2008, looking back, was overall a pretty good year for me. I could seriously reflect on all the highlights, but I’d rather list them in the positive (+) and negative (-) manner.

+ I started off my year by going to Ghana for three weeks
+ Ghana was an incredible experience and just gave me a bigger taste for and interest in visiting Africa more than once in my life
- I got homesick in Africa
+ When I got back, Michael and I celebrated a very pleasant and secluded 3 year anniversary at his beach house (for free!)
+ I had a very productive last semester. I participated in so many things (extracurricular and class-related) that really boosted my resume
+ I was accepted into the Urban Servant Corps and became an official Americorps volunteer
+ Michael and I went and stayed in his family’s timeshare in Williamsburg and went to Busch Gardens (again, all for free by the grace and generosity of our families)
+ Some friends and I went to Michael’s beach house for a graduation trip
+ I graduated! I graduated Magna Cum Laude
+ Graduation festivities at Elon were really enjoyable
- I took a lame job for the summer working at the pool, not as a lifeguard, but as (essentially) a towel girl who also checks people in
+/- I worked with some fun people at that job, others not so fun
+ I put on my confident face and would go to the bar a couple of times a week during the summer by myself, but always successfully met people and became buddies with the staff
+ I grew to appreciate my relationship with Michael more after seeing what a single girl lifestyle would be like at this bar
+ I moved out to Colorado
- I left my family to be aware from them for the longest period of time yet
+ I adapted really well to my new Denver life
+ I really like being a part of the Urban Servant Corps
+/- I’m compatible with most of my community members, but with others it’s harder
+ This move out to Denver has brought Michael and I way closer and we both might want to stay out here longer if it becomes possible
+ It has made both of us much more independent
+ It’s been a huge learning experience, including learning about myself and solidifying who I am
+ Colorado is such a fun state to live in!
- It’s also really cold in the winter
- The house I’m living in is over 100 years old and, while it has so much history, it is also not insulated and too big to properly heat. Plus, every week something new becomes unusable or breaks (for instance, the doors inside the house don’t really latch shut)
+ It’s interesting living in such a historic district, and I’m within walking distance to downtown and the Capitol
+ I LOVE my job placement at The Gathering Place
+ Working there is eye-opening and gratifying… and ALWAYS interesting
- I don’t get paid for it
- I get a 100.00 per month stipend from Urban Servant Corps
+ But Urban Servant Corps gives us community money to provide for our food. Plus, room and board and insurance are covered by them
- Michael’s car (which is what we are both using) got hit in a hit-and-run incident over Christmas and it’s wrecked
+ I’m loving living out here and getting closer to my brother and sister-in-law, who live about 10 minutes away from me
+ I’m clarifying what sort of career I want and hoping that I can break into it as soon as USC is over
- I got heart surgery
+ But my family was with me and it seems to have cured my condition for life
+ I’ve gotten to travel around Colorado a lot and see some amazing sights

Aaaand that sums up my year! There are only a handful of negatives in that list. So, as I have looked back, I had the easiest time remembering the good things. Perhaps there are other negatives that I could have included, but I was unable to think of them. I think I’ll miss 2008. So many life changing things happened, so many things that I’m proud of. I declare the year a success.

My New Years resolution for 2009: floss

Current Mood: grateful