2011 Year in Review

1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?

Moved far away from home for the first time in my life. Moving with my family when I was six doesn’t count.

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I don’t think I made any particular resolutions, though my general goal was to have a library job for the 2011-2012 school year. Though I didn’t get the job that I originally planned to have, I did get a job and am happy where I am.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My cousin’s wife had a baby, but we’re not particularly close – but that’s the only baby I can think of.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Thankfully, no.

5. What countries did you visit?

No countries again – but I have hope that I will some day.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

I think I would simply like to make more new friends here in San Antonio. I had several wonderful friends back home, but making new friends here has been somewhat of a challenge.

7. What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

I can’t remember the exact date – around the end of June when I was offered a librarian job in San Antonio.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Moving to San Antonio relatively unscathed and starting my career has a librarian.

9. What was your biggest failure?

I don’t know that anything was really a failure this year – but probably the fact that I gave up on the yearbook and had to have the new adviser finish it for me.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Nothing major – typical colds, allergies and such. Lots of bumps and bruises from moving and delivering textbooks.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

My new furniture for my house.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Josh still amazes me – he is doing so well in school and bravely venturing to Tasmania.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Nobody that I can think of – the sixth graders at the middle school have been trying though. They don’t seem capable of listening or following instructions and are obnoxious most of the time.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Paying for the move to San Antonio.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

My new job and going out on dates.

16. What song will always remind you of 2011?

“Changes” - seems this year was full of them!

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

happier or sadder? Much happier in my job, but a little sad missing some friends.
- richer or poorer? Mostly the same. I make more money now, but I have more expenses here so it comes out about the same.
- thinner or fatter? Slightly fatter – gained about 3-4 pounds that I need to lose!

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

Riding roller coasters and spending time with friends back in Canyon.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

As usual – worrying.

20. How did you spend the holidays?

New Years (2010) – with my friend Kirsten again. Valentine’s Day – alone. Easter – at Church with wonderful friends. 4^th of July – with friends. Thanksgiving – in Vegas with family. Christmas – here in SA without Josh for the first time, but with my new boyfriend, Matt, and his friends.

21. Did you fall in love in 2011?

No, but found a new boyfriend that I really like!

22. How many one-night stands?

None – but considered it with Marty at one point. Also had a single date with a guy from e-harmony that didn’t go anywhere.

23. What was your favorite TV program?

Probably re-runs of Monk and House Hunters.

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

Nope, I’m a lover, not a hater.

25. What was the best book you read?

Probably the Lee Child books.

26. What was your favorite film of this year?

The Help.

27. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?

I still don’t have fashion sense and probably never will. I still wear lots of purple and got new purple Sketchers.

28. Whom did you miss?

All my friends back in Canyon/Amarillo, my fellow speech teachers, and my family that I didn’t get to see much of.

29. Who was the best new person you met?

My boyfriend, Matt.

30. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.

Sometimes you have to take risks to get what you want in life. Change can be a good thing. It is important to have a career that you enjoy.

Reflection

Now that the year is coming to a close, I’ve been thinking about how much things in my life has changed. Sure – things always change for people throughout the year, but this year was full of much bigger changes for me. I went to the movies by myself tonight. As I was driving home I was thinking about the fact that I’m simply happy. Life is good. It’s not just because I have a boyfriend – that is certainly a plus, but I’m finally in a place where I’m happy about where I live, I enjoy my job, and have the freedom to pursue other interests.

I’ve been randomly reading some of my blog entries from earlier this year and the following I wrote in February:

“I’m feeling that itch of needing a change. Problem is that I don’t know specifically what kind change. I just need something different. A different job, a different house, a different city, a different hairstyle, I just don’t know what it is or even how to go about it. I’m sure the itch will go away, but right now I just feel very incomplete.”

It’s amazing how fortuitous that statement was. I hadn’t yet started applying for jobs though I did mention in a January blog that I was interested in a university job opening in San Antonio. I don’t think I applied for it though. I spent much of the first have of 2011 in frustration with my job and my relationship with Michael (aka Matthew as a pseudonym). I sent out numerous applications for library jobs and even though I second guessed my decision to even apply in San Antonio. Luckily I overcame it and everything worked out in the end. I think this is where I’m supposed to be at this time in my life. I wasn’t sure I could ever actually move away from the home I’ve know most of my life. I’ve fantasized about moving away but wasn’t sure if I truly had it in me. I guess I did.

I don’t know where things will go with Matt, but I’m happy to have met him as well. I enjoy spending time with him. I’m really going to try to not overanalyze our relationship (wish me luck on that) and just take things as they come. The fact that we’re not moving very fast is probably a good thing.

I will post the traditional year in review in another day or two, but I wanted to comment in general about the current state of things. I do hope, however, that this isn’t one of those situations where someone finally says “I’m happy” and something in their world comes crashing down. Let’s hope that things continue to be positive here in San Antonio.