2004 - The Year That Was
First off, I wish all of you out there a very Happy New Year. Thank you for putting up with me and my quirks for yet another fun-filled year.
I always find myself weaving in and out of periods of self-reflection and that quasi-emotional rubbish around the holidays (see New Years Eve entry circa 2001). It usually leaves me feeling more on the "disappointment" side of the scale, as I (unfortunately) tend to focus on things that did not go my way. This year was starting to look/feel like it was going down the same path. And then some weird shit started happening... I started to realize how happy I was, and it kinda freaked me out.
The year that was 2004 was certainly eventful, ground-breaking, and chockful of moments that will not soon be forgotten in the life of Matt. I finally got myself into a Masters program, and have enjoyed my time there thus far. Dr. Chaturvedi is a great professor and advisor, and I've already learned so much from my experiences at Molloy. I made some serious headway in my career, and I finally feel like I'm getting some real honest recognition for all the shit that I do for my company that sometimes has a tendency to go unnoticed. Yeah, at times, things at the office got on my nerves and for any complaining that I may have shoved in your faces, I apologize. But I am grateful and I do feel as if I'm taking advantage of the opportunity that I have there. I'm still a work in progress.
But more importantly, 2004 was the Year of the Relationship for me. Now this may seem strange to those who know me well, considering that I've been girlfriend-free for nearly half of the calendar year. Sometimes it takes a relationship --- and that term can be used very liberally --- ending for you to really understand what a relationship (of any kind) requires. I have ABSOLUTELY no regrets about my relationship with Meg nor do I have any regrets about its subsequent demise. She helped teach me a lot about myself --- what I like, what I don't like, what I need to work on, etc. So for that I am very thankful.
But 2004 wasn't the Year of the Relationship just because of my relationship with one person. In fact, many people had distinct and important roles in my life over the last 366 days that are a major reason why I sit/stand before you all here today as the Matt you have grown to like/love/tolerate. Words cannot express how much these people mean to me, and they are the most powerful influence that gets me to wake up in the morning and go about my life in the way that I do. So I owe thank you's all around, in no order:
Rich & Karen - for being practically my 2nd home up in Rhode Island, and for the "pizza & beer" therapy sessions.
Sara W - for keeping me company on rainy Thursdays at Molloy, chocolate chip cookies, and getting me to smile for my student ID photo.
Mary - for maintaining my sanity. I would have lost it a long time ago without you. For always offering me a break from my crazy life. For not being afraid of a roller coaster ride or two or twenty. And for being the best date for my holiday party that I could have asked for. Even if my suit got all glitter-y.
Sara B - for being so thoughtful. Even though we don't get to hang out much, I look forward to it every time. And for helping to add a little flavor to my desk at work with the party bowl... everyone else is really jealous.
Joe - for just shooting shit with me and never complaining once. You're a great friend man. For being the lighter side of life for me. And for being more loyal and understanding than I ever gave you credit for, especially in light of recent events...
Caryn - for putting up with me all over again. I'm a real headache at times, and you could've given up. But you didn't and I'm extremely thankful that our friendship got reborn this year. And for being the best roadtrip buddy of the year. I'll see you in Baltimore at some point this spring.
Brian - for being home, frankly. I'm the #1 supporter for you going back to RI, make no mistake. But if you had to be here, then I certainly appreciated the company and having somebody in the room next door to keep me from losing it here and there. And for your loyalty. Being the oldest is cool and all, but I've been very lucky to have you and Kevin behind me all the time. Well, unless I'm doing something stupid. In that case, thank you both for laughing at me and making me realize how much of an ass I can be, too.
There are probably a lot more people who I haven't mentioned. It would take well into 2005 to acknowledge all the people who inspire me and keep me going through good days and shitty ones. For all of you, I wish you the happiness and health in the New Year, 2005, and look forward to more memories and laughs and good times and surprises.
