Reflections on 2009 and Resolutions for 2010
Well, I've survived another Christmas season of retail, and so far this one was the hardest, both on my feet and my spirit. I enjoy working as a bookseller and being out on the sales floor much more than being a cashier, both for the extra money and the opportunity to connect with people, but it seemed that people were more demanding this year than they were the past few years--perhaps because I was in more direct contact with them? We had more last minute shoppers and more bargain shoppers this year, and less people out on the sales floor to help them...so it was easier to get frazzled! The hardest thing was being confronted with multiple people at once, and of course only being able to give one of those people my attention! So many people with lists...and the abundance of greedy children and cheap parents helped suck the meaning and warm fuzzies out of Christmas for me--it will be hard to forget the whiny teenage girl with the Victoria Secret, Coach, and Borders gift list...
I have and continue to still look for another, more satisfying job still in my field, but so far that still eludes me. I've sent out multiple cold resumes several times this year, responded to about a half dozen posted job openings, and posted my resume on the BuffaloHelpWanted.com and Buffalo State Career Center Web sites, but haven't had any luck yet...I'm also hoping that my volunteer experience with Forest Lawn pans out into a new some job opportunities. So far it hasn't yet, but I've had some amazing experiences and met some awesome people.
I took a docent training course with Buffalo Tours, the educational arm of Preservation Buffalo Niagara, and Forest Lawn Cemetery from February to May of this year and learned much about the history of Buffalo, the administration of non-profit organizations, and how to be a good tour guide. The class also enabled me to visit the Darwin Martin House, tour the Guaranty Building, eat at a historic Irish pub in Buffalo's Old First Ward, and take two free architectural tours of Buffalo's historic neighborhoods. So far I haven't led my first tour just yet, but I have worked several of Forest Lawn's special events and am the administrator of Forest Lawn's official Facebook site--an endeavor that has kept me more busy over this past year than I thought it would!
I am still dating Andy Urban, and one of the biggest changes in my life over the past year was that of us moving in together. The new apartment has had its ups and downs, (particularly the plumbing and furnace), but we are still having fun together and look forward to spending 2010 and hopefully beyond together as a couple. We were able to take a few trips together and enjoyed exploring Ithaca, Sacketts Harbor, and Lancaster County in the winter and summer. He was also my date to the Metzler-Hess wedding, and I enjoyed introducing him to the Houghton crew while we stayed with Christine and Doug Bodden over the long weekend. We also had a blast at the Renaissance Festival in Sterling and a few Sabres games, and are looking forward to opening our apartment up to friends for a New Year's Eve party.
It's strange to realize that this next year will be one of the last of my twenties. There are times that I feel so weary and OLD, but then I hit one of those inexperienced I-want-my-mommy moments and I'm stopped cold. On one hand, it's frustrating to realize where I am in my life right now, and where I actually should be--compared to other who've graduated with me from Houghton. But, on the other hand, I actually do enjoy my job (most days), I have intellectually fulfilling volunteer work, I'm in a relationship with the most amazing man who loves me, and I have deep relationships with several friends, and a wonderful group of acquaintances and co-workers that keep me sane. I'm a member of a decent church, and while I struggle to trust in God's provision, I know that at the end of the day, HE will provide for me. In 2010, I resolve to do some simple things: excercise at least 30 minutes everyday, continue to walk in God's Word, and to find another job. Good luck & May the force be with everybody!
(hey, I'm a Star Wars nut too...I couldn't resist!)
I have and continue to still look for another, more satisfying job still in my field, but so far that still eludes me. I've sent out multiple cold resumes several times this year, responded to about a half dozen posted job openings, and posted my resume on the BuffaloHelpWanted.com and Buffalo State Career Center Web sites, but haven't had any luck yet...I'm also hoping that my volunteer experience with Forest Lawn pans out into a new some job opportunities. So far it hasn't yet, but I've had some amazing experiences and met some awesome people.
I took a docent training course with Buffalo Tours, the educational arm of Preservation Buffalo Niagara, and Forest Lawn Cemetery from February to May of this year and learned much about the history of Buffalo, the administration of non-profit organizations, and how to be a good tour guide. The class also enabled me to visit the Darwin Martin House, tour the Guaranty Building, eat at a historic Irish pub in Buffalo's Old First Ward, and take two free architectural tours of Buffalo's historic neighborhoods. So far I haven't led my first tour just yet, but I have worked several of Forest Lawn's special events and am the administrator of Forest Lawn's official Facebook site--an endeavor that has kept me more busy over this past year than I thought it would!
I am still dating Andy Urban, and one of the biggest changes in my life over the past year was that of us moving in together. The new apartment has had its ups and downs, (particularly the plumbing and furnace), but we are still having fun together and look forward to spending 2010 and hopefully beyond together as a couple. We were able to take a few trips together and enjoyed exploring Ithaca, Sacketts Harbor, and Lancaster County in the winter and summer. He was also my date to the Metzler-Hess wedding, and I enjoyed introducing him to the Houghton crew while we stayed with Christine and Doug Bodden over the long weekend. We also had a blast at the Renaissance Festival in Sterling and a few Sabres games, and are looking forward to opening our apartment up to friends for a New Year's Eve party.
It's strange to realize that this next year will be one of the last of my twenties. There are times that I feel so weary and OLD, but then I hit one of those inexperienced I-want-my-mommy moments and I'm stopped cold. On one hand, it's frustrating to realize where I am in my life right now, and where I actually should be--compared to other who've graduated with me from Houghton. But, on the other hand, I actually do enjoy my job (most days), I have intellectually fulfilling volunteer work, I'm in a relationship with the most amazing man who loves me, and I have deep relationships with several friends, and a wonderful group of acquaintances and co-workers that keep me sane. I'm a member of a decent church, and while I struggle to trust in God's provision, I know that at the end of the day, HE will provide for me. In 2010, I resolve to do some simple things: excercise at least 30 minutes everyday, continue to walk in God's Word, and to find another job. Good luck & May the force be with everybody!
(hey, I'm a Star Wars nut too...I couldn't resist!)