6:02 p.m. - 2004-05-31
Things and Stuff Turns Two
Happy Journalversary, Things and Stuff!
I actually really hate that word, but I'm pleased about the occasion, so I'll leave it there. It's been two years now that I've been rambling in these little boxes, two years that I've been accumulating thoughts and ideas on these pages. Looking back over my archives, it seems like it's been so much longer than that.
Two years ago, when I started this journal, I still had another year of my degree to do. I was fumbling around trying to fathom life beyond graduation, struggling to adapt to the idea of life outside of school as I dragged my heels through my last real summer vacation.
My best friend had just moved away, and that was possibly the crappiest thing that ever happened to me. I started this journal in part because I needed a replacement for the outlet she was for all of my grouchiness, needed a place to grumble when I couldn't get ahold of her. It's served me well over the years, although it's certainly no Raisin. But, to my delight, two years of living three hours apart has not destroyed our friendship. I saw her last weekend, I'm going back to Calgary this weekend (which means I REALLY REALLY want Calgary to win in six, so I'm in Calgary when they win), and we're already making plans for our return trip to Disneyland next year. As we talked about last week, it was the trip to California that cemented our relationship. Those nine magical days, more than a year ago now, are a reminder that the two of us together have a magic of our own that exists beyond the Magic Kingdom. She said that she didn't think we'd be so close if we hadn't taken that trip, and I will be grateful for the rest of my days that we did. Not only because it was the best time of my life, but because it solidified a lifelong friendship that could otherwise have drifted away. But now, we're united by the memories we created in those nine days, brought together by the sparkle in our eyes when we remember the perfect, perfect days. And we've learned to be long distance best friends.
And to ease the pain of a long distance best friend, the unexpected friendship that I've begun with Diana has been a delightful beginning to what I know will be a lifetime of fun. If you go back to the beginnings of my journal, you can put your finger on the day we became friends. We've come a long way in these two years of friendship, and I'm really, really excited to see where the next few years take us.
One of the biggest changes in my life from that day two years ago is the piece of paper that sits in a frame on top of my bookshelf. It was a struggle, especially in the last year, to get those two letters behind my name, and I'm simultaneously sad to be done with school and rejoicing to not be there any more. The things I've done in the year since I finished my degree have been pretty remarkable learning experiences, even when not always completely positive, and I'm damn proud to have spent the entire year doing things 100% relevant to my English degree after so many years of being told how useless it was.
But the biggest change of all is at the same time the thing that has changed the least: Jamie. His unwavering support of everything I do is sometimes all that keeps me going, and it's certainly often what keeps this journal going. Our relationship has meandered through the years, getting stronger and more secure as time goes by. Every time I see him, I still think to myself how lucky I am to have him, and I'm more excited about marrying him than I've ever been about anything. (Close second: going back to Disneyland. I'm telling you, 2005 = BEST YEAR EVER.)
So here's to the next two years, and however many years after that. Even though my updates have gotten more sporadic, I'm not tired of this thing yet, and that's generally a pretty good sign. So happy birthday, Things and Stuff. And above all, thank you to every single one of you who reads, who sticks around through the infrequent updating and the random subject changes. Thanks to those who join my notify list or send me emails or leave me notes. It's been a hoot.
