Jenna’s Chillin’ New Year’s Eve

The title doesn’t have the same ring as Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve does it? Oh well…I’m perfectly fine with that, because instead of standing in freezing cold, rainy Times Square, I’m snug in my bed at my parents’ house in Cincinnati, with my heating blanket on, knowing that right above me sleeping are my wonderful Mom & Dad and two adorable corgis.

I’ve been lacking in my posts in the last couple of weeks while at home, but it’s only fitting to do a year-end post. Because I love lists, part of the post is a compilation of some of 2009’s best moments. See that later. First, a little reflection…

2009 began with a bang with President Obama taking office. February marked two years since I moved to DC, and March brought my 1-year anniversary at my job.  April was three years with my boyfriend, and August was one year in my studio apartment. November was the big 25th birthday, and I will remember this Christmas as probably the last time I will get to spend a full two weeks around the holidays at home. That’s a lot of occasions, celebrations and memories.

2009 is also the year that I began my journey of self-discovery and healing, and what a journey that has been. It’s far from over, but I do feel that I’ve overcome some hurdles and bumps along the way, and the path ahead is getting smoother. It’s a funny thing, therapy. I’ve said this before, but it’s sometimes hard to articulate progress because it’s not a tangible item, not something I can write on paper or hold in my hand. It’s feelings, and a different way of acting and reacting, a new perspective, a fresh outlook, and many aha! moments. And sometimes, it’s still painful, and horrible, and angry, and sad – and not just for me.

With 2010 less than an hour away, I know that it’s time to forge ahead and bring my journey to new heights, and face new challenges…and it will take more than some sessions on the couch. It might mean more vacations for myself, more massages, more reading, or a new class. It might mean doing something I didn’t think I could do before. It might mean thinking things I didn’t think before, and feeling things I didn’t feel before. But whatever it is, I’m ready for it.

2010 is likely to bring much change to my life. After spending the last 2.5 years wondering what would happen after my boyfriend is out of law school, that time is almost here. Over the next 6-8 months, some major decisions will be made – and although I don’t know what those will be right now, I am going to go forward with confidence in those choices, and with faith that things will work out the way they are meant to – that’s all I can ask for right now. In one of the closing scenes in When Harry Met Sally, Harry finds Sally right before midnight at a party on New Year’s Eve. After he tells her all the reasons he loves her, he says with a flourish, “I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” I’ve been waiting a few years, but I know that if I have to wait some more, there is a reason for that…and if I don’t have to wait, there is a reason for that, too.

And for the list – my top moments of 2009:

• Standing on the Capitol Lawn for President Obama’s inauguration
• Attending Relay for Life in Lutcher, to celebrate the life of my aunt, a true survivor, and the memory of my grandfather.
• Going to the UN and being inspired by youth fighting climate change
• West Wing tour
• Seeing Niagara Falls for the first time
• Celebrating the memory of our beloved Casey, and bringing home a new buddy for Harrison, McGee
• Celebrating my 25th birthday in Germany with my Mom
• Getting to spend a second summer in a row with Dan in DC
• Seeing some of my favorite people from high school, some of whom are my best friends still
• Coming home for the holidays