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“Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience.” ~ Paulo Coelho
Hey y'all,
2009 is quickly coming to an end and I gotta say, in my 32 years of life, I have never wanted to say goodbye to a year so badly. This year has been painful for me. I was humbled and taken down to my knees, and not in a good way! LOL This time last year, I left a $21/hour job and have since been unemployed, hoping to find a job in social services. My next job WILL be in social services/public health and I am not settling for anything else. I barely have money these days, but I won't be like so many of my friends = bored and jaded at a job they hate. I know I will look back on this year with gratitude in the new year, thankful for the struggle and will see how much stronger I am because of it. Now, let's get to the good stuff. There were 3 significant things that I consider "Best" that happened to me personally, plus a few books, albums and movies that I loved! Let's start with my 3 best!
                
Despite the financial hardship of 2009, I will NEVER forget my June in San Francisco. It was only 4 short weeks, but I swear to God it felt like a lifetime. It will hold me for now. As much as I like Vancouver, it will never be home. My heart belongs to San Francisco and has since I was a teen. I plan to settle in SF, one day. I am waiting for the right time, right situations. I know I can't just run off there, with no plan. Anyways, June was my favorite month of all 2009. I first went to SF in 2008 and got working for Brandon & Jacque (pictured above) @ Dept. of Public Health. I got some work from them in June as well. I hope to work for them, long term, when I do move back to SF.
I also got the chance to spend all of June on my social best. I had been able to connect and meet so many SF friends from Facebook so along with seeing friends like David, Alan and others I met in '08, I met so many new friends, most noteably, Ryan & Ernesto. I hope my friendship with them continues to grow. They have been there for me, like true friends. They make me love San Francisco even more. June in San Francisco = the best trip I took in 2009!
There have been days this year, where I didn't think I wanted to get out of bed. All I want is to find meaingful work in social services. My plans are to go to college next September to study Child & Youth Care, but in the meantime, I must find meaningful work, that is my only goal. I did find something rewarding this year. I started volunteering @ Covenant House Vancouver in August 2009. My volunteer work has amplified my desire to become a youth worker and I have dedicated my life to working in social services. I love the youth and I love every Friday when I go in to volunteer. I just recently applied for an office admin job there. It would be a dream come true to get a paid job there, so my fingers are crossed! This volunteer work has been my saving grace, in many ways!
I finally got my own place, after 12 years of roommates. I have always wanted to live alone, but finally in October 2009 I got my wish. It is a small, yet very cozy place, in Vancouver's West End (the best neighborhood in Vancouver)! It feels like my own and this makes a world of difference. I love being in my own space, no roommates and total privacy. It is my own little private safe haven away from the world. I've been on government assistance since April. My rent is $560/month and they only give us $610/month so things are tight, but I wouldn't give up my place for the world. I still feel pretty lonely in Vancouver. I am just not connecting with this city, even after 12 years. I know its cuz a big part of me will always be in SF, but for now, I am so, so, so grateful I have my own place to call home.
Here are the best books, movies and music that I loved in '09. Note: some items on this list came out before 2009, but if I discovered and loved them this year, they are here!
         
I loved these books. I loved the movie Precious, which was based on the above book called 'Push' by Sapphire. It was a good year for reading!
           
I saw a lot of movies @ home w/ money being tight. My ex taught me the fine art of downloading movies for free. These were my faves though, espcially (again) Precious!
         
I am a big 'singles' guy. I like one song by an artist, but perhaps not their whole album. For example, Precious movie inspired a single by Mariah Carey called '100 Percent'. That song so touched me. Also, after 10 years, Sade is releasing a new album in February 2010. Her first single Solider of Love rocks my world so I include it here. I can't wait for her whole album in 2010!
So there you have what I was most entertained by in 2009. I am so joyously hopeful for 2010 and the NEW decade that is beginning. I feel 2010 will see me becoming very successful and even more stable. What I hope most for is a settling down in San Francisco, but we shall see what the new year brings. As always, comments are welcome! O..one last thing. This was my Asian hottie (filipino star, Joem Bascon) for the year! hehehe xo ~ T.
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