2011 Year in Review

Man, once again, everyone seems to think 2011 sucked. And while I have plenty of reasons to say it sucked, it just kind of seems like a waste of a year to throw it all out as bad.

Yes, I lost my job and one of my best friends decided we weren't friends anymore (for a variety of issues that she needs to work out on her own - and I sincerely hope she does because I know she really needs help - and despite what has happened, I really do care very much about her well-being). Those things suck, but they didn't define my year. While I was still at my job, I loved it and was respected and well-liked by my students and co-workers. And though it was difficult at times, I had a lot of good times and have a lot of fond memories of the time I spent with my friend.

I also had a lot of good people reach out and talk me through some tough times, and for that reason alone, I can't really call 2011 bad. Some were close friends I have had for a long time, and others were unexpected acquaintances who I didn't expect to give a crap about my problems. Thanks to you guys, and you know who you are.

I've managed to make it out to Disneyland several times in the last year, each trip being a unique and fun experience. I've also gotten to spend a lot more time with one of my best friends from college, Jose, and his fiancee Ashley. STBE 2011 was another success, and we found an awesome new reveler in Kat, who really took to the whole experience and was an awesome addition to our regular crew. I bought a sweet new car in 2011, and thanks to unemployment insurance, I haven't had it repossessed, haha.

I've gotten a lot of new blog readers, but to be fair, they probably couldn't care less about this post. They're more interested in finding out if Eliza, the white girl from Afro Blue is pregnant or learning more about the girl with the shaved head from Delilah (Haha, tricked you into finding this post! Thanks for reading!).

What else good happened this year? I hate to keep harping on that broken friendship thing, but I really did learn that I am good at helping others and that I am more patient than I ever thought I was capable of being. Even though it still hurts to think about it sometimes, it really did make me feel good to know that I was making a difference for someone, even if they aren't able to see it right now. I have faith that eventually my friend will get help and get back to being the person I know she is.

I know I've probably skipped over some things that were good about the year (and bad, too), and I'll think of them later, but I really don't think 2011 was all that bad. I have good friends and I'm still alive and relatively healthy. Why complain? There are people who have a whole hell of a lot less than I do.

Happy New Year, everyone. I hope you all find whatever it is that makes you happy in this new year.