Happy New Year! Thoughts to Rambles...

I'm not the resolution type of gal so I figured out that instead of making a list (as if I would have the discipline to make a real list!) I would jot down random thoughts about my 2006 life and what I would change/make better, or not change at all/strive to do again.

FAMILY & FRIENDS

• Make more time for the people (and dogs and cats!) that I care about.
  
  I need to keep on the path of change that I started in '06 and continue to make time for those I care about. I'm reminded that time is precious and one day the people who keep me going are not always going to be around. Not to be depressing or pessimistic, but several of my relatives and a couple of my friends have had health issues this year. This is not a premonition or anything, it's just a small reminder that my sources of energy, optimism and strength need to be cherished as we're all mortal.
  
• Not stress the things that are done by backstabbers or hurters...
  
  Much easier said than done. Last year and in '05 a few people that I thought were my friends, did some eally shitty things to me and confessed about some trifling crap. Although I don't feel as hurt, I still feel anger at times about being taken advantage of. I need to move past these feelings. That's why the first item of being around only positive people who are true friends, is the most important goal.
  The kicker? I have to find a way to forgive. The downer? I'm not big on forgive and forget. I may forgive but I have a hard time forgetting...

GOT TO HAVE A J-O-B (if you wanna be with me! 80s fans may remember this hook!)

• Take risks.
  
  This is one I need to continue doing/strive to do again. My risks at the end of '05 and throughout this year revolved around jobs. In '05 I left a comfy yet stifling workplace for a shot at a career at a company that was undergoing a merger. With a friend's referral I got the job and loved it despite the possibility of a layoff due to the merger. However, I gew to despise my boss for a long list of reasons and left, partly because of my boss and mostly due to concern that I would be blamed for some serious flaws with our projects that I couldn't get her to addres. The kicker? I ended up with a permanent job after the merger. The downer? I chose to leave knowing that I may be giving up one of the best jobs I ever had.
  
  The kicker? I ended up working at the second worse job of my entire life! I suffered through 8 months of dreading going to work and having headaches and other physical symptoms. So, I quit. Yup, just up and left (professionally). Now, I'm at a workplace that isn't perfect but at least my boss is cool, he's smart and my coworkers and I all get along. We love what we do and when something critical had to be accomplished in an unreasonable amount of time, we all pitched in and got it done. So, the commute etc may not be perfect, but hey, it's damn near close.

LIFE, or something like it!

• Enjoy life and the various aspects of living without racing to "an end" of some kind! :-)
  
  For all of my undergrad years, I felt like I was in a race to the finish. I started college later than most and was often reminded of not having my college degree in my job searches and casual converations with colleagues who attended college right out of high school, top name colleges, etc. While I don't think many of these former coworker clowns could write or use logic to get themselves of a simple cardboard box, they had the credentials that I was still struggling to obtain. So, I felt like I had to have a certain GPA to compete. Well, I finished college in 4 years while working fulltime and not to brag, but I graduated with honors! Now I'm attending grad school and don't feel as if I have to rush as much since I'm not competing anymore.
  
  The point? I'm not killing myself to get my degree in a specific timeframe. The kicker? I really enjoy learning (not math!) The downer? School is expensive and takes a lot of time. But, if you have a goal in mind, go for it!
  
• Try to stick to my goals from '05 and finish my short stories and other projects I keep thinking about.

That's the whole point of my rambles here. If you have a goal, then go for it! This is a new year and a good time as any to think about what is going well, what isn't going well and what you want to accomplish or be known for. If someone happens to stumble across my blog and reads my random thoughts, happy new year to you and may you and your loved ones have a wonderful, healthy year in 2007!!