New Years usually isn't a really big holiday for me. I have always thought it was pointless staying up until midnight just to wait until the next day, even if the next day was the new year. Even as a young adult, I still found it pointless, but a good excuse to spend time with friends and to have a good time. However, this new year, I have been more reflective about my past year, and hope and optimism for the new year. I guess the reason for the difference this year is that 2011 has been a year of major changes in my life. I guess major changes causes one to be more reflective.
2011 started out as another normal year. I was getting comfortable with where my life was, which was a very big step for me. I loved my roommates, my friends and my ward. I finally came to terms with not having a job with my degree (I mean how many jobs are there for people with a degree in music that do not involve teaching?) and was comfortable with what I was doing, although deep down I knew there was more to my life. And I was enjoying being in the Orchestra at Temple Square, but the commute was getting to me.
The first major change that happened (not to me, but indirectly affected me) was my roommate Andrea was in a serious relationship with a wonderful man for her. When she became engaged, I had a decision to make. My other roommate, LuJean decided to move in with her brother. That left me with an entire apartment by myself, needing to find 2 new roommates, or I could also move out and figure out what to do when that happened. I decided on the latter of the two.
Me and my roommates at Andrea's wedding
The next big event that happened was at the end of March. My stake president had a Relief Society meeting for all the sisters in our stake. The topic of discussion was dating. The final speaker was our stake president. He encouraged us to show interest in guys, and do what we can to give them motivation to ask us out. Then he made a very interesting promise. He told us that if we would pray for a man to be placed in our path who would be compatible with us, and then to show that person we are interested, and not judge him to harshly, then we would "see significant changes in our dating lives within 9 months." No more than a month later, I was in my first serious relationship ever. We dated for 2 1/2 months, and although it did not work out with him, I learned so many valuable lessons that hopefully will help me with my search for an eternal companion.
The next big event was not life changing, but a wonderful experience. I was able to go on tour this summer with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. We toured the east coast, starting in Virginia, and making stops in Washington DC, Philadelphia, Chautauqua New York, with a stop at the Sacred Grove on the way there, and ending up in Toronto, stopping at Niagara Falls. All in all, it was an amazing trip, and such a wonderful, once in a lifetime opportunity I will never forget.
Me and my friends in front of the Lincoln Memorial with the Washington Monument in the background.
In the Sacred Grove
In front of Niagara Falls
The last major event in my life was my move to Salt Lake. As I mentioned earlier, I decided as soon as I found out my roommates were planning on moving out that I would move out earlier. I decided that I wanted to move to Salt Lake and I was not going to look for another place in Logan. I decided that if I couldn't find a job before I needed to move, I would move back in with my parents temporarily. I made my decision, and put my faith in Heavenly Father that he would provide a way. Because of this experience, I learned that Heavenly Father is mindful of me, and will help me in my life. I applied for several jobs in the Salt Lake area, and even had quite a few interviews, however, none of them worked out. It was a good thing because they were not jobs that would get me to where I want to be career wise. I applied for quite a few medical jobs at the University of Utah, and somehow, my resume and application got routed to the Financial Aid department, without me applying for the job. I interviewed for the position, and no more than 3 days after the interview, I was offered the position, and 2 weeks later, I moved to Salt Lake City. The miraculous way that this job came to me first of all helped me realize that Heavenly Father is very mindful and intimately involved in my life, and will guide me to where He wants me. The second thing I realized is that I am supposed to be living in Salt Lake.
The last major event in my life was my move to Salt Lake. As I mentioned earlier, I decided as soon as I found out my roommates were planning on moving out that I would move out earlier. I decided that I wanted to move to Salt Lake and I was not going to look for another place in Logan. I decided that if I couldn't find a job before I needed to move, I would move back in with my parents temporarily. I made my decision, and put my faith in Heavenly Father that he would provide a way. Because of this experience, I learned that Heavenly Father is mindful of me, and will help me in my life. I applied for several jobs in the Salt Lake area, and even had quite a few interviews, however, none of them worked out. It was a good thing because they were not jobs that would get me to where I want to be career wise. I applied for quite a few medical jobs at the University of Utah, and somehow, my resume and application got routed to the Financial Aid department, without me applying for the job. I interviewed for the position, and no more than 3 days after the interview, I was offered the position, and 2 weeks later, I moved to Salt Lake City. The miraculous way that this job came to me first of all helped me realize that Heavenly Father is very mindful and intimately involved in my life, and will guide me to where He wants me. The second thing I realized is that I am supposed to be living in Salt Lake.
Me and my new friend on Temple Square right before Stake Conference
2011 was a very eventful year, and I am very grateful for the experiences that I had to help me learn and grow. I am very excited for the new opportunities that 2012 will bring me.
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