Thanks, 2006

In t minus nine days I hit a milestone anniversary so with that in mind I decided to write a little about how this past year has changed my life in so many ways. Every year around this time, I like many, begin to feel nostalgic. I know I even did this last year around the same time when I listed both the good and bad things that 2005 taught me. Some of those lessons I kept with me long into 2006 and others were forgotten just as fast as the time it took me to post the entry on my blog.

My students are taking their final now so I am going to use this time to recap. I am not going to sugar coat it but instead can the metaphorical talk and discuss the facts that made 2006 one of the best years of my life.

Lost a grandfather in Oct. A man that I was never really close to as I got older but seeing him pass made me wish I would've made more of an attempt and maybe learned to let go of some of the ill feelings that prohibited me from really getting to know him as a person. Also made me realize that I am getting older and hit me with the reality that all the blood grandparents are now gone.

In Sept. I found out that I will be loosing my job at McDonald Investments. Those that know me know that I have bitched alot about work since switching departments. However, like I have said before, you would like to leave it instead of it leaving you. Going to miss most the people I work with alot. However, this gives me even more incentive to truly value the effort and necessity to keep in touch through whatever means possible.

I ran the Boston Marathon in April. My goal as an amateur runner became a reality in the day after Easter Sunday. Honestly, I never thought I would even qualify but thanks to Lynn pacing a heavier than average female distance runner I hit the qualifying standard in Columbus. Do to an injury it was a painful bitch but it showed me that mind over matter really does exist. It was everything I hoped it would be and more. I did it and I am so glad I sacrificed Easter with the family, money I did not have, and missing work during busy tax season to see every highlight of the greater Boston area on foot. I have never felt such a high in my life.

My friendships this year with my really close friends going into 2006 did one of two things. They either became extremely closer or took a nose dive into strained or non-existent. Most however, were not really affected because we tend to not be intensely close emotionally, which I learned, works best with some pairs of people. Those that I thought would never leave my side did and those that I thought would drop me so quick it would make my head spin stuck by my through my darkest and most honest hour.

I discovered that teaching is what I believe to be my calling at this point in my life. That may change in a few months or years but as for now I enjoy it and really get so much back from it. Looking forward to doing it full time in a few weeks.

New romantic relationships helped to solidify the person that I always knew I was. Tried to taking crushing, lusting and anger and confusion all in stride although at times it was a struggle. At the start of a new one now and so far smooth sailing. I learned from what did not work a few months ago. But with this one, everything seems alot easier and I realize now how important laughter and friendship are as a base for something more.

Come on 2007, bring it on. Looking forward to it with eyes wide open.