i was going through some old stuff the other day and found a horoscope i'd cut out of the newspaper and saved. i'm not sure when it was published, but my finding it just before 2009 begins seemed fitting. this is what it says:"With Pluto in Sagittarius, a long trend that started in 1995 and will end in 2008, you have been in a period of transition, gradually building a life that is more "you" and less of a life that others expect of you. Every so often, take a moment to see how far you've come and make adjustments if necessary. An examined life is a better life. You don't have to live a script someone else wrote."
i graduated from high school in 1995 and thus began a huge learning curve for moi. one of the most crucial things i've learned in the mpmmmfh years since then has been to write my own story. not one i think other people will approve of or enjoy. one that makes me happy. lord knows i've stumbled and slipped backwards and done all kinds of loop-da-loops along the way, but i'm proud (and relieved) to be heading into 2009 a strong, smart, self-assured woman.
on that note - since all the news channels are doing their 2008 Year in Review shows, packed with economy woes, election highlights and Tina-Fey-as-Sarah-Palin clips, i thought i'd switch it up a bit and compile the top 10 moments of my life this year. so, in somewhat chronological order:
~ putting a roof over my head, finally
god knows it took long enough and involved many false starts, and i damn near gave up all hope of having a normal living situation again, but just in the nick of time last January i found the apartment i'd been waiting for. i'm happy to say i love it more today than i did when i first moved in.not only was the march to victory thrilling and just plain awesome, i got to watch it with my dad (with whom i'd watched the last two Giant super bowl victories) on a kick-ass television and with lots of yelling and high-fives and jumping up and down. freaking cool, man.
- my cousin Darren's goodbye party
believe me, a huge part of me was very sad to bid my cuz goodbye last May. but it was also a wonderful occasion for two reasons. wait, three. one: i played beer pong for the first time in a long time and while i don't want to think about all the germs i consumed, it was fun in the moment. two: Darren is living in London, and i think that's incredibly cool. he made one of his goals a reality. i always applaud that. three: it was a reminder of how lucky i am and glad i am to have the relationship i do with my cousins. the older i get, the more i realize how incredibly important it is to have enduring family ties. we'll be the ones leading the pack someday, and i know we'll always have each other.
- realizing i could trust myself
this has been a work-in-progress, but i had a moment last June when i realized i was putting my heart on the line, i was speaking the utmost truth, and i wasn't scared. this is after years of being afraid of speaking up, saying too much, not believing i was strong enough to handle certain things in my life. i still have moments of self-doubt, but by and large, this year i learned how vital it is to put yourself out there and let 'er rip. only good things can follow.
~ drinking our way around the Worldthis has been a work-in-progress, but i had a moment last June when i realized i was putting my heart on the line, i was speaking the utmost truth, and i wasn't scared. this is after years of being afraid of speaking up, saying too much, not believing i was strong enough to handle certain things in my life. i still have moments of self-doubt, but by and large, this year i learned how vital it is to put yourself out there and let 'er rip. only good things can follow.
- going from freelance to fulltime
granted, i still miss my freelance paychecks from time to time, but the pros of being fulltime at my job far outweigh the cons. i can work 8 to 8 or 10 to 6 and still get the same paycheck (ie, no pressure to work myself to death). i have paid vacation days. i have insurance. i don't have to send quarterly estimated payments to the IRS. and i can get the employee discount now, with my 'official' ID card.
granted, i still miss my freelance paychecks from time to time, but the pros of being fulltime at my job far outweigh the cons. i can work 8 to 8 or 10 to 6 and still get the same paycheck (ie, no pressure to work myself to death). i have paid vacation days. i have insurance. i don't have to send quarterly estimated payments to the IRS. and i can get the employee discount now, with my 'official' ID card.
i had a few moments of hesitation when Michael and i were planning our third trip to Disney World. i wondered if we shouldn't be taking a more... mature vacation. but who was i kidding? we love it there, we laughed our tails off the week we were there in August, and we did something we'd never done before: drank our way around the World Showcase in Epcot. being tipsy gives you a whole new perspective and appreciation for that place, believe me. you haven't fully experienced Maelstrom in Norway until you've ridden it drunk.
~ watching the last game at Yankee Stadium with my dad
no, we weren't in the stands in the Bronx, watching the farewell in person. but we were together, watching on television, and it was still a magical, heart-wrenching, emotional time. there were just so many memories, so many stories, and sad as i was to say goodbye, i was very glad to share it all with my father.
~ watching the last game at Yankee Stadium with my dad
no, we weren't in the stands in the Bronx, watching the farewell in person. but we were together, watching on television, and it was still a magical, heart-wrenching, emotional time. there were just so many memories, so many stories, and sad as i was to say goodbye, i was very glad to share it all with my father.
~ finding out Christine is a mama-to-be
my oldest, dearest friend told me in September that she was expecting her first baby. she was my first friend, the girl i played dolls with when we were three, the closest thing i've had to a sister my whole life. to hear that she was going to have a wee one of her own put me over the moon, truly. she's due in April and i can't wait to spoil that kid. crazy Auntie Megs!
- waking up on November 5th feeling like things might actually get better nowmy oldest, dearest friend told me in September that she was expecting her first baby. she was my first friend, the girl i played dolls with when we were three, the closest thing i've had to a sister my whole life. to hear that she was going to have a wee one of her own put me over the moon, truly. she's due in April and i can't wait to spoil that kid. crazy Auntie Megs!
though i was not a rabid Obama supporter all along, and though i'm still not 100 percent over Hillary losing the nomination, i was more than elated on November 4th, knowing our country finally got it right. (and, hey, after seeing those Hawaii pictures, i might become an Obama girl myself...)
- finally visiting the Empire State Building
and, you know, the question that was asked of me on the Observation Deck was pretty cool too...
(i'm smiling like an idiot as i type this.)
Happy New Year!
mb
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