Was 2003 a good year for you? My personal reflections

[TigerBear]

I will likely remember 2003 as the year in my life in which I grew the most - emotionally, spiritually, physically, and professionally. Last year at this time I was a complete mess - in the middle of a divorce, completely unhappy with my physical appearance, dreading the dissertation process so much I wasn't making any progress, unsure of where my life was headed and really where I even wanted it to go. Now, just a year later I am happier, healthier, stonger, wiser and smarter too (finally earned the title of Dr. after being ABD for over 4 years!). Change can be so scary, but if it is embraced, and with a little bit of luck, it truly can lead to great things.

So, how was 2003 for you? For all of you going through a rough time, hang in there!!

 

[MHopkins2]

This year was great - moved into an awesome new apartment, and started dating the downstairs neighbor who turned out to be the man of my dreams. Good news! He met the woman of his dreams this year too. Slightly less-good news: She isn't me.

[I know this particular pity party is selfish and silly compared to what others have gone through. I'm going to wallow in my misery all the same, okay?]

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

I've learned so much about life and love and hope....it's been a great year for the most part.

While this year held some of the saddest moments of my life, it was also filled with some incredible learning experiences.
My thoughts are that nothing was an accident. I can glean something valuable from even the most painful moments and if I use that information wisely, it will only help my own walk through this thing we call "life". LOL

 

[TigerBear]

MHopkins2, I'll cry with you. That sucks!

 

[faithinkarma]

The fact that there are greater tragedies does not diminish your pain. Go ahead and have your pity party. Things will get better. And then you can be rational again.

" UNHAPPINESS IS UNAVOIDABLE, MISERY IS OPTIONAL "

 

[MHopkins2]

Thanks you two. It still really hurts but I'll (probably) survive.


*putting on my Brave Little Toaster face*


Anyway! Back to someone else's good news??

 

[faithinkarma]

This has been an extremely eventful year for me.

I sold my house and 30 years worth of "stuff",
moved to the US,
joyfully got married,
sadly discovered I need a new kidney,
got tested and happily learned I am good candidate for transplant,
miraculously got the all important go ahead from the insurance people,
thankfully had 7 family members begin testing to be donors.

Definitely a good year

 

[Pin Wizard]

2003 was a turning point for me. Taking turns that were long overdue. I've grown as a person, opened up to someone, and have recently had a wonderful time with them! Does that say it all? It's definitely been the best year out of the past decade!!!

 

[Manda1219]

This is pretty good news...
In the Spring I got really sick and missed about a month of school...All of my professors said they'd accept my dr.s notes, but only one did and I wound up with a ready pitiful average (D). I got put on academic probation (meaning I was unable to register for more than 11 credits-which is no good because I need 12 to keep my medical coverage) I was unaware of anything I could do to appeal this...So I transfered to a different college which I HATED...there was never any parking, the campus was giant, and so were the classes.
I decided to reapply to my old school and I got in under the assumption (as I was told by someone who worked in admissions) that I would be accepted back NOT on probation. WELL...when I went to register for classes, I was unable to take on 12 credits! So I had to write an appeal to the dean...I got Dr.s notes, and made photocopies of graded homeworks, tests, and papers...I waited nervously to hear back from the Dean for 2 whole days...Finally found out that I got my appeal and I've been on cloud 9 ever since!!!
Although today was pretty crappy as my boyfriend of 5 years grandmother is in the hospital

 

[Serena]

A lot has happened in my life, both good and not so good. I've had some really special people help me through it.

 

[maci]

Well as this year was somewhat of a landmark for me, being the big 3-0, I have to say all in all it was a pretty good year!
I have SO much to be grateful for! A Healthy, happy, beautiful family and great friends!! I had tons of fun this year, even got to go to Disney thanks to the FTP and it was the best trip we have had so far!!!
Here's hoping 31 is just as fun!!

 

[Keli]

2003 was one of the hardest years I've ever had to endure. I think 2004 will be 100% better and I can't wait to start the new year!

 

[Disneyland_emily]

All in all 2003 was not bad. nor was it all that great but Ive had worse years. 2002 was a rough year with the sadness that involved my adopted daughter and her unneeded death then the year ended on a pretty bad note when I late miscarried (5.5 months) on christmas, so I guess 2003 was the year of acceptance over the past few years and all that they have intelled. Not much happened, I stayed healthy (well as good as can be expected) , school and work went but nothing all that remarkable happened.

On towards 2004 and the hope of a better day

-em

 

[Mamu]

Better then 2002.

Some good, some sad times but over all a good year.

DD got a great health report, in 4 more months her final health report is do. Hoping and praying all her problems are in the past.

Did experience some very sad times, lost 3 of my best friends, friends from school. The loss of loved ones always leaves a void and a sadness.

