as this year is ending…

I’ve been looking back on the past year for the past couple of days, and I can honestly say that though I regret many of the decisions I made over the course of 2008, I’m satisfied with how everything played out overall.

I made bad choices and got into a relationship that was completely toxic,
but
I’ve grown as a person, and I’ve learned not to be completely desperate and assume that if I’m good enough for someone, they deserve me.

because of toxic relationship, I stopped going to class and eventually medically withdrew,
but
I’ve been gaining life experience, and I feel like that is more important than anything I’ll ever learn in a classroom. I’ve also had time to actually think about what I want to do with my life, and I’m pretty sure that I almost have it right.

also because of toxic relationship, I went through a period of my life where I was completely codependent on drugs/alcohol,
but
I haven’t smoked pot or taken painkillers since April, and I’ve realized the detrimental effect they have on my life. I also stopped drinking for 2 months, and I can now control my intake and how often I drink.

I’m so much happier now than I think I’ve been my whole life. it’s a weird feeling for me since I’m so used to proclaiming my woes to the world. for now, I can’t honestly complain about anything.

I have the greatest friends in the world. they mean everything to me, and I don’t know where I’d be without them.

everyday I go to work, I feel like I’m making a difference in the world, however slight it may be. the self-satisfaction I get from working at Bancroft is greater than I will ever get working somewhere else.

I have two adorable kittens named Dexter and Jackson. despite the wreckage that is my bathroom every morning when I walk into it, I love them to death. my apartment would be so lonely without them.

my sister is pregnant for the fifth time, and she just found out she’s having another girl. my four nieces are the most adorable girls in the entire world. Madelyn has done amazing transitioning into kindergarten. Mia has finally learned her shapes and colors (she was busy bossing people around before). Isabella learns more and more words every day. Ava has made an awesome recovery. She’s sitting up by herself and so close to crawling. she can finally fit into jeans, and she’s almost busting out of them too. 3 months ago, my family would have never predicted this, but we’re so grateful she’s finally getting healthy.

I’m generally good-looking, and all the girls want me. haha. but seriously, the fact that I’m attractive makes me happy. so what? I’m a little bit self-centered.

I’m going to Lock Haven to bring in 2009. I’m excited to be with my 2 best friends from high school and party with them like before. it’s going to be a sad New Year’s though, but we’re going to get through it.

so as I type all of this out and reread, I still don’t have any complaints. 2008 was a good year, and I’m sure the next is going to be even better.