2005 in Review / Resolutions
2005 is gone. Time to reflect. In January, I was offered my first post-college-graduation job at a local cardiology practice in Portland. The temporary contracting position was simply document digitization as the office prepared to become paperless. When the project was completed in May, the management liked me so much that they extended my contract and made me a medical records assistant. Changes in responsibilities around the practice pressured me into more and more decision-making situations that I wasn't comfortable with or really trained for. To the dismay of my coworkers, I opted out of a continuance of contract in September. My last day was sad but I think that, deep down, everyone knew I had other places I needed to be.
And boy did I. Right after leaving my job, I took a chunk of my savings and went on the ultimate road trip. Two months I was gone, driving around the USA in my Geo Metro, visiting friends and family and seeing the great cities of my country. 8,000 miles and 30 states later, I look back on the whole trip and think, "The United States aren't all that big." It was a beautiful trip but I loved being alone and just cruising the freeways almost more than visiting cities and seeing the sights.
Since then, it's been slow going as I look for work while living with my folks. Over the last month, I've poured a lot of time and effort into converting their upstairs living room into a grand theater room. Other highlights throughout the year include buying a major filmmaking digital camera in April and then never using it, helping my sister move into her first home in June and being VIP at the Oregon Airshow in September.
So, it's resolution time once again. Last year, I resolved to correct my online language skills, get a job in my degree field and to take better care of myself. I accomplished half of those three things- I totally succeeded at bringing my online communication skills to a level fitting of a college graduate but even though I did get a job, it wasn't in my degree field. Also, while I did manage to lose around 30 pounds over the course of the year, (I was at 205 at Christmas in 2004) I don't feel like I'm quite toned yet. I can do better. I had goals to complete for the year too- To get a job, get an apartment and to be happy. I did get a job but it wasn't a permanent job so I couldn't move out. As for being happy, I think that'll be a life goal. Here's my new list of resolutions and goals:
1) I resolve to work harder at being more organized and cutting out the fat of my capitalistic existence. My room is a mess of stuff lying around. I need to eliminate the clutter, accumulate less stuff, rid myself of excessive crap and really get down to a more efficient and sharpened lifestyle.
2) I resolve to finish projects I begin. This is more of a reminder to myself that if I begin something, I must be prepared with a plan that will carry me to finish without much trouble or wasted time. Also, I should try not to be distracted so often. If there's something that needs to be done, I should try harder to get it done right then.
3) I resolve to work harder with my imagination. So long has the paint of my mind been capped by the pressures of reality. Rarely now do I find opportunity to enrich my inner child or inner desire to be creative. In 2006, I hope to do something that will afford my dreams some wings.
1) My first goal of 2006 is to get a REAL job. Yea.
2) My second goal of 2006 is to move out of the family home. I can't live with my parents forever.
3) My third goal of 2006 is to become financially independent of my family. If I can accomplish goals one and two, this one is probably just redundant. But it's a powerful statement, to be independent like that.
This should be a huge year of growth and self-discovery. So here's to 2006, may it not suck.
And boy did I. Right after leaving my job, I took a chunk of my savings and went on the ultimate road trip. Two months I was gone, driving around the USA in my Geo Metro, visiting friends and family and seeing the great cities of my country. 8,000 miles and 30 states later, I look back on the whole trip and think, "The United States aren't all that big." It was a beautiful trip but I loved being alone and just cruising the freeways almost more than visiting cities and seeing the sights.
Since then, it's been slow going as I look for work while living with my folks. Over the last month, I've poured a lot of time and effort into converting their upstairs living room into a grand theater room. Other highlights throughout the year include buying a major filmmaking digital camera in April and then never using it, helping my sister move into her first home in June and being VIP at the Oregon Airshow in September.
So, it's resolution time once again. Last year, I resolved to correct my online language skills, get a job in my degree field and to take better care of myself. I accomplished half of those three things- I totally succeeded at bringing my online communication skills to a level fitting of a college graduate but even though I did get a job, it wasn't in my degree field. Also, while I did manage to lose around 30 pounds over the course of the year, (I was at 205 at Christmas in 2004) I don't feel like I'm quite toned yet. I can do better. I had goals to complete for the year too- To get a job, get an apartment and to be happy. I did get a job but it wasn't a permanent job so I couldn't move out. As for being happy, I think that'll be a life goal. Here's my new list of resolutions and goals:
1) I resolve to work harder at being more organized and cutting out the fat of my capitalistic existence. My room is a mess of stuff lying around. I need to eliminate the clutter, accumulate less stuff, rid myself of excessive crap and really get down to a more efficient and sharpened lifestyle.
2) I resolve to finish projects I begin. This is more of a reminder to myself that if I begin something, I must be prepared with a plan that will carry me to finish without much trouble or wasted time. Also, I should try not to be distracted so often. If there's something that needs to be done, I should try harder to get it done right then.
3) I resolve to work harder with my imagination. So long has the paint of my mind been capped by the pressures of reality. Rarely now do I find opportunity to enrich my inner child or inner desire to be creative. In 2006, I hope to do something that will afford my dreams some wings.
1) My first goal of 2006 is to get a REAL job. Yea.
2) My second goal of 2006 is to move out of the family home. I can't live with my parents forever.
3) My third goal of 2006 is to become financially independent of my family. If I can accomplish goals one and two, this one is probably just redundant. But it's a powerful statement, to be independent like that.
This should be a huge year of growth and self-discovery. So here's to 2006, may it not suck.