A year ago I was miserable at work and looking forward to going back to school and pursuing a nutrition certificate. I was desperate to find something to hang on to; something that meant I would one day have a job that I loved, that meant something. About two weeks into school I realized that I wouldn't be able to do it. Immediately I was drowning in reading and work with a teacher that was incredibly uncommunicative and unhelpful. I love school. I love being in a classroom. I love learning. I think that there are certain subjects that I would be able to learn through an online course and as it turned out, Kinesiology was not one of them. I have never been good at saying "no". I am notorious for taking on too much, and for being too proud to bow out when I'm under water. For the first time in my life I saw my limits and I accepted them. I'm incredibly proud of this. I think that this was my turning point. The next one came in July.
In July I was invited to a work conference in Chicago. It was my first time visiting the Windy City and I had the privilege of playing tourist with a close friend that happens to moonlight as my coworker. I was there for 2 and a half days and it took much less than that for me to fall completely in love. Hard and fast, head over heals, complete and irrevocable. It was as though something awoke inside of me that I was completely unaware of up until that point. Suddenly I was filled with life, confidence, and a pride that fueled me. I was filled with a love for my job, a love for those I work with, and most importantly: a love for myself. I'm not sure exactly what it was about the experience or if it really was anything in particular. All I really know is that I am forever changed and forever grateful.
Work has it's struggles and its triumphs. Sometimes both numerous times a day. I won't and can't speak too much about work but I will say this much: I love and hate my job. I am in a constant state of exhaustion and stress but I am also slightly obsessed. I love the challenge. I am pushed to my limits almost every day and sometimes I absolutely rely on my people to carry me and sustain me. At this point I can't see myself leaving, and I think that is saying something.
In August I became a total badass with the help of some incredible friends and of course my husband.
September brought our first wedding anniversary. I'm not sure what I did to deserve such a wonderful husband but I'm trying my best to deserve him.
In November my little brother got married in one of the most beautiful weddings that has ever happened.
Christmas was spent at Disneyland with the inlaws. It was my first Disney Christmas and we spent way too much money BUT I finally got my married Mickey Ears so all in all it was a total success.
We started our New Year off with a gorgeous hike as a commitment that we were going to start taking better care of ourselves.
March kicked off the home buying process for us. We didn't really know what to expect but all of the sudden we were looking at places and putting in offers and HOLY CRAP all of the sudden we had keys to our very own "first home". We managed to score an adorable little town house in my hometown. It needs a little TLC but we have absolutely loved moving in and getting settled. It's perfect for us and we can't wait to see how we grow in this new place.
The weekend that we were scheduled to move into our new house I was rear ended at the airport and my adorable teeny tiny car was totaled. I had it for 8 years and it was a perfect first car. Between moving and having to deal with insurance and buying a new car and work nonsense I was definitely getting my butt kicked. Sometimes being an adult sucks. I do love my new car though. I feel like a grown up when I drive it. My old car didn't even have automatic locks or windows so basically anything would have been an upgrade.
Well that was the cliff notes version of the past year. I think that it's been the best year yet but even still the best is yet to come.
I make no promises about whether or not I will continue to write or what I will be doing on here. All I can say is that I'm loving life right now.
