Goodbye 2009 (and an update)

A lot has happened in 2009. I spent most of it in a relationship with someone I hoped was my other half. I went from being an underpaid, over-worked grad assistant to being a decently paid (yet still over-worked) full-timer. After many years of patiently waiting, I have a dog in my life again. And I ended it a single dog-mommy.

Yes, a single dog-mommy.

What can I say? Sometimes things don't work out the way we hope they will. Yes, I'm doing fine. I suppose I've been more relieved than anything else, although I occasionally wonder if it has actually set in.

I headed to my Mom's in Minnesota for Christmas. I was glad that I was able to do that a mere 2 and a half weeks after my disengagement. I got a couple good bonding days with my Mom before the rest of the family arrived. Partially out of fear that it would be the last holiday with the grandparents, my mom's siblings and several cousins decided to make the trek up for the holidays. It was great to see everyone. Although...I'd be lying if I didn't spend part of it annoyed; I suppose there's a reason I don't see my extended family all that often. All in all it was a good trip and was much-needed. My Mom has fully embraced Hank as her grand-dog, and I think was actually sad to see him (and I) leave. He did really well hanging out in Mom's basement and got to meet the family as well. I did have to laugh, though, because Hank kept finding himself excited, then overwhelmed by all the smells outside. The deer, fox, squirrels, and birds that track around Mom's yard left trails everywhere

I attempted to see some friends in Iowa City on New Year's Eve, as I stopped through for a quick visit on my way back to Michigan. However, driving 8 hours from Mom's and then trying to go out proved rather difficult. I didn't get to spend a whole lot of time with anyone, or that many folks either. I'll be planning a trip back sometime soon. I need a little Iowa City time.

Tomorrow I'm back to work. Soon I'll be completing the "report" of my time and happenings in my job thus far that may or may not result in a permanent full-time position. As things stand now, I am unemployed at the end of June. No worries, however. I've got a couple job leads and other jobs will soon be posted. I think ultimately, I'd rather not stay here for more than another year and a half, and would really like to look at moving back to the other side of the Lake (Iowa/Minnesota/Wisconsin). I think I've been away from family long enough. And, lets be honest, I never really wanted to stay in this godforsaken state for this long anyway. I suppose we'll see what happens. Atheist or not, I figure that "the way" tends to be shown, even if its just because things generally work out when you've got your shit together. Amazing, huh? Me, having my shit together? I suppose it had to happen eventually.

But yes, all is well. I leave you with a picture of Hank hanging out at my mom's.