Christmas and 2006 in review
In a lot of ways, I feel like this is the first Christmas I've truly gotten to experience and enjoy in its fullness since I started college back in 2000. For the past 6 years, Christmas has been defined by end of the year exams, all-nighters, and anxiety - followed by overwhelming exhaustion.
This year I enjoyed the days leading up to Christmas with roommates and friends. We picked out a tree. We decorated our house. I went to Christmas parties and even helped plan an office party. I shopped for thoughtful gifts for friends and family, and then we exchanged gifts on Christmas. It was a relaxing, peaceful, and enjoyable experience.
I also feel that I was granted the perfect amount of time with my family. In years passed, because I've been in college, I've gotten a month off for Christmas. This year, I feel that 4 days has been sufficient. I had some good converations and fun times with my brother and my relatives. Admittedly, I do feel removed and further outside my family than my brother and cousins, because I live out of state. However, the benefits outweigh the disavantages. I am excited to return to my city. I miss my friends, and I am looking forward to celebrating New Years with them.
As I was talking with my relatives and friends, I realized what a wonderful year this has been. I feel as though my year truly began when I graduated with my Masters in Social Work. From there, I was free. I didn't have to prove myself through 20-30 page papers and exams designed to test my immediate memory, and my abusive internship ended. At the same time, I stopped individual therapy. I found myself having less and less to say in therapy, until I terminated with Debra. To celebrate, I went on a road trip to Canada. I planned Jenn's bachelorette party. I got to see Jenn & Sean get married, and I began looking for employment.
I was hired in July by RCI - a therapeutic foster care agency that my professor started 12 years ago. I love my job, and in fact, did not realize how stressful and emotionally taxing my last 2 internships had been until I began this job. I am paid well to do what I do. I like my bosses. I am given freedom in how I work, and at the same time, I do not feel overly obligated to "save" the company or my clients. I only want to leave them better than how I found them.
In October, I was given off time to go to Berkley, Illinois which was also a wonderful experience. It was such a good time that Jenn & I are planning to return in April. This time we booked plane tickets to avoid any run-ins with the Ohio law enforcement.
This month I rekindled my friendship with Paul. After a long talk, we met up a few days ago to go Christmas shopping and out to dinner. We had such a good time that we made plans to meet up again relatively soon. He called me after I left and again on Christmas.
This has been a year of accomplishments and a year of enjoying how far I've come. However, I still have a lot of work to do. Psychologically, I have work to do on myself and my relationships with others. I want to continue my education and receive my doctorate in social work. As much as I enjoy my job, I want to start looking for other employment, to receive more training in direct therapy, preferably family therapy or play therapy with children. I want to write more seriously and hone my skills as a writer. I want to read more current research being documented in my field and I want to read more fiction. And though this may cause heart attacks state-wide - I do want to spend less time drinking alcohol and experimenting with drugs - and consequently - less time attacking my liver and the rest of my body. ;) However, before any news stations are alerted - I will note that this is the least pertinent of my goals.
I'm very lucky, and I want to thank everyone for making this year the best yet. I'm looking forward to sharing 2007 with the people I love and who keep inspiring me to be a better person.
Merry Christmas everybody.
This year I enjoyed the days leading up to Christmas with roommates and friends. We picked out a tree. We decorated our house. I went to Christmas parties and even helped plan an office party. I shopped for thoughtful gifts for friends and family, and then we exchanged gifts on Christmas. It was a relaxing, peaceful, and enjoyable experience.
I also feel that I was granted the perfect amount of time with my family. In years passed, because I've been in college, I've gotten a month off for Christmas. This year, I feel that 4 days has been sufficient. I had some good converations and fun times with my brother and my relatives. Admittedly, I do feel removed and further outside my family than my brother and cousins, because I live out of state. However, the benefits outweigh the disavantages. I am excited to return to my city. I miss my friends, and I am looking forward to celebrating New Years with them.
As I was talking with my relatives and friends, I realized what a wonderful year this has been. I feel as though my year truly began when I graduated with my Masters in Social Work. From there, I was free. I didn't have to prove myself through 20-30 page papers and exams designed to test my immediate memory, and my abusive internship ended. At the same time, I stopped individual therapy. I found myself having less and less to say in therapy, until I terminated with Debra. To celebrate, I went on a road trip to Canada. I planned Jenn's bachelorette party. I got to see Jenn & Sean get married, and I began looking for employment.
I was hired in July by RCI - a therapeutic foster care agency that my professor started 12 years ago. I love my job, and in fact, did not realize how stressful and emotionally taxing my last 2 internships had been until I began this job. I am paid well to do what I do. I like my bosses. I am given freedom in how I work, and at the same time, I do not feel overly obligated to "save" the company or my clients. I only want to leave them better than how I found them.
In October, I was given off time to go to Berkley, Illinois which was also a wonderful experience. It was such a good time that Jenn & I are planning to return in April. This time we booked plane tickets to avoid any run-ins with the Ohio law enforcement.
This month I rekindled my friendship with Paul. After a long talk, we met up a few days ago to go Christmas shopping and out to dinner. We had such a good time that we made plans to meet up again relatively soon. He called me after I left and again on Christmas.
This has been a year of accomplishments and a year of enjoying how far I've come. However, I still have a lot of work to do. Psychologically, I have work to do on myself and my relationships with others. I want to continue my education and receive my doctorate in social work. As much as I enjoy my job, I want to start looking for other employment, to receive more training in direct therapy, preferably family therapy or play therapy with children. I want to write more seriously and hone my skills as a writer. I want to read more current research being documented in my field and I want to read more fiction. And though this may cause heart attacks state-wide - I do want to spend less time drinking alcohol and experimenting with drugs - and consequently - less time attacking my liver and the rest of my body. ;) However, before any news stations are alerted - I will note that this is the least pertinent of my goals.
I'm very lucky, and I want to thank everyone for making this year the best yet. I'm looking forward to sharing 2007 with the people I love and who keep inspiring me to be a better person.
Merry Christmas everybody.