My 2008

Now that the year 2008 is drawing to an end it's a good time to review what happened in my life during this year...

Work
When it comes to work it has been quite a turbulent year. After losing my job towards the end of 2007 I was very happy to find new employment with a recruitment & selection company. It would give me an opportunity to expand my HR skills, complementing the skills I already have in the learning & development field. Unfortunately it wasn't meant to be... The job bore me to death. There were many days where there simply wasn't anything at all to do. And the only answer to it was to do cold acquisition, something I found out I absolutely loathe doing. So at the start of the summer I decided that this job wasn't for me and I started looking for something more suitable. In November I started working as a senior learning & HR consultant for a training and advice company. So far I'm loving this new job, as explained in an earlier blog...

Love
My boyfriend and I have been together for just over 2 years now, and our relationship is only getting better. I'm deeply grateful for the fact that I have finally found somebody who accepts me the way I am, somebody I can be myself with completely, somebody who shares my ideas on what an equal relationship is, somebody I can talk with, and somebody I genuinely want to be with. If it were up to me, we would take our relationship up to the next level, so who knows, it might just happen in 2009...

Family
Thank goodness everyone in the family is healthy and doing well. My little niece is now 1.5 years old and as cute as can be. My parents are enjoying their retirement and their new role as grandparents. My brothers and their partners are also doing well, what more can we ask for?

Health
Probably the only area that's a little troublesome. Still having regular, painful, eye infections. But in a way I'm getting used to them. According to the eye doctors I've spoken to there's nothing that can be done about them, and I should just sit it out.

House
Still love my new house... Even though I've had quite a few issues with it, including a gas leak this summer! At the same time my boyfriend and I have plans to move to a more quiet area of the Netherlands as soon as the market and our finances allow for it. But until that time I'm very happy to live here

Cats
My two cats are both happy in their new house. Tux has had a few health issues this year, but is now doing well. Roxy is becoming more and more affectionate which pleases me no end. She still doesn't like to be picked up, but she does come and ask for cuddles now. Tux is still as crazy as ever... They are my little babies and I hope to enjoy them for a long time to come...

Dancing
And then there is our dancing... which has taken off like a rocket this year. If you think that 2 years ago the last time I did any ballroom dancing was in a class during college, about 16 years ago, it's hard to believe that now we're doing competitions and even winning 1st places! But we are both loving it, and it's a great way to exercise and be together!

Well that's pretty much my 2008 summed up! All in all it has been a good year for me and my family. I hope it has been a good year for those who read this as well, and wish you all the best for a happy and healthy 2009!