Saturday, December 31, 2005

2005 in a Wrap

2005 in a Wrap:

January: returned to college after having to drop out the semester earlier due to pancreatitis, got my first makeover even though I had lost over half my hair (it looked great!), struggled to function normally each day

February: interviewed and accepted a full time job with a very successful financial consulting firm, began to do house hunting

March: met Ron Jeremy (fabulously ugly porn king), made my very first bid on a house

April: began interning at the financial consulting firm and studying for the Series 7 stockbroker exam, lost a very close friend in death, won bid on house and signed final paperwork--house would be mine once I passed the Series 7, lost about 20 pounds due to extreme stress

May: graduated from college with a bachelor degree in finance, failed the Series 7 by 4 measly little questions, lost my job, lost the house financing, moved to a new crappy falling apart apartment

June: filed for bankruptcy, fell into a deep depression and self hatred, relapse of pancreatitis though I didn't realize it at the time, had job interview for a financial aid position at a state school that I totally bombed

July: job search was failing miserably, didn't have enough money for gas to drive to job interviews, went to Hiawatha Music Festival

August: finally landed a job with a temp agency in a new city, moved in with friends temporarily, wasn't making enough money to eat or make plans

September: moved into my very own apartment though I could barely afford it, realized that I could live on my own and didn't need anyone else, one year of sobriety

October: one year anniversary of life altering diagnosis and illness, began new job search, landed two interviews, got both job offers, accepted a position as a financial aid administrator at a large nation-wide private college

November: started the new job that drained the majority of my energy but also gave me my own office, didn't do much except eat and sleep

December: Dusty finally graduated from college and moved in with me, turned 24, began my "rebirth" process

That is the year of 2005 in a nutshell. It's been a long year full of ups and many downs. I can truly say that I never thought I would be where I am today. So many things changed in the past year and sometimes I feel like I can't find my footing in this whole process. At the same time, I'm finding myself, who I truly am, and who I will be.

I aspire to be "that" woman who makes it to the very top despite adveristy, challenges, and everyone around me telling me to slow down. I won't slow down. I will be successful, I will be director of financial aid within 5 years, I will get past the constraints of bankruptcy. I refuse to let my past drag me down any longer.

Though I haven't been updating as much, it is only due to my working long hours each week. Usually it's between 50 and 60 hours. I'm very busy and by time I get home I don't have the energy to do many things. We are very shorthanded at work, but there are three new people starting in the month of January that should help out the work load immensly.

My health has been quite good lately. A few occasional flare-ups, but for the most part I'm functioning like any other normal 24 year old woman would. I'm thrilled to pieces that Dusty is finally here with me. I have enough food in my fridge, enough money to pay all my bills, and a little extra to go out on the town once in awhile.

My 2006 resolutions:

1) Rekindle friendships that mean so much to me but have gradually fallen apart. Maybe it's me to blame, maybe it's them, but most likely it's both sides. It takes both sides to be true friends and I feel like I've lost the people that I care so much about. I don't like feeling alone and I miss having people to talk to. I feel bad for not being the best friend that I should be, but I had to fix myself before I could concentrate as much on everyone else. It was the most difficult year of my life and having to go through most of it alone was very hard.

2) Yeah, yeah, this one is cheesy, but I want some toned abs. I've lost the weight, now I want the tone and muscle. Time to get more serious about working out every day for an hour like my doctor says I should be. (doesn't running around the office count as exercise?!?!)

3) Finally get the kitten that I've been talking about getting for many months. Frisky needs company while I am gone and I just plain want a kitten.

4) Get over my bitterness completely. No more being jealous of everyone who can drink. For god's sake, no more going to the bar just because my friends want to. We can find better things to do. No more bitterness.

5) Find a hobby that I enjoy and take pride in. Playing guitar, joining an orchestra, learning to sew, reading more, skiing, SOMETHING to keep my occupied.

That's it. I've expended all my energy into this entry. Now it's time for breakfast. Everyone, have a wonderful New Year's Eve! Be careful, have fun, and I hope 2006 brings you everything you have ever dreamed of.

COMMENTS

Blogger Mr. Johnson said...

A hobby might be right up your alley Julie. Kayla does scrapbooking and does a very good job at it. If you have old pictures, you can do that. Trust me, memories look good but are even better when someone takes care of them. I do art in my spare time which isnt much. Youll be just fine. Have a great 2006!!!!!!!!

3:14 AM