Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!!  

Hope your day is filled with family, friends, good food, and many blessings!

For a peek at some of my family traditions, go here!

My thoughts on the Mayans

As much as I am not buying into the whole "Today is the end of the world" Mayan thing, I could not resist posting this video simply because it is a fun song!

 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Something Unpredictable

Saturday is my ten year high school reunion.  Where has the time gone?  Lately, I have been thinking back to a project we did in our senior theology class at Trinity reflecting on our time in high school and where we hoped we would be in the future.  I really wish I knew where this journal was since it would be interesting to compare where I am now to where thought I would be at age seventeen.  I do remember writing about graduating college (did that), working in a research lab (did that and will be back in one hopefully soon), and living in Cleveland (still here) making the most of all the city has to offer (currently doing).  I cannot remember if I said I would be married or if I would have kids.  However, there is one thing I have realized when thinking back on what I wrote, life truly is something unpredictable.

The past ten years for me have been filled with many successes, some failure, and a great deal of self discovery.  While I am currently getting my career back on track, I cannot say I have completely failed at this aspect of my life.  Yes, graduate school was not my cup of tea and I am currently looking for the "perfect" job.  However, I do have successful years of experience and have a better understanding of where I want my career to go in the future.  I knew I would remain active and healthy throughout my twenties, but if someone told me I would be going to my 10 year reunion as a marathon runner, I probably would have laughed at them.  In high school, I was a cheerleader, long jumper, and pole vaulter who considered herself lucky to just barely pass the mile run in gym class.

Visiting Katie in NYC

Most importantly are my personal relationships.  I am still best friends with the same three girls I met freshman year.  We have been through everything from typical high school drama, to going to different colleges, to living in different cities and countries, a wedding, two adorable babies, and all of our successes and failures.  I already know I have a very tough choice picking my maid (or matron) of honor whenever I get engaged.  I have lost friends, had failed relationships, and made horrible decisions in the past ten years, but without those failures, I would not be who I am today.  I have the most loving and supportive boyfriend who truly compliments who I am.  I cannot put into words how excited I am to see where our future takes us.  I am still very close with my family and miss my grandparents more and more each day.

Nikki's wedding day (2008)

Visiting Amanda in Colorado

Where will the next ten years take me?  That question cannot be answered.  I know where I hope it takes me but if I have learned anything in the last ten years, do not expect life to go as planned.  As the words to our class song remind me

Brad and I in Detroit 

It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right.  I hope you had the time of your life."  

Getting rid of the blanket

We all have security blankets in life.  It could be family and friends who you know will be there for you no matter what.  Your daily routine could provide a sense of security.  Perhaps it is a certain outfit that makes you feel you can take on the world.  Most of the time, these security blankets make us feel safe and provide comfort.  However, there can be times when these blankets start to feel uncomfortable.  It's almost as if a porcupine curled up in it and ran through a field of thorns.  You try and try to make it feel good again, but it will not work.  

For me, one of my security blankets has been having a stable job.  I took a chance last summer accepting a position that was different from being in the lab.  I knew there was a chance it would not work.  By early fall I began to realize I was meant to be in the lab and planned on making my current position work.  However, as time went on, it became more difficult to get excited and want to go in.  I told myself I had to make it work until the end of the year.  Unfortunately, I could not take anymore.  When you are on the verge of tears ever morning on your drive in, it is time to throw out the blanket.  Yesterday, I did just that.  I submitted my resignation without a backup plan.  

 

So here's to whatever the future has in store for me career wise!  Also, if anyone is in need of a research scientist, let me know!

What is one security blanket you had to give up?