"Because there's no place that I could be without you, honestly." - BILLY CORGAN
I love you all,
~ M.J.K. ~
I always find myself weaving in and out of periods of self-reflection and that quasi-emotional rubbish around the holidays (see New Years Eve entry circa 2001). It usually leaves me feeling more on the "disappointment" side of the scale, as I (unfortunately) tend to focus on things that did not go my way. This year was starting to look/feel like it was going down the same path. And then some weird shit started happening... I started to realize how happy I was, and it kinda freaked me out.
The year that was 2004 was certainly eventful, ground-breaking, and chockful of moments that will not soon be forgotten in the life of Matt. I finally got myself into a Masters program, and have enjoyed my time there thus far. Dr. Chaturvedi is a great professor and advisor, and I've already learned so much from my experiences at Molloy. I made some serious headway in my career, and I finally feel like I'm getting some real honest recognition for all the shit that I do for my company that sometimes has a tendency to go unnoticed. Yeah, at times, things at the office got on my nerves and for any complaining that I may have shoved in your faces, I apologize. But I am grateful and I do feel as if I'm taking advantage of the opportunity that I have there. I'm still a work in progress.
But more importantly, 2004 was the Year of the Relationship for me. Now this may seem strange to those who know me well, considering that I've been girlfriend-free for nearly half of the calendar year. Sometimes it takes a relationship --- and that term can be used very liberally --- ending for you to really understand what a relationship (of any kind) requires. I have ABSOLUTELY no regrets about my relationship with Meg nor do I have any regrets about its subsequent demise. She helped teach me a lot about myself --- what I like, what I don't like, what I need to work on, etc. So for that I am very thankful.
But 2004 wasn't the Year of the Relationship just because of my relationship with one person. In fact, many people had distinct and important roles in my life over the last 366 days that are a major reason why I sit/stand before you all here today as the Matt you have grown to like/love/tolerate. Words cannot express how much these people mean to me, and they are the most powerful influence that gets me to wake up in the morning and go about my life in the way that I do. So I owe thank you's all around, in no order:
Rich & Karen - for being practically my 2nd home up in Rhode Island, and for the "pizza & beer" therapy sessions.
Sara W - for keeping me company on rainy Thursdays at Molloy, chocolate chip cookies, and getting me to smile for my student ID photo.
Mary - for maintaining my sanity. I would have lost it a long time ago without you. For always offering me a break from my crazy life. For not being afraid of a roller coaster ride or two or twenty. And for being the best date for my holiday party that I could have asked for. Even if my suit got all glitter-y.
Sara B - for being so thoughtful. Even though we don't get to hang out much, I look forward to it every time. And for helping to add a little flavor to my desk at work with the party bowl... everyone else is really jealous.
Joe - for just shooting shit with me and never complaining once. You're a great friend man. For being the lighter side of life for me. And for being more loyal and understanding than I ever gave you credit for, especially in light of recent events...
Caryn - for putting up with me all over again. I'm a real headache at times, and you could've given up. But you didn't and I'm extremely thankful that our friendship got reborn this year. And for being the best roadtrip buddy of the year. I'll see you in Baltimore at some point this spring.
Brian - for being home, frankly. I'm the #1 supporter for you going back to RI, make no mistake. But if you had to be here, then I certainly appreciated the company and having somebody in the room next door to keep me from losing it here and there. And for your loyalty. Being the oldest is cool and all, but I've been very lucky to have you and Kevin behind me all the time. Well, unless I'm doing something stupid. In that case, thank you both for laughing at me and making me realize how much of an ass I can be, too.
There are probably a lot more people who I haven't mentioned. It would take well into 2005 to acknowledge all the people who inspire me and keep me going through good days and shitty ones. For all of you, I wish you the happiness and health in the New Year, 2005, and look forward to more memories and laughs and good times and surprises.
"Because there's no place that I could be without you, honestly." - BILLY CORGAN
I love you all,
~ M.J.K. ~