2009
At the end of 2008 - After feeling like my life and sense of self had been turned upside down and finding myself at what felt like rockbottom, I took a risk and quit the job that i hated to work for a few months in a lab at VT, resulting in me moving back to Blacksburg and going back to grad school.
2009- I started a PhD program. Fell in love. Found an apartment in downtown Blacksburg. Reconnected with old friends and professors. Went to several weddings. Also a funeral. Started living with Ryan. Pamina died, then Pasita died less than 3 months later-both broke my heart, and I still cry and miss them. Canela learned to be queen bunny. I learned the horrible story of how a close friend was raped. I had a falling out with another close friend over a misunderstanding. I “burnt” my hands on habanero peppers and later had a nightmare about it. Ryan built me a bike and I usually ride it to work. I’ve been on some of the most beautiful hikes imaginable. Went camping 5+ times! I stopped running as often -lack of time. Met so many wonderful new people. Tried ultimate Frisbee. Took a Qi-gong class. Started yoga again. Went to Floyd fest - and frolicked around barefoot in a scalloped skirt. Danced in the rain. Ran in freezing rain (it’s like needles hitting your face). Ryan and I celebrated our 1-year anniversary by repeating our first date -martini party! Completed the first year of my PhD program and earned a scholarship award (given to one new PhD student each year, based on accomplishments)! Spent Thanksgiving in Delaware with Ryan’s family, then Christmas in Florida with my family. Played disc golf again. Ran 6+miles barefoot on the beach. Added drawings to my sketchbook (same one since high school). Stood in a field at midnight watching a blizzard, played in the snow the next day.
...As always there have been ups and downs. Loosing Pamina and Pasita left a silent void that still hurts, and other things created fresh sores from old scabs, but that's life. Previous years' experiences made me outwardly more callous and less idealistic, I came to terms with that. Overall, I feel that this was a very good year and I can say that I am genuinely happy --perhaps that happiest I've ever been =).
2009- I started a PhD program. Fell in love. Found an apartment in downtown Blacksburg. Reconnected with old friends and professors. Went to several weddings. Also a funeral. Started living with Ryan. Pamina died, then Pasita died less than 3 months later-both broke my heart, and I still cry and miss them. Canela learned to be queen bunny. I learned the horrible story of how a close friend was raped. I had a falling out with another close friend over a misunderstanding. I “burnt” my hands on habanero peppers and later had a nightmare about it. Ryan built me a bike and I usually ride it to work. I’ve been on some of the most beautiful hikes imaginable. Went camping 5+ times! I stopped running as often -lack of time. Met so many wonderful new people. Tried ultimate Frisbee. Took a Qi-gong class. Started yoga again. Went to Floyd fest - and frolicked around barefoot in a scalloped skirt. Danced in the rain. Ran in freezing rain (it’s like needles hitting your face). Ryan and I celebrated our 1-year anniversary by repeating our first date -martini party! Completed the first year of my PhD program and earned a scholarship award (given to one new PhD student each year, based on accomplishments)! Spent Thanksgiving in Delaware with Ryan’s family, then Christmas in Florida with my family. Played disc golf again. Ran 6+miles barefoot on the beach. Added drawings to my sketchbook (same one since high school). Stood in a field at midnight watching a blizzard, played in the snow the next day.
...As always there have been ups and downs. Loosing Pamina and Pasita left a silent void that still hurts, and other things created fresh sores from old scabs, but that's life. Previous years' experiences made me outwardly more callous and less idealistic, I came to terms with that. Overall, I feel that this was a very good year and I can say that I am genuinely happy --perhaps that happiest I've ever been =).