where o where has the time gone??

oh my GOODNESS! i just can't believe almost an entire year has passed without me putting my thoughts on this thing! i suppose i've moved on to bigger and better things....which is exactly what i'd love for you all (all one of you:) ) to think. but really, life has moved swiftly and pleasantly along this last year. i am steady! i am stable! i haven't changed jobs and have no plans in the near future to do so! i still live alone, and i still pay my own rent! i still exercise and eat my vegetables! things are looking up, guys. there have been weddings and engagements and new babys and babies on the way. and none of those things have been mine, in case you were actually wondering. i am sort of in the uncomfortable and pretty awkward throes of dating. (i just looked up the word throes to make sure i was using it properly. and i quote: 1. A severe pang or spasm of pain, as in childbirth. See Synonyms at pain. 2. A condition of agonizing struggle or trouble pretty sure i am using it properly) let me just say a few things about this topic. i hate it when people say "oh you wouldn't understand, you have never been married". or "you couldn't possible know what this is like since you don't have children of your own". and to that, i say, YOU COULDN'T POSSIBLY UNDERSTAND WHAT US SINGLE FOLK GO THROUGH IF YOU GOT MARRIED YOUNG AND SKIPPED THE ENTIRE AGONIZING AND EXHAUSTING HILARITY THAT IS DATING. because really, it is not for the faint at heart. this is no butterflies and hearts and getting swept off your feet by prince charming, who wants to court you and ask if he can hold your hand, and cook you dinners in his dorky but endearingly funny aprons as he quickly patches up the loose porch step with his tools while the pot boils on the stove and then he sits and watches greys anatomy with you on the couch running his fingers through your hair while you lay on his lap and then tells you he wants to take you out again and already has the next date planned and all you have to do is wait for him to pick you up and take control... it is not QUITE those things. it is doing the steps in the all the wrong order, and saying dumb things that you can't take back, and looking fugly when you think you won't run into him and of course you do, and having to take control so much of the time because he actually has no idea what to do or what he's doing in general...it's just awkward. and it's hard to really get how frustrating and lonely and ridiculous it is unless you've actually put in the time, soooo i am officially one of those people who are saying "you wouldn't understand unless...!". and i guess that means i have to admit that i don't understand what it is to be married and have my own kids either. but i can only assume it's all butterflies and hearts and sweeping-off-feet all of the time, no? this last year i also traveled to colombia, chicago, boston, nyc, ran a half marathon, given more massages than i ever thought possible, had uneventful holidays, and grew one year closer to my 30th birthday. it's right around the corner!! i have a few things i want to do before then, too...let's see if i have the gusto to pull it off. well i've missed you guys and until next time (hopefully next time won't be a year from now). ciao!