Since I have the time, I guess I’ll do one of these entries after all. Won’t be a month-by-month play as I’ve done in years past because honestly there’s a whole lot of blurring this year. But still, I think I can give a fair assessment of the year.

I will say honestly that my 2008 was decent. Some big ups and downs, but I am definitely in a better place now than I was a year ago. I’m happy, I’m employed, my finances are okay, and I’m both loved and love someone.

Highlight of the Year

By far, this is our trip to the UK. From the sheer fact that I was in another country, seeing another culture, sharing it with my husband, and just having a blast. Seeing David Tennant and Patrick Stewart at the RSC may have been the catalyst to book the vacation, but in no way was the only high point of that trip. We had an absolute blast on our honeymoon. No regrets whatsoever (aside from perhaps better shoes to walk in), and I know both of us have commented several times that we miss places we went to over there. It’s so strange that a place we only visited for a brief two weeks is already so dear to our hearts.

I will go back. I know I will.

Low Point of the Year

For me personally, it was throwing my back out in May, and the weeks of severe pain and fear (that it wouldn’t heal by our honeymoon) that followed. I have never felt such agony before, nor have I ever felt so humiliated as I did those six weeks of walking horrifically slowly between South Station and my office, having to sit down at least twice in that short four block span. It’s bad enough to have people glare at you for being obese (and they do). It’s even worse when they give you a sneer because you’re both obese and having to sit down because you’re physically unable to walk down the street normally – but of course don’t look like there’s anything wrong with you. Yay.

Reconnections

I’ve connected up with a lot of old classmates and marching band/sorority buddies via Facebook. It’s funny when you catch up with someone you went to elementary school with, who you haven’t talked with for fifteen years. I’m still working on reconnecting with my dad. That will probably continue to develop slowly – and carefully.

De-connections

Offline friends? None this year.

Online, I had to make some hard choices earlier this year. A fear to post my unpopular opinion regarding Who led to a reinforcement of why I was afraid to post opinions when I was semi-publically flogged in a journal entry by someone else. More b.s. followed, and I called it quits. Not worth it, and I’ve become much more careful about who I’m welcoming into my circle of friends these days, sad but true. On occasion, I doubt – did I do the right thing? Occasionally, I see their comments in other entries, but I don’t dare respond to any of them. I do miss their more enjoyable entries. But overall, I’m glad the connections are gone. I’ve learned to love LJ again, and the cons of those connections were far larger than the pros. The hypocrisy was just stupid.

Health

Is so-so. My thirties are catching up to me. On deck for 2009 is to get to the doctor for my blood pressure, which is sitting on the lower level for hypertension. My back is still twingy. I’m far too heavy, and need to start working on attempting to lose weight… again.

But I’m able to get up and get to work and get through most days feeling at least okay. So really, I’m fine.

Wealth

We’re doing okay. Erich’s Mom’s estate was settled this year. We sold his grandfather’s house, with much nailbiting before it closed. The house in Maine was refinanced to help Erich and his uncle be protected from his dad’s impending bankruptcy filing.

The house sale helped Erich whittle down his credit cards. More careful spending has helped me with mine.

So I think we’re in far better shape this year. I am worried about the economy, but at least I think both Erich and I have done what we can do short-term to protect ourselves.

Wisdom

Heh… i can has?

I dunno. I’ve learned some things. I’ve forgotten others. What makes people wise?

Faith

I have come to terms with the fact that connections are not what I thought they were. I am sad at the loss of my connection to Her, but at the same time – I don’t feel the desire to go through the pain involved to reconnect, based on my experiences during my Walkabout.

So I move on. And I have focused on things in my control, and within a scope that I feel able to do. I would say I’m spiritual at this point, but religious? Not at present. I have not sat ritual for about a year now. And I don’t regret going against what I know I was “supposed” to do during Walkabout this year.

I continue to wander. And I’ll find positives in my wandering, I suppose. I hope.

Do I still believe in Her? Yes. But I know She does not in me. It hurts, but it is what it is.

Happiness

Definitely happy, and grasping onto that happiness as tightly as I can. I’ve had far too many years where I haven’t been. I know when to treasure it.

Hopes for 2009

I don’t make any resolutions because I know I will break them. But hopes, I will state.

I hope to finally get some serious work done on our house – whether peeling wallpaper and painting, or doing something with the outside of the house, or beginning the window replacement project… something to start working on our house. We’ve had excuses the past couple years – first the wedding, then saving all money for the honeymoon.

Now, it’s time to get to work and make this house ours. And I seriously can’t wait.

I hope to do some satisfying writing this year – whether fanfic or original fiction or blogging or whatever… I want to write. I want to enjoy writing. And I want to complete some writing.

I hope to get back to stitching, and to complete at least one of my bigger projects. Ivanna’s Wedding Sampler, perhaps? Getting it to her by her 4th anniversary might be a good plan. *sigh*

I hope to find a couple of little Mom ‘n Pop food places here in RI – those places you love going to on the weekends that are nice and cozy.

And I hope to continue to be surrounded by family and good friends. Because they really are what makes life enjoyable.

And I am blessed.