2009
2009
The Good:
- Going to Indiana State University with Jordan just to find out that’s not what I really wanted to do with my life.
- Going snowmobiling with my dad and Greg, this was so much fun! :) Skiing was great too.
- Getting to know Greg Pyrdol, going to Brookfield Zoo, karaoke, and Chinatown with friends, dating Greg before the feeling of it being completely wrong.
- All the times I got to escape to Glenview to watch the kitties. And Arlington Heights to watch Cody. :)
- The interview in Pomona, CA for Western University of Health Sciences Veterinary School. My first vet school interview, one of the most scary and exciting things in my life so far.
- The interview in Tuskegee, AL for Tuskegee University Veterinary School. Went a lot better than the first interview, but both had the same result.
- The winter-time visit to UIUC where I drank way too much and had a ton of fun with Marissa, Anne, and their friends. :)
- Not sure where this fits, receiving the waitlist letters from both Western Univ. and Tuskegee.
- Visiting Ashley in Moline, feeding the Alpacas, and running away from them when we ran out of food. The fat corgis and random guy who took over Ashley’s room at Dr. T’s house was quite interesting. Then again it was 3AM when we returned home somewhat buzzed and angry at some half-naked guy in her bed…
- Spring Break trip in Orlando, FL visiting Disney World, Universal Studios, and other fun places. The amazing realization that hookah + alcohol = amazing, but illegal in Illinois. I haven’t been able to smoke hookah since.
- Getting to know, meeting, and dating David. The whole process, going from “internet friends” to friends to boyfriend/girlfriend within a few short weeks was quite interesting.
- Easter, love this holiday because through Lent I always grow closer to Jesus and on Easter I can rejoice. :) Oh yea and David met my parents, who approved, so he asked me out after giving me a home-made Easter basket.
- The day I gave my two weeks notice to Wheeling Animal Hospital after receiving a letter of employment from LOGS Network IT Helpdesk, which is where I currently work.
- All the interviews with animal hospitals and shelters despite getting a job, I ended up in IT because that’s who was offering the most $ at the time. :)
- Going to Milwaukee twice, Brookfield Zoo, three weddings, Wisconsin Dells, Stacy’s BBQ, Memorial Day BBQ, Six Flags, HS friends reunion, King’s Island, VW company picnic, comedy show with Bill Engvall, 4th of July WOW party full of drama, Frontier Days, my pool party, all with David (which wasn’t always good but for the most part I had fun).
- Doctor’s party to say goodbye to vets who were laid off at WAH, Shedd volunteer interview, parents visiting Texas for a week, and the awesome NYC trip to visit Joyce Tu.
- Getting accepted to Western Illinois University Graduate Program: Master’s in Biology, taking classes at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. :)
- My dad getting a new job within a few months of being laid-off.
- Moving out of the parents’ house and into my new apartment in the city in August. W00t! Best decision ever, I haven’t been happier honestly.
- Somehow turning back to OKCupid one last time, talking to Mr. Oldenburg who at first seemed interesting but over time turned into a walking nightmare, but at least provides funny stories. :)
- Classes at Shedd Aquarium, volunteering at Shedd both the amazing Rivers Gallery and the Wild Reef more recently. Circus trip to Moline for class.
- Hanging out more with Stacy since moving into the city, finally meeting Emmanuel Ansong (yes, I know)
- Hanging out with my ex-coworker from Hewitt, friend, and current manager Vince and his friends who also work with us. I played DnD and Guitar Hero with them one night. Yep.
- Rekindling my friendship with Jordan :) He’s a good friend who’s always there for me when I need him.
- Getting to know Vince initially over IM but then during the many hours we spent together both at work and outside of work. Finding previously suppressed feelings for him becoming a reality. Going from way too busy to have any guy in my life (oh Nate) to filling every gap of time with Vince.
- The level to which I’ve reached with Vince, we are best friends, who love each other despite everything and everyone being against us. Since this whole thing has started, a good amount of people have seen what we see and how we feel and actually accept it. My mom is the next major person to do this. Currently working on that one.
- Mary & Alex, Cory & Bob... long-time relationships from High School finally tying the knot (Cory and Bob in November 2009 and Mary and Alex in December 2009) :)
All the crazy road trips and visits to peoples. I love to travel and look forward to travelling more this year.- New Year’s Eve: saving Vince, visiting and meeting his mom, and bringing the New Year in with my good friends. :)
The Bad:
- The continued abuse and hardship I experienced at the WAH between Brenda, Joan and Dr. Roberts.
- Seeing my mom suffer with her lymphedema.
- Seeing my brother suffer with his mental disorder over and over again, and my mom’s reaction from it all.
- My dad losing his job at Hewitt where he worked for 15 years and finally got the extra bonus 3 wks vacation. They called him the 1st day of his 2 week vacation to let him know he had 2 weeks to clean out his desk. Yeah.
- Breaking up with Greg and then dating David about 2 weeks later. Bad idea if I ever had one.
- Breaking up with David. Honestly at this point I was pretty bummed out due to the velocity of which I was taking my life: introduction, attraction, cloud 9 type love, reality, true colors shown, break up. Repeat three times in one year and yea I was pretty worn out.
- Nate Oldenburg and his lack of maturity and respect for me to the point where he made me drive him home at 2AM after he told me he was going to stay the night and knowing full well I had to get up at 7AM to volunteer. Thank you, asshole.
- The drama that Vince and I have been experiencing from the beginning of this craziness. The divorce that no matter how you see it, I’ve had my hand in. Still uncertain if this all is really for the best or if I’m just being selfish.
- The drama between my brother, Nicole, my mom, etc. I am getting to the point where it’s finally all catching up to me, and for some reason it all makes me really sad. Pat and Nicole breaking up, his crazy phase, my mom freaking out over it all, and my poor dad who has to deal with it all on top of his new stressful job. Time for a vacation.
New Year's Resolutions:
- Grow in my relationship with God and His son Jesus. :)
- Grow in my friendships, mainly with those who are most important and close to me. I won’t say names because I did last year and still fell away from two out of the three names. :l
- Meet some new people, make some new friends. I am on my way to this through school and volunteering, I have met some new people who are pretty cool. :)
- Figure out what I wanna do with my hair and stick with it. (Ha!)
- Figure out what I wanna do with my life, in regards to veterinary school and relocating after my master’s program at WIU.
- Gain my mom’s approval over the choices I’m making in my life. This one might take longer than a year.