If you've been keeping up with this sporadic journal, I'm sure you'd have to agree with me that it's been one roller-coaster of a year. As much as I look forward to it ending, I have a feeling that things will only get crazier as the years pass. Perhaps it's something I just have to get used to with age. ^^; Just looking at my calendar for next month, I kinda wish time *would* slow down, just a bit. ^^;
So, looking back on the year:
+ Working on nemu*nemu as my full-time job has been very rewarding in so many ways. Stressful, but I've learned a lot this first year. I know I have a lot more to learn.
- Surgery and hospital visits galore. KS and I are sick of hospitals. SRSLY. I never get answers anymore, just meds and get told to drink a lot of water and "take it easy".
+ Being married 1 year and counting. Always a learning experience. XD I think I've successfully made KS clinically crazy with all the H!P and Steely Dan music I listen to on repeat... (I can't help it - I can listen and work with it playing and it doesn't necessarily distract me. ^^;;;)
- Overall cost of living rises. Income not necessarily matching, but at least we're comfortable.
+ Having a better understanding how this self-employment business works. It's hard when I'm sick, tired, hurting, but I'm quickly learning how there's no such thing as a holiday. There's no one to take up the work when I'm out and nothing is worse than having to stress out to catch up and/or get ahead. But, it's also very satisfying to tell people that KS and I do all the work. That always seems to gain respect/acknowledgement from strangers who seem to think we're just bringing the "next big thing from Japan". o_o; (Does our stuff look THAT anime/manga to you?? Yeesh?!)
+ Getting to meet fans/friends and make new ones. It's weird how solitary this job can be, but to make a living off it, we have to be quite sociable. It's almost a necessity. That's a somewhat new experience for me. I can be pretty passive and get flustered easily in public. But doing public talks, workshops, panels... they've all really helped to get me more centered and focused. ^_^ (They're still not necessarily "easy", and I still get nervous, but I feel more comfortable now than a year ago.)
- My quarterly depo shot. I'm SO thankful that this is considered a medical necessity. I would NOT like to pay full-price for those things every 3 months. I'm on my 3rd shot and have 1) gained about 10 lbs since my surgery post-Fanime due to the frequent hunger pangs and for some reason I end eating more than usual to feel full, and 2) have had my monthly "visitor" turn into a freeloading squater that has not left for 4 months... (THE HELL.). At least I haven't had my frequent migraines, horrible cramps, and other problems since - so far.
- Family members passing away. Never easy.
+Travel was nice this year. Mostly familiar places and familiar faces, but familiar is comfortable and we always look forward to it!
2009 should be a pretty productive year. (Or at least I should be making it so!) XD
Today's Comic: Winter Break
Click on the preview to see the rest of the comic!
