2009 in review ...

I was away for a while and thought my first post for this year would be a review of the happenings in my life last year:

WORK: A+
I found this amazing job towards the beginning of last year. It doesn't pay much but doing it makes me feel like I am making a difference in the world. I have accomplished much for the company and they accepted to sponsor me for a H-1B so that I can stay in the US after my OPT expired in October. Not only that but I also got promoted a month ago and there is little more money in my paycheck every month.

FAMILY RELATIONSHIP: A
I just spent 2 weeks on the other side of the world to spend time with my family. It was a blast! The weekly email and phone calls are good for me but being there was exceptional. I missed them and I wish we couldn't be separated again. But well, I chose to live this far away so I have to deal with the consequences. There is this wonderful bounding that I can't quite explain between us. This includes cousins and uncles and extended families. It made me so happy to watch my mom and her siblings take care of my grandma who hardly remembers everyone. She just smiles! It moved my heart to listen to my cousins express their feelings towards their siblings and their other cousins. We all had tears of joy and compassion for one another. It made me so happy to see my older brother teach Seminary to the youth in his area on Saturdays. I loved talking to my mom face to face answering her questions about my personal life. I loved watching my 2 brothers swimming in the ocean together. And most of all, my 3 nieces are the most adorable girls ever.

SPIRITUALITY: B+
I am okay, healthy and sound. I just feel like God has blessed me so much but I haven't really done anything to deserve it. I lack reading my scriptures everyday, praying meaningfully, and going to the Temple regularly. I have joined the Institute choir all year long to reconnect with the spirit more often. I feel that singing praises to my Maker is the easiest way for me to feel closer to Him.

FRIENDS: B
I took a different turn when dealing with friends. While in the past, I used to have one close friend with whom I'd share everything, but that changed. I am not sure if that was good or bad. I just became so careful now choosing my friends. I noticed that my roommates have become my closest one and that is going pretty well.

SOCIAL/RELATIONSHIP: D-
No heart broken or injury :-) just a few dissapointments, it's because I hardly remember how many real dates I have gone to. I have arrived to the point where I don't want to consume myself into this. I lived my life without worrying too much about it. This makes me ask myself if I should try harder (but how? it's the boys ...), what else is there to do. Maybe write in my forehead that I am available to date if it's not so obvious to them.
BTW, I go out in groups, I do fun stuff with friends so I think I am social.

2010 ???? hope this one will be another good one!