In comparison to 2008, 2009 was awful! The one thing I can think of that 2009 had over 2008 was that I read more than double the books I read in 2008. I’m anticipating the fresh feel of a new year that is 2010. In the meantime, here’s a review of how my year has gone with heavier emphasis on my blessings verses my misfortunes.
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January 2009
- Celebrated New Years with Alan and his friends.
- I worked a lot. Logged a lot of hours.
- Saw one of my favorite movies of the year, Slumdog Millionaire.
- Kim sent me Tiff’s Treats at work to cheer me up about something.
Celebrating New Year’s with the boyfriend
February 2009
- Alan took me to my third Killer’s concert as a Christmas gift.
- Tried out Joe Dimaggio’s for the first of three times this year. Went as a Valentine’s date with Alan.
- Got flowers from Alan at work.
- Alan, his roommate, and I all played Bingo for the first time.
- I worked a lot. Logged a lot of hours.
Alan and I at the Killer’s Concert
March 2009
- I worked a lot. Logged a lot of hours.
- Went to my first rodeo with some work friends and Brandi.
- Ate at Mighty Fine for the first time, now my favorite burger joint of the year.
- Celebrated Brandi’s birthday at Pete’s Dueling Pianos.
Rodeo, Austin, TX
April 2009
- Went to Houston for my daddy’s birthday.
- I worked a lot. Logged a lot of hours.
- Was supposed to be Jamie’s date for a wedding. We got lost in West Austin and ended up exploring Salado, Texas instead.
- Celebrated Selina’s birthday at her house on same day Jamie and I almost went to that wedding.
Selina’s Birthday
May
- Worked a lot; logged a lot of hours.
- Visited San Francisco for the first time and went with Alan. It was our first vacation together and we ate very very well.
- Put in notice at my Clincial Research Job and thus ending that career path (for now at least?)
- I finished out May working at that job and I stopped logging too many hours.
- Celebrated Sae’s graduation from Law School.
- Kim visited from Houston for Memorial Day Weekend.
- Katambra introduced me to a snowcone stand that I frequented often in the summer.
- Saw Star Trek in IMAX, was surprised to love it.
Celebrating Sae’s law school graduation
June 2009
- Ate at a lot of happy hours with old coworkers, with Alan, Sae, and his girlfriend with new free time.
- I took a certification class to become a teacher
- I went to Houston for Father’s Day
- Kim and I tried out Feast, voted best new restaurant in Houston by a handful of magazines.
- I saw Thomas in Houston and we ate at Fufu’s.
- Went on a lot of double dates with Sae and Young. (Here’s our first time at North)
Cindy and me at Grand Lux Cafe in Houston
July
- Celebrated Fourth of July with Brandi and her boyfriend at Zilker Park..
- Went on a lot of double dates with Sae and Young.
- Went to Houston for my mom’s birthday.
- Saw Cindy in Houston and we ate at Classic Kitchen.
- Kim and I discovered Hugo’s, hands down my favorite restaurant in 2009.
- Moved in with my current roommate, and long time friend, Brandi.
- Celebrated my birthday with tons of great people at Trailer Park Eatery.
- At one point, had 4 bouquets of flowers delivered at our apartment and they were all to me from different people. Felt very loved.
- I took and passed my state certification test to become a middle school teacher for science.
Brandi and me on Fourth of July
August
- The first two weeks of August, I tried to squeeze in as much time as I can with Alan because he was about to leave for Korea for up to 4.5 months.
- Starting, August 16, I started counting days Alan was gone.
- Kim came to visit the weekend of the 22nd and we saw Wicked.
- I saw 500 Days of Summer three times this month, in theatre, of course. This is the first movie I’ve done that.
- Jon visited from NYC.
- I got a part-time, part-time (yes you read that right) job, thanks to Brittany dropping a good word for me.
Alan’s last night out with friends before going to Korea.
September
- Hosted the first Alphabet pot luck. We started with the letter P.
- Wrote a blog entry about my journals, surprisingly my favorite blog entry of the year.
- Friends and I got dressed up for Deesh’s brother’s wedding reception.
- Visited Mary Ellen for a long weekend in Boston. First time I’ve gone to see her since 2005. Had best breakfast ever at Mike and Patty’s and most interesting hot pot.
- Alan surprised me by coming home from Korea early.
- Went out for Selina’s Bachelorette Party.
October
- Celebrated Alan’s birthday at Joe Dimaggio’s. Was very happy to have him back in Texas and to be able to celebrate his birthday with him and take him as a date to weddings. He had good timing :)
- Stood in Selina & Ryan’s Wedding and witnessed strong love.
- Realised I don’t really want to be a teacher.
- Threw 2nd Alphabet Potluck.
- Dressed up as a cow girl for Halloween.
November
- Went to Wurst Fest with friends.
- Went to Cathedral of Junk for the first time with Brandi.
- Texas Renaissance with Jessica and Brandi
- Had a wonderful Thanksgiving in Houston where I reunited with people I don’t normally see! (Willis, Thomas, Kim, Shane, Kelvin, Chris, Aishah, Kym, Hillary, Alex)
- Had my second progressive meal this year.
Having hot chocolate at Ren Fest.
December
- I started my new full time job and kept my part time night job.
- I struggled with what it means to be someone’s family.
- I struggled with what it means to be someone’s friend.
- I made truffles for the first time!
- Saw Avatar in IMAX opening night. Awesome.
- Attended and witnessed proudly, Bing graduate from college
- Attended annual Christmas Party for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of America with my little and her family.
- Jennifer from Philly is in town and I introduced her to Teucsher.
- I went home to Houston for Christmas break and was able to see Mary Ellen, Aishah, Pinky, Cindy, and Kim of course my lovely family.
- Had hot pot on Christmas day twice. Lunch with Mary Ellen and her mom and dinner with my own family. Hot potted out! (Blog entry to come.)
- Released balloons 4 days early as part of a New Year’s Tradition with Kim. (Blog entry to come.)
- Tonight, most likely will be going downtown for New Year’s and spending it with Alan.
After party in the car.
I’m a blessed girl. Instinctively, I’d tell you my 2009 was pretty awful but when I write it all out like this and focused on the good rather than the bad, I can see now I’m still quite lucky. Farewell, 2009.