2009 in Review + No Photos

Inspired by a friend’s 2009 recap post, I looked at my calendar and previous blog posts to jog the memory. I was going to include photos to spruce the entry up a bit, but nah, you’ll just have to read through all this blah-blah-blah to find out the news I’ve been withholding… Please ignore the fact that I switch from present to past to present and back again…

January
We rang in the new year with a party at RV’s and then a party at our friend Matt’s place. It was the start of another “busy season” at work, and I would be racking up the hours. Keane and I decide to get a family plan together, so we purchase our iPhones. I also decide to refurnish my room with a loft bed, so that I’d have more space. Months later, it just gave me more room to expand my mess. :p I also flew a kite for the first time after many attempts in the month.

February
Even though it was the shortest month, it was filled with a lot of activities. I attended three Yelp-sponsored events: Burn the Floor, Tru Spa, Project One. RV and I celebrated Valentine’s at the Top of the Mark, and I was inspired by the wetness outside to purchase rain boots. I didn’t receive them until the following month, but I have no idea where they are NOW. My room is a black hole.

March
Sunny days began, so I took advantage of weekends when I could. It was still “busy season” at work, and while it was busy now, we knew it wouldn’t last. I started talking to recruiters in March to explore possible opportunities for someone with my experience. I didn’t seriously start my search though until April after the lay-off.

April
Mid-April seems to be the turning point of 2009 for me. I was laid off from a job that I had gone into right out of school. For four years and nine months, that was really all I knew. So I continue talking to recruiters and started looking online for both jobs and a new apartment for RV. His lease would be up in June. We head down to LA for a weekend for an “alter ego” birthday party, as well as Korean taco truck chasing and the Death Museum.

May
RV signed a new apartment lease, and we began moving his stuff over. It’s much smaller, but the location is nicer, and he’s living alone. It’s more convenient for the two of us in that sense, and since it’s centrally located, we can hang out with friends more easily. During the month, I interview with various companies, and it’s a frustrating process. It seems that the companies look to hire someone with a little less or a little more experience than me, but never the right amount. When Keane mentions wanting to take a quick trip to Fort Bragg and Fort Ross [both places neither of us have visited], I jump on it. It turns into an amazing weekend.

June
Still unemployed. By this time, my severance has run out. To keep my head above water, I kept my calendar full. I planned RV’s surprise party, which thanks to friends, was a success. He was definitely scared – hah. I also put together a birthday party at a local wine bar. Later in the month, we took a weekend trip up to Fort Bragg where we went crabbing and fishing. This was sort of where his obsession with fishing started…

July
I helped plan a benefit for the SF Food Bank called Pig Eat Fest, and it is successful! Meanwhile, I’ve been going to my orthodontist and dentist regularly. My teeth are ready for scheduling surgery, but the hospital isn’t ready to schedule anything for me. Figuring out COBRA puts my head in knots, but I finally figure it out. RV and I decide to go to Burning Man this year, but we want to take RV’s dad’s RV. To do so, I join him on a road trip to Oregon in this RV, and it turns out to be a very frustrating week. RV’s father is not an easy man to coexist with. Somehow, I survive the week…

August
We began preparing for Burning Man. I also learned about the All You Can Jet in August, and because it’s a difficult offer to resist, I buy a pass. Of course, the month couldn’t end without a hitch, so I find out that my house in Portland has caught on fire. Luckily, the damages aren’t too bad, but still, I have to deal with an incompetent insurance agent and all that fun stuff.

September
Burning Man! It’s awesome and fun, and I want to go next year. Of course, right before the week, I’m called in for a last-minute interview. It went well, so I had follow-up interviews… All this went down while I’m getting ready for Burning Man, and as I head out for the first stretch of my All You Can Jet travel. I end up only going to one place because I’m offered a position with the company. It’s on a temp-to-perm contract. Meanwhile, my surgery was scheduled for early October, so I go to my surgery pre-op. I then find out that someone messed up, and my surgery has to be moved due to scheduling conflicts. Not happy.

October
Birthday month! I’m at the new job, getting used to it all. I attended a Kylie Minogue concert because a friend had extra tickets; we were in the very last row, which worked out because we ended up dancing the whole time anyway. As usual, I am frustrated with the oral surgeon’s office. I’m given a December date, which is fine, but they decide to try for a November surgery date, only to find out later that it won’t be possible either. So back to December! We spent Halloween resting up because I over partied the night before. Oops. It’s also in this month that a former coworker of mine asks for a place to stay. Since I live at home with my parents, I ask a friend from high school who agrees… Little did we know, getting her out would be an ordeal.

November
I spent Thanksgiving at RV’s mom’s. Fun parties all month long led up to it, including a Festizishow and a post-Thanksgiving meal with friends. CPA exam on the last day of the month, which I didn’t pass [Found out today - Ugh]. Plus, I started volunteering at the SPCA. The year has not been an easy one, but I am ever so thankful for all that I’ve got.

December
Unusually cold temperatures, so we’re all keeping warm. I’m a fan of the holiday parties with warm and tasty alcoholic beverages. I decide to ask for advice on the blog regarding the former coworker who won’t get her shit together and move out of my friend’s place. I passed the responses on to him, and I think she’s finally out of his place!

As for other news, I’m in the process of closing on a house that I bid on earlier in the month. There was little mention of it before because I didn’t want to jinx it. You heard it here first. I’m buying a house! There’s so much involved though – financial documents, insurance, appraisals, blah blah blah!

I also have surgery coming up in a week and a half. During the early Christmas party at RV’s mom’s place, she gifted me with a care package of Ensure and bendy straws. LOL.

Fingers are crossed that this will ALL go down smoothly. It looks like I’m going into 2010 head first. Or perhaps face first. Hopefully, I will have a new house AND a job that I can call permanent to go with it. This temporary status just isn’t enough!

[Related]

1. Holiday Party Photos I think I looked better in my red...
2. Burning Man 2009 I am back from the Playa! [Update: Photos...
3. Moving. 088 – Move out of parents’ house. There...
4. WordCamp SF 2009 After the shenanigans of WordCamp 2008, will I...
5. Dating. Try as I may, I have not contacted...