 

[PigletsPal]

2003 started out oK because this was my WDW trip year all the exciment of the planning and making the PS's. That is until April came around and I found "THE LUMP" in my (L) breast. After a trip to the breast center at the Hospital I work at, they felt it was a blocked milk duct and sch. me for surg in June, then I failed the EKG and had to have a Cardiac Cath which turned out OK. Had the surg in July took 3 wks to get the path. report back had to send it to NY, so I kinda new what was coming..................Got the phone call that it was postive for Medullary Carcinoma a rare slow growing cancer. Went back in to surg for a sent. lymph node that was "NEG" so I didn't have to have a mystectomy. Started Chemo in Oct, just finished my 3rd round with 3 more to go with 6 wks of rad. to follow.

The great thing about all of this is I found out "WHO" my true friends are and what a TRUELY WONDERFUL HUSBAND I HAVE!!!!
He has more than stepped up to the plat and has taken over the cooking, cleanning and helps me with the grocery shopping.
So I don't think 2004 at least for the first 6 months with be all the best. I'm at least alive and will not die from this awful disease.
So I'm very thankfull to all my friends and family during the time.

May 2004 bring everyone the strength to take on the bad time and the joy of the good times. Because you just never know when you will be hit with the hard times.

 

[Kitty 34]

My body fell apart this year.......must be the turning 50 next month reminder!!!

Spent the first half of 2003 getting over terrible neck pain. Three months of physical therapy really helped!!!

Ruptured disc happened in lower back in November with a reminder happening earlier this week.

If that wasn't enough I'm suffering from Shingles which has been loads of fun!

Postive happenings........pain meds do work!

My boys and DH are healthy and helpful....thank GOD.

Went to Vegas and tho it's certainly no Disney...it was lots of fun.

Had fun at a DIS Meet. Love meeting up with DISers!!!

 

[Rajah]

2003 was both a good and bad year.

The bad: The Columbia disaster, which I still haven't fully emotionally recovered from. I don't think I'm going to really feel inspired at work again until we have our next successful launch and return. Losing our favorite kitty Blaze to an unknown immune system failure that we think was the same thing that got his brother. Missing out on going to Hawaii and Phoenix/Grand Canyon with DH when he went there on his conferences, both of which I'd been planning to attend for 2 years. DH losing his grandmother, which is really hard to weather in his "must not show emotions" family. (Yes, people, it really *is* okay to be sad when someone dies. ) And a few rough spots in our marriage (which we luckily have so far made it through).

The good: Starting my new graduate program in Instructional Technology and dumping what I was trying to do with Computer Science. This program is the most fun I've ever had in college, and I loved the majority of getting my B.S. in Geophysics. Getting to start on a project about Aztec Ruins National Monument, and thus getting to photograph a couple of areas not open to the public, as well as some artifacts in the archives. Starting my cross stitch design company, even though it was only made official a couple of weeks ago and I don't have anything released yet. All the cross stitch design I was able to do this year, and the fun I had stitching and designing them. My best friends moving in to their first house 5 houses away from ours. Getting Leo and Gabi, our two new kittens who I absolutely love. Getting to take my parents to WDW when we went to West Palm Beach to pick out our kittens. First trip they'd had to WDW in several years, and possibly their last, and I got to make it happen.

Those are the good and bad highlights from my year.

I'm praying that next year has the same number of good, and no more of the devastational bad like Columbia and Blaze.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

2003 started out great with a visit to my sister in Phoenix.

On Jan. 10 I lost my last grandparent. My grandmother died on my mother's birthday. My aunt died this year from a seizure and my distraught uncle committed suicide.

I turned 40!

I am a SAHM. I got to see my 3 beautiful children make great strides this year. It is difficult not getting a paycheck each week for a job well done. I do the same tasks over and over again each day. It can start to drive one insane.

I went to WDW for 8 days in December.

I started scrapbooking.

Lori

 

[dejr_8]

Tigerbear

now that you are not ABD but Ph.D. do you know what the initials stand for...



... Pizza Hut Delivery

(Congrats on the Ph.D.)

 

[septbride2002]

2003 for me was a year of finding out that I can say No. I think DH and I proved to his family for once and for all that we are not under there thumb. We bought a house in the area we wanted to buy a house in which is about 40 minutes away from my in-laws and you would have thought I moved across the Atlantic with the way the complained. We put our foot down about Thanksgiving and had a wonderful holiday because of it. And when my FIL threw a screaming fit at me on Christmas Eve Day I did not back down and do what he wanted because we had already notified him of our decision. The year 2003 has made me feel so independent.

I learned who my true friends are. Three of my closest and dearest friends are engaged and asked me to be a part of their weddings. My friend Tiff and I grew apart because of a mutual so called friend and then when we realized what she was doing we dropped her like a bad habit and spent about 3 months relearning who the other was.

We bought our first home which is perfect and we love it.

2003 brought on many career changes and I got a huge promotion that will help us pay down some student loans faster which means in 3 years we might be able to have one of us stay home when we have kids. (I'm only 24 and we are in no rush).

~Amanda