Welcome Aboard....

Welcome to the roller coaster. As you board understand that, with every turn there is a new adventure or a new scare. Every time you leave the station you think you know exactly where the next turn, climb or downhill slope will be and what to expect from them all. But everytime you are wrong. You see, in life, although it sometimes feels like you have jumped on the biggest ride at Six Flags, it differs in that in every year, every day, and every hour your life will change the track you are on to shake it up and teach to you that you can't always lean or duck to avoid the scares, loss, or life's shortcomings... sometimes you just have to hold on tighter and enjoy the ride.

We are on the verge of yet another year. But not just another year.... we are teatering on the first decade of the 2000's. The start of a new century is turning over it's first five years. I have been pondering the passing of time; as many due when the realization hits that the New Year is upon us once again. Where has the year gone? What have I accomplished? What will next year bring? .... and Dear God, please make this one a good one!

I am only rolling into my 27th year. "Only" What a word when you near 30 but are so far from 50 or 70! At 18 I thought I was going to be married by 21. At 20, I just wanted a place of my own and a job I was happy doing. At 24, I wanted to be a true adult and have my life in order. Am I crazy?.... Things didn't work out exactly in that time frame but by 27 I am feeling a little more in control and am happy with where I am. At 18, I went to college and opted out of the getting married idea - thank goodness - could you imagine! :) From 20 - 24 I did the roommate things and searched for the great job. I had switched from what I thought was a dream job to what I chose to be a stepping stone job and ended up on that stone for 5 years. I lived with the same roommate for 4 years until I found myself in her boyfriend's basement wondering what I had brought myself to - was there really no other options that a mini-apartment in a basement with your friend living upstairs with her boyfriend and the dog was the only communication you had to the upper level life. You bet there was! I found myself with some extra money and bills caught up and ahead. I made my first grown-up move and bought a condo in the southern suburbs. So here I am at 27, owning my own home, in a job that is new but so exciting that I hope to work there for awhile and build even more knowledge, and still single but have learned so much about life and love. The past 10 years have brought so many turns, curves, and sudden jerks that my life is just beginning. So as I bring in the new year - I am taking a deep breath, tighten the safety belt just a but tighter, raise your hands in the air and scream - for this is the ride I have been in line for and this is my trip around the track - make it an enjoyable one and if at all possible, don't look back!