I think ultimately this year has been exactly the length a year ought to be. Subjectively, that is. It was eventful, but not so long that i feel depressed about it and not so short that i feel terribly older than i did last year. I turned twenty-three this year. I just got my very own car insurance policy, marking my final baby step into adulthood and independence. At least that’s how i looked at it, for whatever reason. The end of the year is usually marked by a certain sadness for me, especially because of all the reflection it brings. But this year is definitely an exception. This year has been wonderful, despite a few difficulties along the way. Some really important things and people were lost, but it makes me all the more appreciative of what was found.
I began two-thousand-eight living in Ames with black hair and a job i was growing discontent with. The winter was long and cold, and there isn’t much else to say about it. The spring was a glorious relief, and saw me dancing, playing a lot of wii and going to a lot of big concerts – Jimmy Eat World, Foo Fighters, and Radiohead. I got laid off, and started looking for jobs all around the country. I managed to land one in Portland, which was my highest goal, but when i got there to check out apartments and such, i just couldn’t do it.
The summer was somewhat chaotic: more job hunting, the end of a relationship, a move to Des Moines, and the loss of a lot of artwork to the Iowa floods. I had to leave some friends, too, but reunited with or met for the first time a slew of others. I managed to miss the fireworks on the Fourth of July. Mom and i went traipsing randomly around Iowa and Wisconsin in August. I celebrated my birthday with some good old friends and was feeling pretty pleased with my new position in life as the summer ended.
In late September i met Nathan. On the very same day that my Grandma died. But that day to me felt more like the beginning of something big than the end, and judging by the way things have played out over the three months since, i know that what i felt that first day was genuine. We’ve been mostly inseparable since then, except for my expedition to Oregon for Dad’s wedding and then to California in October, and Nathan’s trip to Texas in November. Taking part in the election of Barack Obama for President was a huge moment of pride for me, as was running a race for the first time. The Fall was so gorgeous in so many ways, and even the snow now can’t blot out my gratitude.
The holidays this year were really nice, although it would have been even nicer if Grandma had been here to see them. I feel like we who remain in the family are a little closer now, and i don’t know whether it will last, but i’m enjoying it. It was great to see Dustin at Christmas and to go out on the town with him and Nina and Karl. I miss living down the street from those two, but I’ve gotten to see them several times since they moved, so i’m glad for that.
I saw my family a lot this year. That’s a big part of what made it wonderful. The friends i’ve made here in Des Moines were a really important part of it, too. And, of course, Nathan. Of course Nathan.
Some albums i acquired in 2008:
The best: it’s got to be So Jealous by Tegan and Sara, but i’m not entirely sure i didn’t get that one in ’07, so my second-fave is The End of History by Fionn Regan. I know neither of those were actually released in ’08. I’m pretty sure We Started Nothing by the Ting Tings is fantastic, but i only have four tracks of it so far.
Best song of the year goes to Spiraling by Keane, although Red Star by Third Eye Blind got put on repeat several times as well.
Some movies i saw in 2008:
And many others. The best: Be Kind Rewind, with a close second being The Fall. The worst was probably Zack and Miri. Funny, yeah, but the “romantic” scenes? They made me want to puke.
I’m having a hard time remembering books i’ve read this year. I read The Stranger and i’m almost done with Titus Groan, and i read bits and pieces of The End of Faith, Nothing, The Woman Who Can’t Forget, Sons and Lovers and probably others. I have a hard time staying focused.
I’m looking forward to getting back into running in 2009. I want to go faster this year. I may be making another move, and a trip to Texas. Other than that, i’m not really sure what lies ahead, but i’m definitely excited for whatever it is.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Wednesday, December 31st, 2008 11:39 am • life
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December 31st, 2008 at 11:52 am
Long year for you!
I feel like I have been 24 FOR. EV. ER. And I still have four months of it to go. Which is good. Like, “I’m still only 24? Rock!”
December 31st, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Yeah, definitely the year of change. I agree with you about Tegan and Sara. Great album!
December 31st, 2008 at 5:37 pm
“I began two-thousand-eight living in Ames with black hair and a job i was growing discontent with.”
Unless you and your job were tending an orchard of discontent trees, I think you meant “i was growing discontented with.”
Or better still, “with which i was growing discontented.”
January 1st, 2009 at 3:59 am
OH SNAP on that last comment! Good point, Anonymous! I was thinking the same thing, but you put it the perfect way! Take that, grammar queen!!!
Good blog, Steph. Thanks for the shout out. I had a great time with you, too.
January 1st, 2009 at 10:02 am
Beautiful Blog, Stef. You know, I wasn’t going to make any New Year’s Resolutions, but now that I have read your blog, I started to think. I was amazed by how well you remember your life. Then I thought maybe you just look back at previous blogs to help you remember. It makes me wish I could keep a blog so that I will remember the good things and the bad things. So maybe I’ll give it a try. Maybe I’ll compose my own New Year’s blog. It must be nice to remember things, lol.
PS- Thanks for missing me!
January 2nd, 2009 at 10:54 am
Hey, Big Bro, i never said i could dish it out but couldn’t take it! Thank you, Anonymous. I’m more than happy to be corrected.
Next time, though, have the balls to show yourself. And maybe say something nice (or at least pertinent to what i’m communicating to you) along with your correction.