A Look Back at 2010

We've all had one of those days. You know what I'm talking about. Those, I hate my life, self-deprecating attitude, woe is me, wah wah wah days. And I also know that it's the holidays, so I should be happy and merry and blah blah blah. Nevertheless, today I had one of those days. 


I'm not sharing this for a pity party, unless you want to throw me a party, in which case I like devil's food cake with cream cheese frosting and white wine, but because it's really caused me to think. After spending nearly a week at home with my parents, coming home to my empty apartment in a town I still don't quite know that I like, just didn't feel right. To be completely honest, the thought of driving to Madison when I leave Green Bay to go "home" still feels completely foreign to me. I'm pretty sure my car wants to go on autopilot straight down Hwy . 43 to Milwaukee to exit on 94, drive past Miller Park, and take that double exit toward Brookfield and head right into Waukesha. However, there's quite a hiccup there. I no longer live in Waukesha. 


I've got to make peace with the fact that I am really quite "homeless." Now, I have a lovely apartment and I really do enjoy it, but I don't feel like I have a place that I live where I can truly be at home. That got me to thinking that maybe I need to fix that in the new year. That thought meant that I really need to change my down in the dumps attitude. In truth, it doesn't suit me well and was starting to annoy even myself. I was trying to think of something positive about living here, and while the juries still out on that particular thought, I did start to think of all the good things I have going for me. There are a lot, but sometimes I lose a little perspective. 

So with the goal of gaining a little perspective and getting my act together to enjoy the rest of my winter break,  here are some great things that happened to me in 2010. I've included words and pictures for your reading pleasure. 

I student taught at two great schools and learned a TON about what it takes to be a teacher. 

I started drinking beer! A major accomplishment for my stomach and my wallet.

I saw Phil Vassar in concert THREE times! Can't wait for this summer. 

Made the very first food trip to Ohio and Chicago. We ate awesome food, saw great places, and met new people. Like my new friend Dave! 

It was the 2nd Annual Zoo and Booze. Sadly the best picture I had of the whole event was of our lunch. 

I babysat for my two little buddies-Alden and Caiden. I also learned not to call Alden "porkchop" because "He's a TIGER!"

It was a family reunion year. We all had to wear the same colors, but Team Carole took it one step further with matching yellow shirts. Uncle Danny and Amanda visited as well, which is always a big deal. 

I was a bridesmaid for the first time in my cousin Julie's wedding. Don't Chris and I look snazzy?

My brother surprised me and came to my graduation from Carroll. -- I couldn't find the pictures from that, but the wedding was the same weekend. and we look much better here anyway. 

Wedding No. 2-Lindsey's wedding. We were affectionately know as "that table" and "the wild table." Definitely fitting of this motley crew. 

Made a few visits to Illinois. This one was for Sara's 25th Birthday. 

I got a job. My amazing 135 students have taught me that even when you're 12, the Lorax might be the coolest guy ever. 

I cut 11 inches off my hair to donate to Locks of Love. 

Spent time with another few friends for their 25th birthdays. Aren't we cute? 

All in all, despite a lot of changes, 2010 was a pretty spectacular year. 2011 can only have better things in store right? Well, that is once I put my big girl pants back on and go make it happen. 

Expect the Unexpected

The Christmas season is upon us, and for me that typically means I have one thing in which to look forward. Lots of time to spend with friends and family. This year in particular, I can't wait to spend time with my family. My brother joined the Air Force last year, and he wasn't home for Christmas. Being that there are only two of us in our family, when one sibling isn't there for a holiday it definitely feels wrong. All that is different this year though because my brother is home. Quite literally just arrived at my parents house and surprised my mom. Her gasping scream over the phone when he walked in the door made me feel like I was there with them. 


There's a downside to all of this though. This afternoon he called to tell me that his three week leave has been cut short. When he was driving through Chicago he got a call to tell him he needs to report to work on Monday morning. He's being deployed to Korea. Needless to say, I was more than shocked to find out the week I was to spend with my brother has now been cut short to only four days. 


It seems that far too often I'm blindsided by the unexpected events in life. I'm pretty sure for me 2010 was nothing but unexpected surprises. But there is something beautiful in that too. My favorite quote is "Life is not measured in the numbers of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away." I try to remember that and know that everything happens for a reason. So far in life, I can honestly say that I truly believe that. 2010 alone has brought some very meaningful changes to my life. 


I started out the year student teaching and working at Applebees. Though the job was a pain and in general made me pretty grumpy and hate life, I met some amazing people. I had some incredible coworkers to laugh and joke with and met some amazing customers. Like Regular Joe from Vegas, who would come in an b.s. with me while he would eat his lunch and drink an ice tea; Dave and Carol, whose order I had memorized and always wanted to know what was happening in my life; Rick, who was great company, an amazing tipper, and always there with an off color joke; or the man, who through a variety of small talk, I discovered grew up in the same neighborhood as my father. In addition, though I wouldn't have realized it, I've learned some very valuable skills that apply to teaching. As a lunch supervisor, I have no issue watching sixth graders eat, which is incredibly disgusting by the way. I can go all day without going to the bathroom because seriously, who has the time? And, I don't mind repeating myself all day. Ok, that's a lie, I do mind, but it doesn't bother me as much as it would have two years ago. 


My student teaching experiences were awesome, and ultimately led me to get the position I hold today. That was probably the most shocking turn of events in 2010. Getting a teaching job, and having to move to a completely different part of the state with about a split second to consider the entire decision was by far one of the most unbelievable things I've done. It's not as though I really had much choice in the matter. Staying at the bee and working for a barely minimum wage job as a server/bartender or getting a full time job where someone was going to give me a salary and benefits to do something I love. Not much room to choose. I'm definitely still adjusting to living in a new place without my very tightly knit and carefully crafted support system with me and within reach at all times. However, I know that in the end this was definitely the best thing that I could have done all year--also the most life changing. 


Though I've often said it, I think this year has been the first time I've ever really lived the idea of things happening for a reason. I've met people that have touched me. I've dated people who have not only broken me down but also lifted me up. People who have been in my life to support me at just the right times, and then let me go when I was strong enough to support myself. I've taken risks and made mistakes. I've closed my eyes and jumped when I wasn't sure what was below me. I've realized who my true friends are and which ones I can let go. I can only hope that the next year provides as many amazing opportunities as this one. I really do enjoy the surprises. After all, the best thing to expect is the unexpected. That way you're never disappointed.