2011 in review

Kidney stone aside, 2011 was a good year.  I think I passed it BTW.

Before I get into my 2011 year in review, many of you may have noticed that I did not write a 2010 in review.  I didn't get a chance to since I was in an unpredictable and unstable situation and did not know what to expect from one day to the next.  Since I don't want to hash up bad memories, I'll just say it was an awful year, though I am thankful for the support of my friends and family for helping me get through it.

On to 2011-

Who would've thought that being dumped by my ex-fiancee and throwing me out on my ass would be the best thing that ever happened to me?  After that happened, I spent a few months living in a basement studio before I moved in with Cory.  Cory and I have a good relationship, and his girlfriend Mesthey is awesome; I love that I don't feel like the third wheel when they're together.  I am still working as an instructional assistant, and it has been the most amazing experience.  I now know my calling, and that is to work with special needs kids.  I took the course last spring to get my special ed certification.  I still work in the call center, and even though I can't stand it, I refuse to let it suck the life out of me the way Comcast did.  It's also a huge help that I have awesome co-workers there.  Buuuuttt....once I get offered a full-time teaching position I am out like a Jheri Curl.

Another thing that really helped me out was seeing a therapist over the summer.  I went to a Christian Counseling center, which I took with a grain of salt; the main reason I picked this place was because it was close to my house.  This therapist took a unique approach because he took ideas from both the DSM-IV and the Bible.  It really helped me out in terms of how I approach relationships, and he helped me with my level of confidence.  This only began to scratch the surface, as I would consider seeing a therapist again in the near future.  Just earlier this afternoon I had another "argument" with my ex-wife; I cannot remember what it was about, though.

Another thing that made this a good year is the fact that I found a church.  My therapist suggested that I go to church again (to some extent I was annoyed by the evangelical portion of his work, but at the same time I saw where he was coming from).  He suggested that I check out the ROC church, but I knew that wasn't going to happen.  Last August I discovered Bon Air United Methodist Church, and they treated me like I was a member of the family from the first service.  Last month, I made the leap and officially became a Methodist in the new member ceremony.  Thankfully I did not need to be baptized since I was already baptized in the Catholic church; I'd feel sorry for whomever would have to lift me into the water.  Right now I am praying for a full-time teaching job so that I can do more at the church.

On a bit of a sidenote it was a great year to be a sports fan.  The Lions are in the playoffs, the Tigers made it to the ALCS before finally choking, and VCU made it to the Final Four.  Oh - and the NBA and it's egotistical greed finally imploded on itself.

And that takes me into what I have up my sleeve in 2012.  I am starting classes in January to get my full Special Ed certification.  I am also going to keep tromping on to get a full-time teaching job.  I will be posting more about this in the coming days.  Stay tuned...