The 1st of 1-1

It's here. 2011.

I was a lousy blog poster last year but, hey, I had a lot of things going on.

I think 2010 was a good year and included a lot of great moments and accomplishments. But it was also really hard, sometimes stressful, sometimes worse. I guess that's what life is: the balance of the great moments with the not-so-great.

I've been reading a few blogs lately and I've been itching to write on mine. I don't have much time lately, but I'm making some room here on my lunch break. Whew. Thank goodness for lunch breaks.

As is customary on this blog, here's what 2010 held for me in no particular order:

Taking the GMAT (scored 99 percentile in verbal) 

Applying to MBA programs

Quitting my job (this absolutely terrified me)

A few weeks of blissful unemployment

Contemplating a couple job offers and the prospect of starting my own business

Running my first race (a 5K)

Serving in my Relief Society presidency

Welcoming my sister Susie home from her mission

Several very interesting dating situations

I'm sure there is much more but most of what I'm listing I took from past blog posts this year...and we all know I wasn't great at updating that. :)

I have to say that the thing I feel most accomplished for is the whole "quitting my job" thing. That honestly took a lot out of me and was the end result of a long process and debate. I've very grateful for that position and the opportunity and experience it granted me. But it didn't take me long to figure out that it wasn't the right environment for me and that I wasn't thriving as a professional as I needed and wanted. But I had never quit a job before and just the action of doing so terrified me. Forget the part about worrying about finding another job, not having money, or having to move. I love that stuff. But to have to sit down and tell someone that I was leaving for no apparent reason although than the fact that I wanted to...well, for me, that took a lot of guts.

I also learned about making decisions for myself and for this one went through the process of deciding to quit, picking the date on which to do so, praying about and contemplating my decision, and moving forward with it. I had picked a date three weeks out and felt more than good about it 3 days in to this process. I knew it was right for me, although I was taking a huge leap of faith and didn't know what my future would hold.

Interestingly enough, I applied for my current position on the same day I quit. (I had been applying and interviewing for several things before that as well.)

This experience makes me think about all the things I've LEARNED this year as well...

Faith is a very powerful concept.

Change is good.

Some things really aren't that scary.

Hard work pays off.

Exercise makes me happy.

I love to be productive.

I might be shy but most people don't know that.

Order and cleanliness can make such a difference in life.

I'm so glad I'm doing something I love to do...and that I'm pretty good at it.

Sometimes Heavenly Father has little secrets He has to keep.

A first impression, whether good or bad, never holds everything you need to know. 

I'm really obsessive about certain things...

I need positive reinforcement in a working environment. 

There are things I love to do and there are things other people love to do. And they don't have to be the same. 

I have great people in my life. Seriously.

If I have a question. Google it. 

The cold very often keeps me inside. But I love watching snow fall, boots, scarfs, tights, and electric blankets.

I'm grateful for opportunities to serve the people around me. 

My little brother is a pretty cool freshmen.

There are lots of things I want to do, but I don't have to do them all right now.

I can change and grow and become.