First and foremost I want to thank every single person who took time to read even just one of my blog posts this year. In rereading my blog, as I do before the year-end wrap-up each year, I noticed I've been posting more short entries than I'd like to, so my blogging resolution for 2015 is to have longer posts with more (and hopefully better!) content. As far as this year goes, I hope you all enjoyed reading about what I did, even if I do have more entries about sleeping or being sleepy than I do about most other things.
2014 started off strangely for me. It started with a New Year's Eve kiss from someone who would end up not treating me very well, and that was a very painful experience. It was also a learning experience, and an experience through which I did things and felt things I hadn't felt before. It is not something I look back upon with much fondness, but every hurt is a lesson, and every lesson makes you better.
Through the spring I found a new job, a new apartment, and new friends. It was busy and stressful, but I found myself with a job that I love and an apartment that led me to getting one of the best parts of my life, my wonderful cat Castamere. In July I turned the very regal age of 22 and had an all-around good time with work, with Cas, and with life. I also experienced heartbreak in the summer, and it was as much a friendship heartbreak as it was a romantic one. It was a slow decline into cutting someone out of my life, and it was - and still sometimes is - very painful. But the past is the past. La strada percorsa non si cambia, ma su quella da percorrere può accadere ancora di tutto!
In August my health decline started, and it stuck with me for awhile. I wasn't able to work until the end of November. During that time I felt worse than I'd felt in many, many years, and it was very taxing on me. Concerts I'd wanted to see for years were marred by anxiety, my sleep schedule was unruly, and my life in general was full of stress. Luckily I had outlets in places like Lucahjin's LPs and in TwoDots, and of course in my wonderful friends and family.
November and December have been good. I went back to Ireland, which was absolutely incredible. I'm currently spending time with Brad, who I met through Lucahjin, and he makes me very happy. I had a fun Christmas, I'm working again, and while I still don't feel the same way I did before my medication stopped working back in August, I do feel much better. I feel so lucky to have my friends, my family, my cat, and everyone who reads this blog in my life.
Thank you all so much for sticking with me through another year. I can't believe it's been five years now. I started blogging daily in 2010 and like I've said before, it's become so much a part of my daily life that I can't imagine stopping anytime soon. I never thought I'd still be blogging daily at this point in my life, I never thought so much of what's happened since I started blogging would happen. I don't need tons of readers or a fascinating life for this blog to mean a lot to me. Lexa, who I met through this blog during my first year of running it, is still a dear friend of mine and I love her so much.
I'm excited for 2015. I'm ready for another year of blogging, too. There will be another entry tomorrow, telling you all how happy I am for 2015 to begin.
To all the people, places, and things in 2014 that gave me joy, thank you. From Legend of Korra to Belfast, Northern Ireland, to my mom, thank you. Suikoden II, The Amazing Race, my cat, my sister, Hatoful Boyfriend, Game of Thrones, Dún Laoghaire, and more. Thank you to my friends, my family, my romantic interests, and everyone else - from people I watch on YouTube to strangers I meet and who make me smile - who has helped shape me this year and continues to do so. This year wouldn't have been the same without you, and I can't express my gratitude enough. I love you all, and I wish you all the best in 2015. Thank you!
Bonus:
NEVER BEFORE SEEN PICTURES FROM IRELAND (I told you they were coming! I'm hoping to post some more, with captions, soon - but for now, please enjoy these photos from Belfast and the Game of Thrones tour):
