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.