i temporarily blocked access to this blog because i thought it was pretty dumb. lol. i realized that because i journal so much, often times when i would sit down to blog i would be at a loss about what to share. i wouldn't really feel like going back over what i had already processed in my journal, so i never blogged in depth about what was most present in my heart and mind. but i was reminded recently of the value of blogging as a means to stay in touch with friends, and so, i will press on!
nothing to say...
sigh. lol.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Sunday, January 1, 2012
year of the RABBIT
2011 was the year of the rabbit (1987), and i gotta admit that as i embarked on MY year a part of me really did have some high expectations :) now i realize much of how the year unfolded can be attributed to life season and all of that, but still...must give some props to the lucky rabbit.
• survived snowmageddon, and then the heat wave. oh chicago...
• had a wonderful 24th birthday celebration eating + dancing with 8 beautiful california girls :)
• graduated with my masters in social work from the university of chicago. two years flew by in a blur of personal and professional challenges, exploration, and growth.
• began my first real grown up job and then- another. oy. five months of working 1.5 jobs that taught me a lot about my limitations but also the FUN of being a "post-graduate young professional." it is indeed a very fun, exhausting time...
• had a really fabulous summer (my first in the states in two years!), despite everyone's crazy schedules. lots of potlucks, sleepovers due to the heat wave, picnics, random events in the park, exploring new neighborhoods, and good, solid conversations with friends. i love how chicago comes alive in the summer.
• bid farewell to some of those amazing friends and embarked on that transitional season of the "post-graduate young professional."
• swam in lake michigan for the first time
• went to my first cubs game
• fell head over heels in love with a close friend, and invested myself in what i would describe as my first committed relationship. experienced both the tangible joy and deep hurt that comes with allowing yourself to be absolutely and completely vulnerable with another human being. many hard lessons learned and much insight gained into myself and the lifetime partner i am praying for. a sad parting but with no regrets.
• dated some really great guys. learned that i'm not very good at dating, and that i don't particularly enjoy it. sigh.
• moved into a wonderful new neighborhood and home in andersonville/edgewater with a dear friend. realized that i'm staying in chicago. boy am i completely infatuated with this city. slowly beginning the task of investing in community, now that i know this might not just be a transitional thang.
• traveled for a life-affirming month throughout vietnam, china, and korea. lost myself in the mountains, waters, skies of asia; marveled at man-made wonders; was enveloped by the love of family; experienced old friendships in new surroundings; and reflected a lot on me. an incredible journey.
• bought a big ole 8 ft christmas tree, my first since i was maybe 4 or 5. i love frank.
• had pets for the first time since i was maybe 5 or 6. i love fish.
• visited wisconsin for the first time with the girls.
• visited my best friend in DC, our first visit in nearly 1.5 years. good to know that some things never change :)
• visited home twice, and wished i had deeper roots in baltimore- but i don't, and don't expect that i ever will. it's sad to think that from this point on i'll only be seeing my family a few times a year (which is actually how it's been for about six years now), but i am thankful for how close i have become to my parents despite (because of?) the distance.
• got a REAL haircut for the first time in many years and donated for the first time to locks of love.
• church hopped. praying.
• watched a lot of korean television. hahaha.
• made a lot of new friends, and grew closer to old ones.
in 2011 i reflected, learned, grew, a LOT. this year was definitely one of consistent internal dialogue + reflection as well as provocative conversations with friends and others; purposefully challenging myself relationally, professionally, spiritually; and so many NEW experiences. i was overwhelmed by blessings and lessons learned, and can say that i will always look back on 2011 as a pivotal year for me. looking fwd to what 2012 has in store...
• survived snowmageddon, and then the heat wave. oh chicago...
• had a wonderful 24th birthday celebration eating + dancing with 8 beautiful california girls :)
• graduated with my masters in social work from the university of chicago. two years flew by in a blur of personal and professional challenges, exploration, and growth.
• began my first real grown up job and then- another. oy. five months of working 1.5 jobs that taught me a lot about my limitations but also the FUN of being a "post-graduate young professional." it is indeed a very fun, exhausting time...
• had a really fabulous summer (my first in the states in two years!), despite everyone's crazy schedules. lots of potlucks, sleepovers due to the heat wave, picnics, random events in the park, exploring new neighborhoods, and good, solid conversations with friends. i love how chicago comes alive in the summer.
• bid farewell to some of those amazing friends and embarked on that transitional season of the "post-graduate young professional."
• swam in lake michigan for the first time
• went to my first cubs game
• fell head over heels in love with a close friend, and invested myself in what i would describe as my first committed relationship. experienced both the tangible joy and deep hurt that comes with allowing yourself to be absolutely and completely vulnerable with another human being. many hard lessons learned and much insight gained into myself and the lifetime partner i am praying for. a sad parting but with no regrets.
• dated some really great guys. learned that i'm not very good at dating, and that i don't particularly enjoy it. sigh.
• moved into a wonderful new neighborhood and home in andersonville/edgewater with a dear friend. realized that i'm staying in chicago. boy am i completely infatuated with this city. slowly beginning the task of investing in community, now that i know this might not just be a transitional thang.
• traveled for a life-affirming month throughout vietnam, china, and korea. lost myself in the mountains, waters, skies of asia; marveled at man-made wonders; was enveloped by the love of family; experienced old friendships in new surroundings; and reflected a lot on me. an incredible journey.
• bought a big ole 8 ft christmas tree, my first since i was maybe 4 or 5. i love frank.
• had pets for the first time since i was maybe 5 or 6. i love fish.
• visited wisconsin for the first time with the girls.
• visited my best friend in DC, our first visit in nearly 1.5 years. good to know that some things never change :)
• visited home twice, and wished i had deeper roots in baltimore- but i don't, and don't expect that i ever will. it's sad to think that from this point on i'll only be seeing my family a few times a year (which is actually how it's been for about six years now), but i am thankful for how close i have become to my parents despite (because of?) the distance.
• got a REAL haircut for the first time in many years and donated for the first time to locks of love.
• church hopped. praying.
• watched a lot of korean television. hahaha.
• made a lot of new friends, and grew closer to old ones.
in 2011 i reflected, learned, grew, a LOT. this year was definitely one of consistent internal dialogue + reflection as well as provocative conversations with friends and others; purposefully challenging myself relationally, professionally, spiritually; and so many NEW experiences. i was overwhelmed by blessings and lessons learned, and can say that i will always look back on 2011 as a pivotal year for me. looking fwd to what 2012 has in store...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)