one800higgins.com

Captain’s Log: A Year in Review

This has been a different year for me, a great year. 2011 has been a year for a lot of firsts, a lot of big changes, and a lot of positive things.

On love. Most notably, at least in my mind, I have spent the entire year of 2011 as a “single” man, whatever that means. This is the first item on my list as I haven’t been single for more than a few months at a time since I started dating. Period. However, ditching labels, cares, and obligations while placing hormones on a back-burner has made room for great friendships and a lot of focus being moved to more important things. Don’t worry though, I never cut sex out of my life… Just the other frustrations.

On work. This past year has been satisfactory on the job front. I took a promotion early on that landed me in a position that I’m actually happy with. I could be making more money or doing something that fits me better, but for now I am exactly content. I am precisely in the job I need to be in at this moment in time, which is a rare feeling for me. How long will that last? We’ll let the new year decide that for me.

On school. A strong spring semester followed by a summer off. A fall semester riddled with a lack of interest and a few B’s as a result. The point is that I filed for graduation in the spring and with 4 simple classes left, I’m stoked. Now to figure out what I want to do next fall. Hmmm…

On finance. I’ve made a handful of financial leaps in the past year, stemming from the past 3 years of hard work. I’m now in a great house - albeit with its landlord based quirks - in a great neighborhood, driving a new car I’m happy with, getting paid to go to school, and building a small savings account. Again, I could be making more - and I hope to soon - but I’m in a place now that I never would have anticipated years ago. I’m a very material person, and this year has been great for inflating my material surroundings. I have a feeling that 2012 will be more about cutting back and building a base for 2013 and beyond.

On adventure. Last but certainly not least… The adventures. The various backpacking trips. The random (but short) roadtrips. The cabin-in-the-mountains mini vacations. The silent getaways. And now, with 4 days left in the year, a planned Ireland jaunt for St. Patrick’s Festival in 2012 with Tré. The adventures have me loving life in 2011, and I can only anticipate an even more adventure filled 2012.

There’s more to speak of, but I’m tuckered out. I bid adieu to a wonderful year as I eagerly await what comes next.