New Year, New Possilbilites, New Blog Posting

It's a new year with a promise to blog more often. I apologize for my absence from my blog in recent weeks. I blame the holidays and the rush involved there, but that is not a good enough excuse. So, I start fresh today on January 1 with a new entry and a new outlook on life.

2007 was a year of change, challenges and adjustments for me. I started my career as a journalist at the Oconomowoc Enterprise and soon moved up to the Waukesha Freeman. The pace of my work life changed drastically as I began to work second shift and had tighter deadlines, more pressure and so much to learn. I must admit, the final months of 2007 brought with them a lot of stress. It was a lot harder for me to adjust to second shift than I would have thought and a lot harder to balance work and relaxation. I feel that I am starting to finally get a handle on how to make the most of my time before work. I am better able to relax and get things done. That's a huge relief for me.

There were other areas of my life that were not where I wanted them to be in 2007, but I feel optimistic about the future. I don't think I have ever been so happy for a new year to begin. It began with Christmas and a feeling of renewal and rebirth for me as I celebrated that holiday, which is very special to me . During the Christmas season, I spend quality time with family and friends and get to show them how much I care, while also celebrating and recognizing the birth of Jesus. It's a very important week of my life and I was able to enjoy it and find meaning in the holiday season even as I was stressed at work and trying to get gifts bought and wrapped.

I look forward to 2008 with hope. I feel like I am walking from a beautiful, yet dark wooded forest into a meadow where the sun is shining and I can hear the birds singing. This may seem overly dramatic, but it's pretty accurate. I feel confident that no matter what comes my way I will have the strength and courage to handle it. I also feel strongly that I will be able find balance in my life and will be happier again.

2008 may have been one of the years I gained the most on a personal level and was able to learn more about myself and my capabilities.

I hope that 2008 holds promise of wonderful possibilities for all those who read this blog and for those who don't. May 2008 bring you much happiness, success, good health and positive energy.

Quote:

"In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer."

--Albert Camus

Merry Christmas!

I want to wish everyone a very blessed Christmas. May you be surrounded by loving family and friends and may their love warm your heart. I hope that this Christmas has a bit of magic in it for you and that you feel like a child. May it also provide meaning for your life and may you feel joyful.

Things have been very busy recently. I have been busy going to government offices, shopping and making trips into Seoul during the week. Also, I had to say goodbye to Aaron today as he left for Seattle. It was a tearful goodbye, despite knowing that we will probably see eachother in a month (hopefully). I knew that I would be sad, but this process of saying goodbye has been extremely difficult. This has been the saddest Christmas Eve of my life, but yet, the happiest. I have had an awesome time in Korea and I have learned how many wonderful people there are in my life. This experience has brought me closer to some people such as my grandma and my aunt Ellen. I have fallen in love with Aaron and we have become extremely close. I have made some wonderful new friends.

I will be setting out on a new adventure in a few days. I will get to make new friends, have new challenges and see all the familiar faces and places that I love.

It doesn't feel much like Christmas here in Korea on Christmas Eve; Seoul has been especially crowded with shoppers, but nearly every business is open and many will be open on Christmas day, as well. Tonight, Paul, Kristina, Lisa and I got dinner at an Indian restaurant in the neighborhood. Shortly, we will watch "Ziggy's Gift" and play games. Tomorrow, Paul and I will play games and watch Christmas movies while Kristina and Lisa go into Seoul. Paul and I are really into Christmas, while Lisa and Kristina are kind of indifferent. We will all go to a Western-style restaurant/bar for a dinner buffet.

My apartment is feeling cozy with its lights and little tree. The place that has felt most Christmasy to me has been Starbucks with its hot drinks, Christmas music and warm atmosphere. I have been drinking many coffees there recently.

Unfortunately, my heart is feeling quite heavy at the moment. I wish that Aaron was here with me, but I am happy that he will be with his family for the first time in five years for Christmas.

I hope that you all have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Quote:

"Love until it hurts."

--Mother Theresa

"Love that ends is the shadow of love; true love is without beginning or end."

--Hazrat Inayat Khan

"In the shadow of his hand hath he hid me."

--Isaiah 49:2