5/17/11

This won’t be posted for a while still I’m sure (I have no internet, television, or cell phone service in my canyon-bottom residence here at Mesa Verde), but I am writing this on May 17^, 2011, the one year anniversary of my college graduation.

This is weird. It really feels like just yesterday I was walking across the stage and receiving that diploma, celebrating the rest of the day with too much food and lots of family. When I think about my life in the city it doesn’t seem that long ago. But if I had told myself one year ago today that I would be spending this anniversary covered in dirt and crawling through ancient ruins I never would have believed it. That time seems close, but worlds away. I am the same girl in a lot of ways that I was that evening in my designer dress sipping on expensive cocktails with my best girlfriends. But I am also in a lot of ways totally different.

I’ve learned not to take things so seriously without loosing the stubborn perseverance that I credit most of my successes to. I’ve learned to be more open to new opportunities and ideas. I’ve learned to share. I’ve learned to trust. I’ve learned teach. I’ve learned several new skills and a huge amount of new information that I never knew I would or could have an interest in. I’ve learned the true meaning of solitude and exactly how to find it. I’m stronger, sharper, and faster physically, mentally, and emotionally. I feel the best I’ve ever felt in all aspects of my life. I have the best friends, the best family, the best job, the best life a girl could imagine – so great, in fact, that I never even came close to thinking it up. Most mornings I get to work and wonder when I’m going to wake up from this strange and incredible dream.

Most of all, I’ve learned that you can work hard and be good, but you can’t control where life takes you. You can only do your best to roll with the punches.

I’m a big believer that you get what you put out in this world. Be the best person that you can be in every aspect of your life and the universe will reward you in often unexpected and tremendously satisfying ways. I do believe that this is the key to true happiness.

One year later and I’m not exactly making bank, living in the city, or celebrating this day over cocktails. But I couldn’t be happier for that.