2011 Absolution

Recently, I was talking to my girlfriends about how enthusiastic I am going into 2012 with only a small number of expectations.  Literally, I can count them on one hand.

2011 was an ultimate years of highs and lows.  I embraced my friendships and chose to let go of one that defined my life for four years.  Romance meant both a steamroller and a mack truck, forcing me to pick myself up after I just discovered my footing again.

Professionally I'm happy and after three years in the same building, I better be.  Of course, I want more and I'm on the right path.  I'm expecting only big things in the recent future and am enthusiastic about the possibilities.

Thank God for friends.  With them, I've created some of the best memories.  Ski trips.  Birthday bar crawls.  Trolleys. Thursday nights playing volleyball on the beach.  Softball teams, each with their own set of teammates.  Bike rides out to the lake.  Then you have the more surreal moments of 2011.  Naked bike rides.  Bottle service at 2 a.m. Spontaneous boat rides on Lake Michigan. Trolling college bars.  Back-to-back Ad World Series Championships!

In late summer, some people told me that the next few months were "supposed to be harder" but they couldn't be more wrong.  I'm happy.  I'm learning what it's like to be myself, even if that means talk to empty air while watching TV on a Monday night.

One friend said that going into a new year without expectations or plans would make her nervous.  But I'm a little different.  In the game of taking what life throws at you, I'm all in this.  And looking forward to the results.