2014 was a year full of ups and downs. January was a rough month, by the end of the month I was fed up with feeling alone and isolated. I prayed for community like I had known in Portland. Within weeks I found a church group to attend bible study with, I got to know my roommate better as well as our neighbors, I discovered a futsal team to join, and by chance circumstances met a group of people that I came close with, that have the potential to be friendships to last a long time.
At the end of April I quit my fantastic nanny job to start work at one of my favorite places, Daybreak Camp. In May, I began my transition out of Humboldt. Between the start of my new job and the end of my old, I was able to make a trip out to Chicago, for the first time, to visit my little brother. The summer was full of fun, new experiences where many new friendships were developed. At the end of summer, I was offered to stay on at camp- something that I never suspected happening, as it had never been offered before. Since this was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and in a job as well as place, I wanted to learn more about I took the position.
Every day since Labor day, has been a new adventure. Lots of time by myself to reflect and think about life- who I am, what I want, and grow closer in my relationship with God. September was a little difficult, being alone most of the month after a summer so busy and full of community. At the begining of October, my brother got married to the perfect match for him. It was a relationship that started four years prior to the wedding, that many of us knew would be a forever relationship. By the end of the month, my ten year high school reunion rolled around. It was a fun night, reconnected with many people I had not seen in those past 10 years. I even went out after, salsa dancing with an old friend I ran into there.
I am most thankful for my month of December. The first weekend was spent with my favorite teens in Livermore, playing hide and go seek, sardines, lava monster, driving around town, blasting music, racing to pizza and getting cheered as we arrived. Later that week, I drove to Sacramento to attend a concert with my sister. We enjoyed Big Data, Joy Wave, Vance Joy, Fitz and the tantrums, Young the giant, and Bush. The very next day I drove down to LA as a travel nanny. It was a very busy job and traffic was a pain, but I got to reunite with one of my closest college friends.
After ten days working down south, I drove to Humboldt to celebrate Christmas with my extended family. It was the best celebration I have had that I can remember. Cinnamon twists were on point, the cousins all wore matching pjs, and love/joy/peace was felt heavy in the room. Also during that visit, I got to spend time with my game night friends. We wrapped presents, played games, and chatted about life. This stop went by much too quickly, but I had to be off to Portland for the weekend.
My heart was so happy to be there. I got to spend quality time with one of my former roommates in the house of one of my second families. We caught up after over a year apart and I got to meet her new boyfriend. I met up with my longest term friends and watched The latest Hobbit movie with their family. I had a sleepover with my favorite preteen twins, and their family where we watched Guardians of the Galaxy, ate pizza, played cards, etc. In the morming we went to PUMPchurch, following that I spent sometime wandering Powells, and in the evening I went to A Jesus Church. Afterward, I went swing dancing, which started out slow not recognizing anyone there at first, but as the night went on more of my friends showed up and my rusty skills shined up a bit.
The plan was to leave Monday morning, but my friends convinced me otherwise. I stayed one more day, had a chill evening at my friends house we watched Maleficent, which was a really great movie. I left Portland at just the right moment. The next time I am there will be in the fall, when I hopefully will be moving back. On my way back down, I stopped at my brother's in-laws place in Corvallis. We chatted for awhile, and then I continued on back to Sacramento to ring in the New Year with my sister and Dad.
I am excited for what 2015 has to offer. I see good things in the future.
