Happy New Year!

Well, it's definitely been some year. It's been good. Really good. Here are some highlights:

- Had an awesome, memorable spring break. Took my first trip to the west coast and saw my first glimpse of the ocean. Amazing...




- I left my job at IUPUI and started an internship at Sallie Mae. I've been really blessed on my career track, and this was one of the stepping stones. Getting web design jobs on the side, then hooking up with a projects class taught by Ed Sullivan, who has become the best business contact I've ever had. Ed got me my internship at Sallie Mae, which has led to one of the later highlights in the year... ;)


- Took my fifth trip to Cornerstone. Another great trip - I got to meet and talk to one of my favorite authors, Brian McLaren, at length, plus I met some pretty cool new people.




- I started attending a new church, The Dwelling Place. Not just new to me, but new to everyone. So far so good - I've made some new friends there, and we have our first gathering in our building very soon.


- I moved into a new town, in a house, with a roommate. All of this is very new to me - I've always lived by myself, on the westside, in an apartment. So far it's going good, and it's nice being 5 minutes away from work.


- I graduated from the Purdue School of Engineering & Technology at IUPUI with my bachelors degree in Computer & Information Technology. Yep, definitely the biggest thing that happened this year for me, I think. 4 1/2 years of work involved with that one. Talk about a feeling of accomplishment - I honestly can't describe to you the feeling of finishing that very last final. What a rush.


- I was offered a full-time job at Sallie Mae, using my degree and making more money than I've ever made. Yep, God blessed me with this one. I have pretty much no doubt that I'm where I should be.


- I was offered the opportunity to teach a class at IUPUI. Very cool - a little extra money, an opportunity to learn more, something nice to add to the resume, and well... just the fun of being able to say "I'm teaching a class!". :)


So... I'm starting the year off with some things that are relatively new to me - a roommate, a bachelors degree, a full-time job, and a class to teach. Looks to be interesting.

And, of course, one of the best things of all - I made some new friends this year. Not only did I make some new friends, I grew pretty close to some of them. Two groups in particular:

1) My "family" and those from "dad's" message board and The Dwelling Place -
Maurice, Sally, Lauren, Jon, Crystal, Ro, Jenn, and more

2) Our "lunch crew" and friends from work -
Wong, Charly, Kelli, Mike, Vic, and Tony

People are awesome. And where would I be without my wonderful guys who keep me encouraged and reminded of how beautiful I am - Maurice, Jon, and Charly. I love you guys! :)

2006 is off to a good start for me. I'm looking forward to it. And whether it ends up good or bad, I know I'll still enjoy the ride.