The End of Year 30

Reflecting back on my 30th year, I see many things: challenges, change, sadness, heartache, the end of friendships, happiness, wisdom..., and I am sure the list could go on and on. However, I will refrain from calling it 'a bad year' or 'a year of transition' (as many people have said to me). It has been a year of excitement and needed changes. Granted, there have been many changes over the year, I could say that about a lot of years in my life. My life is full changes, and I find it is really about how I decide to look at each situation and eventually summarize the events in my life that make it so. And like most everything in my life, I like to view my circumstances as positively as I can. That's just they way I am.

The beginning of my 30th year brought closure to a large chapter in my life. I said goodbye to a dear friend, who I loved for many, many years. It can be hard to say goodbye, I know in my heart it is the best for me. This period in my life has provided me with an opportunity to really grow and learn as an individual, and I've found that I am stronger because of it. Although it may have needed to end sooner than it did, I believe that everything happens for a reason and I know it ended exactly when it was suppose to.

Although I have spent the last year mostly away from family and friends, I have never been more dedicated in my life to invest time with those who are important to me and ensure that I am nurturing those relationships. I spent a large part of the year getting to know some of my friends on a more personal basis - taking the time to learn more about them. My friends have always been important to me, but when I look back a lot of my so called 'friendships' have been because we regularly ran into each other at parties or gaming events. Little did I realize that I really knew nothing about some of my friends, ones that I actually considered myself close to.

In getting to know one of my friends, I have found an amazing individual. He is thoughtful, caring, compassionate, patient and so much more. He truly brings out the best in me...someone who had been lost for sometime. I have found my soulmate in Mr. J; I love him deeply more than I could have ever imagined.

As my 30th year began to draw to a close, I began to feel a lot of stress and anxiety regarding my career. The exciting new job I had been offered last ear was turning into the 'Worst Job of my Life.' There was a lot of soul searching and job searching, trying to get a handle on my situation, and it wasn't improving. Finally, a break! With a great job opportunity just around the corner and a much needed holiday, I was back on my feet feeling as confident as ever regarding my career. The year has ended off with a bang, as I start my new job just days before my 31st birthday.

It has been an wonderful, exciting year navigating a new job (two, I guess), a new city, single life, and a new relationship.

I look forward to my 31st year, as I am sure it will bring forth many challenges, as usual.

First Creation of 2008

A gift from my sweetie - a 3D puzzle of Camelot.

It didn't take long after returning home from the holidays before I started separating and organizing the pieces. After 3 long sittings working on it, it is complete. I should really get at assembling all my other puzzles. They are sitting in pieces in their boxes.




In other news, I've got a busy, busy week. I start my new job tomorrow, I start my new class on Tuesday night, I start the new season of Volleyball on Wednesday, I am off for a birthday supper at my friends on Thursday, and finally, bowling on Friday.

I am already looking forward to the weekend and the week hasn't even started yet.

First Challenge of 2008

I did say in my last post that I had no specific resolutions, but that I would continue with my standard MO. So in keeping with my MO of 'challenging myself, I am going to try to be more poetic in 2008.

My sweet Mr. J gave me the Magnetic Poetry Haiku Kit as one of my gifts this Christmas season. As well as a book of poems by e.e. cummings.

I just finished assembling the magnetics on my fridge and completed my first haiku poem (ever) of 2008.

a flower petal
blossoming for a childs smile
will fall with a tear

Time for Something Different

As many of you already know, I have been quite disgruntled about my work for the past number of months. There have been little things (perhaps, medium) that have come up over the course of the year that have been bothersome, as I feel there are some bad business practices occurring and definitely poor management.

I consider myself a fairly knowledgeable individual, especially when it comes to business. I am also a fairly strong individual who likes to work in an environment that is open (for the most part), honest, trusting, and values the contributions of their employees. It was becoming apparent at work, that this was not the case. It has caused me a lot of grief, stress and anxiety. More than I actually realized. I guess stress does that to you sometimes. But, I digress more than I would have liked.

So, I have been job hunting for the past few months. It must have been good timing, as when I starting looking there were lots of jobs in 'Learning & Development' advertised.

I have since had a number of interviews, all very promising and strong. However, due to the holiday season there have been delays that could not be prevented. I still think 'they' were quick considering.

I start my new job on January 14th with the Government of Alberta. I am elated, excited, thrilled, ecstatic....etc. It is a job in my field, with an organization that can provide endless opportunities for advancement, and something that will help create some stability in my life/career.

So far, the New Year has been very, very good to me. I have no specific resolutions this year. I will continue with my standard MO - take care of myself, eat well, exercise, always challenge myself, give/help to others, and spend time with family and friends.