2005

2005 was important.

I ended my Swedish studies; two of my closest friends in Malmö had their first babies; I attended the wedding of a friend in the States (the first of what will hopefully be many of those); I took out a loan and bought an apartment; I felt my relationship with Erik jump to a new level; I weathered some depressing times here without being tempted to return to America; I stressed over and furnished an apartment on a small budget; I labored with and finished a thesis and reopened the door to getting a PhD at some point; I received my permanent residency visa; and coming in just under the wire, I got my first real job in Sweden.

It's been an odd year. I've had lots of free time and no space in my head to appreciate it. There were sweet, funny, and memorable times, but overall, the year wasn't a light one.

I'm grateful to 2005 for portending a new phase in life, for keeping me on my toes, and for giving me a hell of a lot to think about.

But if it's okay, I'm hoping 2006 is a little more fun, a little less serious--a year to enjoy what 2005 set up.