know you needed. I am not a very religious person and honestly, I'm not really sure what I believe in, but I know that I believe in being a good person and for me, that's good enough. So to start out this year, I am thankful for what I have and for what I can continue to have in my life. I know that I'll continue to strive to do good in my life and to continue to help others in my job. I will continue to travel (already have a trip planned this month!) and continue to be open to finding someone to share all those things with.

What are you thankful for?

Another year...

Where did 2008 go? I feel like it was just 2008 and I was saying how fast a year had gone by. I feel that way again. Wow. 2009.

Well, here is my letter to 2009:

Dear 2009,

When 2008 came around, I had learned a lot in the previous year. Well, I can say the same for 2008. During 2007, I learned to live alone, and during 2008, I learned to take time to grieve for things that I had buried myself in work and school during 2007. The year 2008 came with a move to a new apartment and a new job. I made sure this year to take time to get to know myself better and I became more comfortable with who I am. I'm definitely not perfect, I have quirks, and bad habits, but I am me. I took the time to think about where life has brought me and all that I have to be thankful for. I also took the time to grieve and be sad about things that I thought would be different at this point in my life. I had hoped to be married and perhaps becoming a mom soon. Obviously those ideas took a very different turn, and although, now I am okay with this, this took time for me to be okay with. 2008 was a difficult birthday for me. I wanted nothing that had my age on it this year. I am now at peace with my age knowing that age is only a number and does not discriminate against what I can still achieve. 2008 brought some sadness in knowing that I had achieved many goals I had set for my life. 2009, you bring me hope that I can set new goals and work towards achieving those. I hope that 2009 brings more travels, more happiness, and more contentment. 2009 started with another move, but not another job. I'm content with where I am in my employment. I do have dreams for what I would ultimately want to do, but I have time. Although it's not a daily thing, I do feel as though I am making a difference with the children I am working with and that helps me know why I work so many hours and stress myself out.
So, 2009, I am ready for you. I am ready for the challenges you bring, the happiness you can provide, and the potential sadness that can occur. I become stronger every year and I no longer fear my birthdays, but realize that with the passing time, I am becoming more and more the person I am meant to become. So...let's go 2009. I'm ready for you!

Is this thing on?

Where have I been you ask? Well, between starting my new job, moving twice, and attempting (that is the key word!) to settle down in my apartment, I have been busy! I have still been trying to visit, but by the time I get home, I am exhausted! I still can't sleep in my bed since there is too much piled on it, but I do have a kitchen, living room, dining room and bathroom--so hey, I can't complain!

I love the new job. I just feel happier. My mood has changed so much just with the move and the new job. I feel like myself again.

It's been so darn cold around here lately. With windchills -20 to -40. I am just so happy my car has started every morning! We have also been getting a LOT of snow. Way more than I remember having last year. Last year it was fairly mild.

My new apartment is awesome. I have a washer/dryer now which is AWESOME. I don't think I could live without having one in my apartment at this point--not after being spoiled now.

Other than that, I'm good! I'm happy, healthy and ready to continue taking on 2008.

How is everyone else doing???

This is my year!

Hello 2008,

I have been waiting an entire year for you. Last year, when 2007 started, I swore that next year would be my year. Well, lo and behold, here you are. This is going to be my year. Although, I do have to pay my respect to 2007 because although it wasn't an easy year, I did accomplish quite a bit.

I lived by myself for the first time. Although that was not an easy feat, I actually enjoy it now and have a hard time staying at my parents' house for long periods (I'm used to having much more personal space!) I got my Master's degree. This was definitely not easy. I continued to work, go to school and attempt a personal life. I would say the personal life definitely suffered, but I accomplished my main goal of graduating.

I also made it through the day I was supposed to get married. I went to South Carolina and hid for 5 days, but I did it (without tears I might add!) I also moved. I now live back in my home town and just feel so much more at ease. I sleep better, and am all-around happier.

2008 is bringing a new apartment (on January 11th) and a new job (on January 3rd). This will be the first apartment I've gotten on my own and the new job is a new start. 2008 is the year that I've been waiting for. 2008 is the year of my new start, new outlook and new life. I will not forget what I've been through to get here, but I will make sure that this year goes better than last year!

So thank you 2008 for making it here just in time. I look forward to all of the things that are coming and for making this a wonderful year.