It's a New Dawn, It's a New Day, It's a New Life for Me...

And I'm feeling good.

For me, 2013 has been the year of experience. It has been the year that I've found myself actually growing up. I pay bills (not all of them by myself, thankfully), I have a credit card (that I regret ever signing up for), I have learned to ask for help and accept help (as much as it kills me) and I've learned to appreciate the little things.

In 2013, I had my first 3 jobs. First, I worked as a waitress. I loved the job I did. I loved the location (right across from my apartment). I loved the food, I loved my coworkers, and I even loved my boss. My problem? The way things were run were done in a very unethical manner. Although I am not at liberty to go into detail on this, having this job definitely made me question my integrity, and that is something I am not willing to compromise.

The next job I had was just a summer job, but it was really wonderful. I got to work with my best friend with kids. It taught me a lot about patience with people, and understanding of people's situations. This being said, it also made me realize that I don't think teaching is the right fit for me, but I have a strong admiration for the souls who were blessed with such an abundance of patience.

For awhile I found myself in a lull without a job. In this time period, I applied for over 30 different jobs and was doing everything I could to keep up with life. Blessed, I had parents who took care of everything for me, and a credit card (that I learned how to use in necessary situations). In this time period, I had stopped eating out, and I definitely owe a pretty penny to Wells Fargo on my credit card, not to mention, I will forever owe my soul to my amazing parents who work so hard to support me.

Finally, in November, I found myself blessed with another job, this time in retail. It's definitely been an emotional roller coaster. I have a very high respect for the people who can do this day in and day out for years at a time... because I have learned that retail is NOT for me. I travel from UT to Cedar Park several times a week, and spend so much on gas that a days worth of work doesn't even pay for my gas expenses.  But, I've met some of the most amazing people. Although I might not be able to afford to keep this job, I feel so blessed to have just had the job to begin with.

The happiest moments of my entire year were spent with my family: my immediate, extended (yes, this includes my dearest friends.. you know who you are), and my created family with the art and music major, and even the art major's dumb cat (who just so happens to be adorable, annoying, and wonderful all at the same time). Asking for help is the hardest thing in the world for me to do. In my head, I've always had this idea that I need to be this independent 20 year old, no matter what. I've found that pride cannot be a factor in survival in this big world. If I need help now, (I exhaust all of my options first) I ask for it. There have been moments when I would eat peas for dinner or go without a razor for much too long (longer than I care to admit) all because I had too much pride to ask for help. Although I can never repay all of the help my family has provided for me, I can safely say this: I couldn't do it without you. 2013 was by far the HARDEST year I've experienced in my 20 years, because I spent so much time growing up. But, it was not the worst year, because I've learned so much from it.

I know it's a bit early for the New Years post, but I'm excited for another year. I am excited for new jobs, new classes, new experiences, and a fresh new start. I am blessed, though, that I am experiencing all of this newness with the family and friends that have stuck by me through all of my previous years. So, family, friends, and everyone else.... Thanks for the memories, the help, and thank you for my future. Thank you for 2013.