When I was a teenager, every December 31st I compiled a list of highlights from the last twelve months. The list featured top songs, favorite reads, and significant milestones I'd experienced relating to school, love, friendships, and personal goals. This year's tally won't include Ace of Base, Ann M. Martin, or my first French, but no one said life was fair.
School
I graduated college for the second (and possibly last) time of my life. This is still weird for me, as the Intellectual part of myself still has longings for textbooks, classrooms, and blue-book final exams. But I'm the first family member to hold a master's degree, and I can suffix "MA" after my last name. Some people with fewer diplomas listed on their resume wrongly believe this makes me smarter. It doesn't. I'm just more in debt than they are.
I also have mixed feelings about pursuing my writing degree immediately after wrapping up undergrad. When I first began talks with my current boss about taking a job with the lab, he stressed that his interest in me had less to do with my credentials and more about the job experience I'd gained in my position at Saint Joe. Knowing this three and a half years ago would have saved me forty thousand dollars in loans, a couple of hundred bucks in ink cartridges, and precious VHS tape that can never be recovered. I'd have an extra five hundred smackers each month for paying off my car. Financing my wedding. Purchasing my first house. There are hard compromises to make when taking on such a huge financial commitment.
But I also have a sense of accomplishment for managing my time so efficiently (or at least enough to get by). I have something tangible that helps me to hold my own in the presence of older peers who think they can treat me like a little girl on her first day of kindergarten. And did I mention I can add a suffix after my last name? Total coolness.
Love 
I moved away from my boyfriend. I moved in with my boyfriend. I became engaged to my boyfriend. Wee for me!
I also learned it's not the end of the world to make decisions loved ones don't agree with. Living In Sin was not on my original list of things to do this year, nor was it an unfulfilled dream held by Mom and Dad on my behalf, but it turned out to be the best decision Luke and I could have made. That doesn't mean I think every couple and/or Mary Beth in Cincinnati and/or even you should do it. But I do think it's OK that it worked out for me.
Friendships
A tricky subject, as the majority of my relationships are maintained long-distance, and I haven't had an "everyday" gal pal for a long time. I miss that. There are certain things you can only do with a girlfriend. Eat ice cream in your sweatpants while watching Father of the Bride. Crochet blankets you'll never finish. Have your dinner covered by the restaurant's bus boys. You know, real bonding moments that weave together your very souls. In that respect, I truly feel a loss.
However, I've had wonderful, wonderful conversations courtesy of SBC, and I've been introduced to a number of fabulous individuals through the Internet. I've laughed and cried for women I may never meet in person, and I've seen new layers of those I've known for years. Amen for the world of personal publishing!
Personal Goals
On the surface, I've done great things. There was the landing a new job with great pay and even greater potential. Publishing an article about pee in a national magazine. Affording Prada (read: Pra.da.!) glasses, for cripe's sake. And yet, I'm still not passionate about what I do. It's the same problem I had at Saint Joe. I loved elements of my job, but I didn't love my job. I envy people like Samantha and Number Twelve, who make their living in fields perfectly suited for them. I sure as hell don't love sitting through weekly production meetings, filling out requisition forms, and hauling my @$$ out the door at ten to eight every morning. I'm also not crazy about being in a work environment for six months without making one real friend. Surely a change is in order. I just don't know what that change should be.
But I'll figure out. After all, I did survive scary car accidents, several bouts of Baby Fever, and countless incidents of sporting food on my person. That has to count for something.
Anyway, may your 2006 be filled with wine, spinach dip, a great support system, and endless good cheer. And possibly even suffixes.
Why must you always pick on Mary Beth? She has been having a tough time lately, and she tries so hard to make things work for her.
By the way, my word verification for today is "buddhltx," which is probably the closest it will ever be to "Buddha," and if that's not a piece of good karama, I don't know what is.
Posted by: Luke | December 30, 2005 at 11:47 AM
Happy New Year Frema! Here's to getting a new PREfix in 2006!
Posted by: Number Twelve | December 30, 2005 at 02:55 PM
Happy New Year, Frema! You have a lot to be proud of in 2005.
Posted by: Lisa | December 30, 2005 at 06:50 PM
The following comes from Ecclesiates: "Go, eat your bread with enjoyment, and drink your wine with a merry heart ... Enjoy life with the one whom you love... Whatever your hand finds to do, do with your might."
This is a biggest part of each day living.
Daddy D.
Posted by: Anonymous | December 30, 2005 at 10:08 PM
Dear sister-in-law-to-be, sounds like quite a year! If you really miss Ace of Base, though, I'm sure that 104.5 JACK-FM will play them once in a while.
Posted by: Matt | December 31, 2005 at 01:16 AM
Congratulations on that suffix-I'm just as in debt as you are and thinking about going back to school. Have a great 2006 and best wishes.
Posted by: butterflygirl | December 31, 2005 at 02:56 AM
But it is bad karma to misspell the word.
Posted by: Luke | December 31, 2005 at 04:02 AM
Sounds like you had a happy year sister, with lots to be proud of! I love you and look forward to more of your blog in 2006. Any resolutions this year??
Posted by: Sambo V. | December 31, 2005 at 04:25 PM
Happy New year Bre, I love you and enjoyed seeing you.oxoxoxo
Posted by: auntie betty | January 01, 2006 at 03:09 AM