Well, since I last posted I graduated, celebrated Christmas with both sets of parents, entered my 23rd year of life, celebrated New Years, and started working full-time. And in the midst of those changes, I've stumbled and learned more about who I am and want to be.
Here's my play-by-play:
-Graduation was great, filled with all 4 parents along with Matchi and Patchi. Great to see them, they visited from Oregon!
-I spent a week at Dad's in Dec. for my vacation. Made a scrapbook with stepmom Lisa for her parents' 40th anniversary and celebrated Christmas. Obtained a new red and black camera and the entire series of Lost. New project for me and sister.
-Christmas with all of Jim's family was loud and entertaining, consisting of toy gun fights between my stepbrothers and screams of excitement from the grandkids as they
opened gifts. Christmas day with mom, Jim, and sister was nice. Banana nut pancakes and enchiladas stuffed me silly.
-Birthday was pleasant! Mellow Mushroom for lunch (great pizza, located in Wilder, KY) and saw The King's Speech with sister (the casting was very impressive, i recommend it). Went out with my boys later on in the night.
-Went to Grammer's for New Years with a fun posse. Had to go out this year since I have been at bowl games for the past 2 new years nights.
-I had a graduation party at the Vatican! People stopped by and hung out. It was a chill party, good to know that I'm loved :)
Moving forward, I'm filling in at Alumni for an employee who is on medical leave until the end of February. I'm an administrative assistant, which means that I have a continual checklist of internal requests from my colleagues who are program managers for local and Nationwide alumni initiatives. I have learned how to use different online programs for registration and informing alumni around the country, along with how departments operate and interact with the whole university. The people there are very supportive as I submit applications at the university for program coordinator and executive staff assistant positions.
I'm still living at the Vatican with the girls. It's interesting for us to all be at different places in life and relationships. As a recent graduate, conflict exists in the step between being a big girl during the day with work and stepping into the professional life and having the collegiate world around me. Next year, I'll be living with my soul mate Tricia in an apartment. I was thinking about living by myself, but I obtain so much energy from other people and get more depressed if I'm alone for too long. So I'm glad to have one roommate who is one of my best friends. Time to grow up, gotta wait 9 months though!
I have learned a lot about myself through my relationships this quarter, some more than others. Prudence in my decisions and considering the consequences of my actions more is a goal of mine, however I don't intend to abandon my natural desire to learn from experience. I'm trying to let go of things that could be so great but ultimately not the best.
And to let go of every aspect of life. Trust is still a prevalent point of focus with the job search and finding contentment with being single. I'll be more intentional with my girl time and figuring out how to treat singleness. Along with that, Crossroads is doing a 4 week study on being single that I will attend to get some perspective. And to build new community and be fed in an environment closer to my place in life. My ministry with Navs was such a blessing during college, but my participation is through Alumni now, not being among peers.
I am spending this weekend in Gatlinburg with the parents, sister, and two of her friends from Taylor (Mr. Van Wyk and Mr. Ford aka. Mr. Pokewhore). I think I needed time away from everything more than I thought. Time to catch up on rest, have good food, laugh enough to get an ab workout.
In sum, God is good even though life is challenging me.
