Notable things that happened this year
I graduated from college, magna cum laude :)
got engaged
went to Isle Royale for the first time
went to california for 10 days with Green Creek Wildlife Society
got to present my research at the national wildlife society conference in hawaii
spent a good chunk of the summer in Houghton
bought my first car, which didn't go super well, but it's something
worked at least 25 hours/week for all but 8 weeks of the year!
got my job in Hawaii
made a lot of new friends and renewed many old friendships
moved to a new house, which was totally better then the old one
went to Whitefish Point Bird Observatory for the first time
received my ranger and silver venturing awards
applied for a NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
it's been quite the year
This is also the year I lost my Uncle David, wasn't always successful in balancing school/work and life and had a rather large reality check regarding a few friends whom I don't really talk to anymore.
Overall it has been a fantastic year, great new experiences. I got to travel quite a bit which I greatly enjoy, learned a lot about balancing personal life versus work and professional aspects. I have Jon to thank for that one, he is really good at helping me put things in perspective and realize that sometimes it's ok to not do everything.
I also learned a lot this year about priorities, and how they differ between people. Often this isn't a bad thing, but I spent a lot of time this year trying to better understand peoples priorities so that i can beter understand their actions and intentions. There are still several people I know who's priorities baffle my mind, but for most once I try to put myself into their shoes I am much better able to work with them. the following quote has been my constant companion this year
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle
Trying to remember this every time I get frustrated when people don't understand me or things don't go as planned has been very humbling and refreshing. I know I struggle with many things all the time and it's not fair to assume that everyone else is having a perfect day, we all make mistakes, misspeak and fall on our faces....or at least I do all the time :)
This next year is largely unknown, more so then usual since a lot of my life tends to be rather spur of the moment to a degree. I'll be working in Hawaii January 30 - June 5th incase you haven't heard yet. Then I'm getting married, Jon and I set August 11th as the date :) (yes August 11, 2012). Other then that, nothing is for sure.
Probably graduate school in the fall, not sure where yet (I'm procrastinating applications while writing this post actually), not sure what Jon will be up to but I know it will end up being something fantastic :)
The unknown is scary, but having at least the next few months worked out keeps me from being to nervous, I've got faith that the doors that need to open will, and if they don't, I'll find a window and beat it in :)
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