Life update, post-birthday edition

You know you've been a lazy slacker of a blogger when your last year's birthday post is still on the front page - and it's not even at at the bottom of the front page. I really was determined to post more this time last year. It just...didn't happen. I'm not sure if it was lack of inspiration, lack of motivation, lack of words to express what I wanted to say, or some combination of those and other factors that resulted in the lack of posts.

So, what have I been up to? It's so hard to put a whole year into a short synopsis for easy consumption, but I suppose I shall try.

~I welcomed the cutest nephew EVER into the world. He's the love of my life; too bad he's in another country and can't be my boyfriend because he's 25 years younger than me (and my nephew). He's freaking gorgeous. And no, I'm not just saying that because he's my nephew.
~I started a new job, which didn't pay as much as my old one but which gave me far more satisfaction. (Gee whiz, it's fun to be appreciated! Who'da thunk?) I also decided to continue to do this job for the coming year, despite whatever shortcomings there are in the compensation package. Hey, it's a job, and I enjoy it. That's worth a lot in my book.
~I found out that as much as I hated working 9-5, the structure it provides can be helpful. It's not that I don't enjoy my own company, but too much unstructured time is just not a good thing. (Okay, so a couple of the shortcomings in the job aren't only compensation-related.)
~I learned that my feelings about small children have changed. Once upon a time, I had a fairly low tolerance level for misbehaving children between the ages of, oh, two to twelve or so. But especially the younger ones, for some reason. Now I gladly substitute teach for preschoolers, and it's not only because the pay is quite decent. Finding out that I could spend four hours with 3-year-olds and actually enjoy it came as quite a surprise.
~There have been many, many ups and downs in the past year. B"H there have been many simchas, and b"H I have much in my life to be thankful for. Unfortunately, it's not always so easy to see that or to say it. However, this year, I finally decided (after some kicks in the tush from helpful friends) to actually try to do something about it.
~In this same vein, I also discovered that occasionally it is all right to be blackmailed for one's own good. No, that is not an invitation.
~I have been through many roommates and many uncomfortable situations involving roommates. I have successfully replaced two roommates, the second of which happened through complete hashgacha pratis. B"H I am looking forward to my new roommates, and I think I shall be far happier with my living situation than I have been in a long time.
~I have learned, firsthand, exactly how annoying it is to have a car in my neighborhood. I have a newly developed hate for alternate side parking in NYC. Thank G-d having the car is temporary.
~I have been to Delaware and back in under 24 hours. Did you know that singing silly songs at ungodly hours of the night is a great way to stay awake while driving at said ungodly hours?
~I joined Facebook. Yep, I finally caved. It was just time.
~I have strengthened and solidified many friendships and let others go. Others have continued much as they were before. I have tried to strengthen some existing friendships so as to have a support network in place when other friendships must, for whatever reasons, change. I hope it works. I am glad I have good friends who care very much about me, wherever in the world they are. Such friends are gifts straight from HKB"H.
~I celebrated the 26th anniversary of my birth with one such friend and had a fabulous time. We went to Broadway in Bryant Park, among other fun things, and it was a party. And I got a very thoughtful birthday call from another such friend who was unable to participate in the festivities because she is now very far away. Both the company and the call were very much appreciated, as were all the other various birthday well-wishes by phone, e-card, text, and FB.

All right, that's basically my year al regel achat. Hopefully I'll be back to update this thing sometime before next year's birthday rolls around. Till then, happy trails to you all, until we meet again.