This must be it... Welcome to the new year

2011 has been an interesting year, to say the very least.  Like any year, much like the ocean tide, it had its ups, downs, swells and ebbs.  To be honest, I don't recall much of the early part of the year.  I was still in my first few months of being a newbie CA.  (Pandora and irony must be good friends... Green Day's song "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" just started playing.)

Would there be things I would go back and change?  Of course.  That's how life is.  But to quote one of my favorite shows, "what's done is done" and "whatever happened, happened."  I've slowly come to accept that I can't change my past.  There are stones left unturned, mistakes made, etc., but that's beside the point.

I really started to get into blogging this year.  I went from two or three followers to twenty-two.  I've realized how much it truly helps me express myself, to let my voice be heard in an otherwise voiceless world.  It let me face many of my fears and inner demons that battle back and forth about my future.  I still don't know exactly where I'm going, but I'm excited to see where I wind up.

I saw more of the world this year (well, New York for the first time and California for the fourth time, but first with just a friend, and Ohio with the same friend).  I made more memories during those two trips than I thought possible.  I also strengthened a lot of friendships this year.  Some went by the wayside, but others blossomed.

I also got the chance to work intern/volunteer for the Red Cross this past summer and also work part-time selling over-priced office supplies.  Needless to say, it was quite the busy summer, but enjoyable nonetheless.  I came back to school early as always for CA training.  It was then I learned I had 70-something residents.  I was scared shitless to hear this.  There's only one other CA on campus who has that number.

At the wax museum in Hollywood

But this year has showed me that I'm meant to be in this field.  I really can only think of a few complaints about my residents (good thing they don't read this!), and they're minor things anyway.  I have one resident who calls me his favorite CA and the best he could ask for.  It's the little stuff that makes this job worth it.

Academically, this semester has had its ups and downs.  For the second time in my college career, I had to drop a class (the only negative repercussion is having to take 15 credits next semester instead of 12.  Considering I started my major and two minors a year late and still graduating in four years total is pretty awesome).  Additionally, one of my classes didn't start off strong ... at all.  I basically bombed the first test (read: less than 50%).

This year, I almost had a full-blown, stress-induced panic attack on December 8.  I remember the date because of the anniversary of one of my favorite musician's deaths.  It was also the day of the second shooting at Virginia Tech.  As I had mentioned, one of my cousins lives very close to campus (he was there for the first one actually), and I didn't know for about 2 1/2 hours if he was okay.  I have never been more afraid in my life.  I was so relieved to hear he was not anywhere near campus.

With my youngest cousin.

After an interesting experience at a casino later in December, my family and I went over to my grandparents' house for their annual Christmas party.  Four of my mom's seven siblings and their families were there, and it was awesome to see them.  Having a big family is, simply put, a lot of fun.  My cousins range in age from 6 to 28, and I'm the fourth oldest.  I love seeing my cousins grown up (even if it does make feel old!).

My Christmas was pretty low-key.  For the first time in a few years, it was just my younger brother, my parents, and me.  Usually we have my grandparents over, but this year, they went to my uncle's house.  Before she passed away 4 years ago, we would always have my great-aunt over every Christmas because we were the closest family she had.

...Wow.  This entry is a heck of a lot longer than I thought it was going to be.  So, thanks, readers, for being with me through the thick and thin of it.  I really, truly could not have done it without your help.  I hope you have an amazing New Year's and it brings you all the happiness in the world.  You all deserve the very best and nothing less.