Year in Review

"Oliver, this is your life.  It doesn't wait for you to get back on your feet."
--A Lot Like Love

This year goes along with my pursuit of happiness from 2011, but in a very different chapter, where I've been consistent with jobs, set a level of goals and attempted to keep my finances strong.  I'm living in a different apartment with my other sister now, and I thought I would've hated being broke in the city... but in the end it's made me stronger and wiser and more appreciative of the things I've had.

2012 would've been a terrible year in the eyes of someone else, because frankly... my art hasn't left my bedroom, I've failed to find a full-time job with benefits, and my love life has been close to non existent.

On the other hand:

-JAPAN.  After three years of studying Japanese and telling myself that it was too expensive to go, I traveled with a guy I'd coincidentally met on a first date.  We were just friends, and I remember him telling me that he was so glad I ended up going to Japan as a travelling buddy.  It was like living someone else's dream, and even though I couldn't see myself living in Japan, I'll take this memory of the trip as something I pushed myself to do in spite of my financial situation.  =)

-SECOND CITY.  I'm still working there, still part time, but the opportunities I've had while being there have really been worth the mean customers and heavy-lifting.  I now do sales and merchandise, I have eligible benefits and vacation days, and I've made a fan-comic of the show that has taken my artistic abilities to another level.  =)  It's made me feel really good about being an artist.

-CHICAGO MARATHON.  I ran it.  After a full summer of training in the heat and asking for donations for my Girls on the Run charity, I'm proud to say that I completed something only 1% of the entire world has done.  It's made me into a Zen runner, where when I run I feel at peace and can only think of the goodness in my life.  I hope to run another marathon at some point, because running has now become a part of me.  =)

I'm still blessed to have a great family, good health, and my constant desire for creativity that will keep me going next year.  For 2013, I will continue to do art and writing, I plan to cook more, and I hope to be true to myself and continue with this desire for knowledge and travel.  =P