2008 < 2009

It isn't a secret that 2008 kicked my ass all over this side of the state. Literally. I was eating lunch with Amanda at McDonalds on New Years Eve and I realized I could pinpoint something bad that happened to me personally in every month of 2008. Don't get me wrong, good stuff did happen. I graduated from college. I felt the love and support of my family and close friends. I discovered "Gossip Girl". But when the clock turned midnight on New Years Eve, I don't think there was a more relieved person in all of Brookings. I teared up in that minute afterwards and when my cell phone buzzed in with a text message from the one person I never thought would still be in my life 365 days ago... Let's just say this year is already off to a 100% better start.

A lot of my optimism for almost everything in my life was squashed over the course of 2008. The cynic in me, the cynic that grew up in Aberdeen and was left in Aberdeen five years ago, came back full force this year. I know 2009 will not be a smooth start. It probably won't be smooth sailing for some time yet. But the optimist is starting to show up, here and there. And until she's back all the time, my faith in her return will always keep me going.

Happy 2009. May it be a little easier for all of us.