I'm not feeling anything special. It just feels like an ordinary day, even though 2014 just ended, something that normally makes me euphoric about the year ahead. I guess if I'm feeling anything, it's that I'm glad the year is over. It has not been the best year, especially towards the latter months.
I did have lots of incredible, unforgettable experiences. I've been to lots of new places. I've returned to some of the best places I've already been to. I've met new people who I now consider friends. I've remained good friends with the old bunch.
It's just that the past year has been taxing mentally and emotionally. I'd like to think I did good in my job as a wildlife researcher, even with the slip-ups and laziness sometimes. But there was that issue with the funding of the project I've been working on, causing it to be suspended, and forcing my higher ups to give up some people. (Familiar with PNoy's DAP? Yep, our project's funding was from that.) I'm lucky enough to have been chosen as one of the few who got transferred to other projects. Now I'm working on a similar project with a slightly lighter workload, but which demands more time away and in the field.
Towards the final quarter of the past year, I finally did what I though I needed for a long time. I broke up with my partner for a little more than two years, for the same problem that has plagued our relationship since about a year and a half ago. I finally found the courage to stand up for myself, and while I was not particularly hopeful about the long-term, I had hoped we'd end up back together once he realizes the reason why I left. The following month and a half had been the most emotionally draining ones in my life. But in the end, we got back together. We have decided to try bringing back what we had, and leave our relationship baggage behind. From where we stand right now, I only see good things ahead.
I'm looking at 2015 hopeful. I have lots of plans for personal and professional growth. I intend on keeping tabs on my finances. I intend to lose excess weight and be fitter by going to the gym. I intend to be more responsible career-wise. I intend to take the first steps toward progressing professionally as a biologist. I intend to rebuild my relationship with my partner and make it better than it has ever been. I intend to maintain this blog as an emotional outlet and as a mental exercise. Most importantly I intend to remain positive and hopeful, things I have failed to become this past year. Here's to hoping my 23rd year in this wonderful, beautiful universe makes everything that has led to me being where I am all worth it.
