The Year In...

I've decided to give up apologizing, making excuses, promising new posts or more regular updates, and/or generally fussing about my blog (well, at least here on the blog itself - I'm sure I'll keep fussing in my head thinking about how I should really be updating more). I'm currently at a point where posting any more often than I have been is just not feasible for me, and I need to be okay with that. I hope you all are too. As I told someone recently, I hope that you'll all stick around through the ups and downs of my posting, and if you decide not to, well, then I wish you all the best wherever you go. But I'm done starting posts with "I'm sorry it's been so long," "I'm a terrible blogger," or, "I'll update more soon."

Okay, moving on.

I love New Year's for the opportunity to reflect on the year that was. Sometimes, the reflections are tough and they only come with tears; other times, the reflections bring smiles and laughter. But no matter what, I think it's important to think about where I've been, so that I can better prepare for where I'm going. That's how life goes, right? Or maybe that's just how I think life should go.

So here we go...

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The Year In Shoes:

If shoes bore you (I'm looking at you, my three male readers), feel free to skip on to the next section. For the rest of you, here are the shoes I've purchased in 2008:



Aren't they awesome? Gosh, I love shoes so much. They just... make me happy.

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The Year In Work:

I started the year with a brand new nanny job that I am not allowed to talk about. What I will say (and I think I'm allowed to say) is that I loved the job, and I truly felt that - at the time - it was exactly where I needed to be.

In June, my time in that job ended and I turned to my dear friend Tpiglette for comfort and advice. She suggested (very excitedly) that I apply for a job at Christian School, where she teaches math. Some of you might remember reading along with my first year of blogging (actually, probably very few of you were around for that first year) when I was in graduate school getting my education degree and teaching credential. To be frank, it sucked. Not all of it, but a lot of it. So at the end of that year, the thought of full time teaching was much too daunting.

But when Tpiglette brought it up, I thought maybe it was time to go back to teaching. So I filled out an application and sent it in. From what I hear, my application really impressed them, and they were eager to meet with me. We (the principal, vice-principals, English department lead, etc. and me) met on Monday, on Tuesday they offered me a job, and Thursday we signed a contract. And I feel so blessed to be at Christian School. I won't say it's easy, but it's SO worth it. My kids are amazing, my colleagues are supportive, and next year I get to teach ballroom dance. It couldn't get much better than this. (Except for a raise. That would be nice.)

Plus, I get to wear cute clothes:

My last-day-before-Xmas-break outfit. Yes, I'm a dork.

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The Year In Romance:

Maybe it would be more appropriate to say "The Year In Lack-of-Romance." There was Batman, of course, but that ended unpleasantly. Well, it ended as well as it could have given that I was crazy about him and he just didn't feel that way about me. He was nice about it, but I was flat-out heartbroken.

Other than Batman - and that was really only a few months in the middle of the year - there was pretty much no one.... until Hot Teacher Guy. Once HTG entered my life - my mind, my heart, my dreams - I was shot for others. Sad, but true. Fortunately, it's easy enough to fantasize about our future together while working, which is important since I work ALL THE TIME. Any other man who wanted to enter my life would have to compete with my lesson planning and grading, so I just stare longingly at HTG as he walks past my classroom and then turn back to my essays.

I gotta say, I'd like to see 2009 have a little more happiness in the heart department. But I'm doing my best not to stress about it.

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The Year In Family:

My family rocks. They rocked in 2007 and they continued to rock in 2008 and they will likely continue to rock in 2009. Mom came to visit me in March and we had a grand weekend hanging out and attending one of my dear friends' weddings:

That's my college boyfriend. He's awesome, "Ex-" or not.

Then in May, Mom, Seeser, and I all met up in SoCal for my father's gym dedication, including visiting with my grandparents:



In July, I went to Vegas and took some "Coming Out" photos of my sister and Stoops, as well as some pics of me and my mother:



Seeser and Stoops came to visit me during Labor Day weekend and we had a great weekend sightseeing and having general hilarity:



For Thanksgiving this year we went to SoCal again and celebrated with my grandparents again, having a "big" Turkey Day for the first time in years (I put "big" in quotes because it was big in comparison to our normal holidays, but probably not at all big to those of you used to legitimately large holiday gatherings):


And then it was time for Christmas!


Gosh, I love my family. I feel like I got to see them more this year than I have for a few past years, and I hope that can continue in 2009.

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The Year In Depression:

Fortunately, there isn't much to reflect on in this area. While I obviously had some down moments during the year, I wouldn't say they were depression-related. Everyone goes through tough times, and some days you feel sadder than others. But for the most part, I think I handled the rough patches well and didn't let myself get mired down in the fog. I've been keeping up with my meds regularly and that's helped me keep my wits about me big time. Plus, as always, I've had supportive friends and family around.

I feel truly blessed to be doing as well as I am in my mental health, and I hope that anyone reading who is struggling with depression knows that happiness and good health really is possible. I hope it happens for you in 2009.

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Overall, I'd say it's been a good year. Not perfect, but what ever is? I'm happy with where my life is at, though also looking forward to changes. Someday I'd like love, marriage, children, etc., but for now, I'm very blessed and happy with life. I hope you'll all stick around - lurking or not - for my adventures in 2009 (you know, when I actually post about them).

Happy New Year, everyone!