Day 31: Grateful

In the chronicle of years in my life, this one ranks up there as a doozy. I was going to do a whiny, poor-poor-me rundown, but I woke up this morning and realized that would yield very little and what I should be--as corny as it's going to sound--is grateful.

So, here's my review with an effort at gratitude thrown in.

In January, it was a new year and I was working on new skills. I'd written several grants and was working on a grant proposal to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. I was also working with a great committee on our annual gala fundraiser and really having fun.

In February, we held our gala fundraiser and it was a huge hit! We sold significantly more tables and raised more money than we had in galas past. At the end of the night, my boss told me, "You rock!" and that felt good! I also bought my first house.

In March, my grandfather passed away and though I was sad, it was also an opportunity to reflect about the places I grew up. I got laid off in March, which was no fun, but I learned I'm tedious to work with (or perhaps just plain tedious.) I took it as a compliment and felt sorry for the person who told me that.

In May, I was off to Utah for my grandpa's funeral and a family reunion with cousins and aunt and uncles--some of whom I hadn't seen in almost 20 years! We had a lot of laughs and built some good memories. I hope it isn't another 20 years before we see each other again.

In July, I was in California for my best friend's wedding. It was a glorious affair: the bride was beautiful, the groom was dapper, the friends were many, and the setting was divine. Okay--it was hot as hell, but that didn't matter in the grand scheme of things. We had a ball! And I had my very first pedicure!

In August, I discovered that if you get up at 3:30 a.m., you can be in Rehoboth, Delaware, in time to watch the sunrise. If you're from the West Coast, you just have to think of it as a sunset in rewind! I also interviewed for a position as a managing editor. I'd still love to have that job, but I've got to learn about helicopters first.

In October, I attended a wonderful conference in Savannah, Georgia, where I learned some of the ins-and-outs of corporate environmental policy making.

In November, I started working as a consultant for a non-profit in Pennsylvania on their fund development efforts. I'm hoping that will go well. And, I accepted a freelance position as a content and book development editor. It doesn't pay a lot up front, but it has potential and will look good on my resume.

In December, it was the holiday season and nothing but good can come out of that. I added several new albums to my Christmas collection, scored points for the best gift ever (not that it was about the points, mind you), spent time with friends and their families, as well as friends in my family, and learned many interesting things about the Peace Corps.

Even though I'm still unemployed, I am, nonetheless, grateful for good friends and family, good health, and good sense. I look forward to 2007 and a good job, perhaps even in a new place.

Happy New Year, friends!

Photo copyright: Origins Photography, U.K.