End of the year thoughts...

Wow. Last day of the year. It hasn't quite ended the way I thought it would. I was hoping to be wrapped up in a man's arms kissing him at the drop of the ball. Yup. Forever a hopeless romantic. (Just don't tell anyone, I got a hardass reputation to uphold.) This year has been good for me though. I have gotten alot accomplished. I moved into a much better apartment, I spent 6 months at the station getting my coxswain qualification, took every test and step to advance, lost weight and got into shape (only then to gain all the weight back), reconciled with a family member I haven't seen in 15 years, been a shoulder to cry on and the list goes on.

You have to take the good with the bad. Yes of course there is always the bad. I spent too much money, isolated myself too much, bruised myself to high heaven (not intentional), been pushed down, kicked around, loved then to only have lost, failed at relationships (but at least I took the chance), drastically cut my hair, rear ended someone, got a dog only to end up giving back (dog was the spawn of satan on crack), and others. But from each and everything I learned from it and grew.

The letters in the 2011 all have a meaning for me. Its some of the more important things that 2011 has brought me.

2: This is a number off a life ring hanging on my wall. It's the life ring to the CG 25703. The boat I got my coxswain qualification on (well check ride at least). I smoked the board and check ride (except for a little hiccup while mooring, but lets not talk about that). This one is first for a very important reason. I have waited over 2 years to get this. My last unit squashed my career by not letting me get qualified. Long story short they didn't think I could do it. After going to the station here in Miami, I was able to get qualified in 3 months and 1 day. The shortest time the station has ever seen. It was the biggest accomplishment in my career so far. Because of this qual, I can finally advance.

0: This is a number from my apartment plaque outside my door. The first apartment I lived in really sucked. The town wasn't that bad, but the complex and the landlord really blew. After fighting back and forth with the landlord and getting legal involved, I was allowed to move out after 6 months. This new apartment rocks. It has its ups and downs, but all in all I really love it. It has a great view and I wanted to live on this street when I first started to look at apartments before I even moved down to Florida.

1: The first "1" is off of my unit ballcap. Of course now we can't wear unit ballcaps anymore (we have to wear a standard cap that everyone has). Its part of the hull number. I'm really blessed with this unit. They have given me every opportunity to advance in my career and have supported me in everything I have done. We as a whole get along so well. (haha famous last words)

1: The last "1" is from my Ohio State jersey. Its been a rough year for us Buckeyes. I did get to go to a game earlier in the year with a fellow Buckeye I met this year. I also have tickets to the last bowl game they will be in for a couple of years. They are banned for a while. Like I said its been a hard year. Lost a great coach, a couple of players, interim coach was very "slapable", gained a new coach for next year, lost to our biggest rivals (WTF!!!)....alot of ups and downs. But, we will make it past this and hold our heads up high and kick ass next year.


Well, this is only a little bit of my year. I pray that everyone will take a moment and reflect what this year has meant to them. I look forward to 2012 and the many adventures it brings. Wish me luck, I have a feeling I'm going to need it.