As I sit and reflect on another year past, it seems that this year has been quite extraordinary compared to the last few.
As many of my close friends know, my college years were quite hectic, absurd if you will. They were filled with a series of bad choices, heartache, disappointment, and of course a little bit of learning. However, when I sit and think about 2009 I really can say I closed out my time at Towson University with a bang, made some great friends, made some really touch choices, but all in all, had what I might consider one of the best years of my life so far.
Now I know that if you sit and try and think about negative things that have happened it is easy to be overwhelmed, but Matt has me trying this new tactic where I only focus on the positive things in my life… and so here is my recap of 2009 highlights: all the positive, amazing things that are happening in my life.
Decided to fly to LA to spend time with a guy (Matt) that I had only met a handful of times: turned out to be a wonderful life changing decision.
Went on a cruise with Matt and friends: What a fantastic vacation that turned out to be! Some fun in the sun during the cold winter months can really turn around those winter blues.
Graduated from Towson University: What a relief it was to finally be done with college! (Even tho I miss it sometimes now – who’da thunk!?)
Went on a phenomenal road trip with Christine and Monkey: Traveling in the USA wasn’t exactly my idea of a great Graduation Trip, however after spending time with Christine all over the south, I can’t think of any other way I would have rather done it. We saw so many different places, sat on the beach, did touristy activities, drank and partied in New Orleans… spent time with great friends, doesn’t get better then that!
Temped at the Baltimore American Diabetes Association: During my time at ADA Baltimore I was a temp for the Step Out Walk. I loved working with the non-profit organization and working with the Baltimore community to come together to try and stop diabetes.
Moved down to Federal Hill with Tasha, Christine Marks, and Laura: Now I know I don’t love living in the city, and it wasn’t my favorite thing… but I loved my roomies and I’m so glad I had the chance to spend time with them. I also learned that city living is not for me, and its out of my system – and now I know I want to be out in the country… lesson learned.
Said goodbye to my best friend: There is some quote from Sex and The City about how maybe it is your girlfriends who can be your soul mates… and in my case, Christine and I are most definitely destined to be best friends forever. As our 17th anniversary came and went this fall, I realized that no matter where she is, or how long we’re apart, it doesn’t matter. As soon as we are together again, its like no time has passed. This summer she made the choice to go to Denmark for graduate school and although I miss her, I’m so proud of her for being able to go so far away from her friends and family to pursue her dreams. Ps. Between the two of us, we know everything!
Took a terrible job at a mortgage company: The job was answering phones and cleaning out the fridge…oh and watering the plants. Again, lesson learned. I don’t ever want to be a secretary, and furthermore my telephone demeanor after 85 calls in 3 hours is just not good.
Got a job at the ADA home office: The job I took with American Diabetes Association is in the home office as part of the Sci-Med Professional Education Department. Now I know this isn’t what I went to school for, and wasn’t what I thought I would be doing… but turns out I really enjoy it and I’m finding that the more I learn about the different aspects of Non-Profit, the more I know this is where I want to continue my career.
Had to move…again: So taking the job in Alexandria, VA meant that I couldn’t really keep living in Balitmore City. So, my amazing boyfriend and his gracious family have allowed me to move in with them. It has been hard being away from my family and friends at home, but now I’m living with Matt and things are really starting to come together. Currently, Matt and I are looking for our own house to settle down in.
Adopted Ginger: Ginger came quite unexpectedly to Matt and me. We knew we wanted a dog once we moved… I’m not too keen on sleeping totally alone in a house… so we decided we would just ‘look’ at the Harford County Humane Society. Word to the Wise: don’t go there if you’re planning on getting a pup in the future, because odds are you will fall in love with one and that’s all she wrote. Ginger (Gingerbread at the time) practically chose us, and with a fated name like Ginger (Matt being a red head) how could we say no? So now Matt and I are the proud parents of a Blue Tick Coonhound. She is loving and sweet and howls like no other – she really makes us happy.
Spent the holiday with some great family and friends: Now anyone who has been at my house over the holidays the past few years knows that I haven’t always been the most cheerful, but this year I couldn’t have been happier. I spent Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family and Matt and even Christine made it home from across the pond. It really has been the season to be jolly…
So I guess that about wraps it up… there have been so many more amazing things going on and I’m sure I could go on forever, but 2009 is quickly coming to an end.. and I can’t wait to see all the great things that 2010 will have to offer!
Happy New Year!
