While I didn't actually leave NJ till March, I actually made the announcement(to the few people I actually told) that I was moving exactly a year ago this week. So this seemed like a good time to check back in.
(I wrote this blog while listening to the 40th anniversary edition of 2112, and this song seemed pretty relevant, so I decided to include it.)
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When last I updated the blog, I had just started a new job and I was pretty excited about it.
That excitement didn't last long once I was done with training. The job paid really well, but it wasn't worth the 12-14 hour days and unrelenting stress, so I quit and moved on after a few months.
Ever read/see "Death of a Salesman"? Yeah, it was a lot like that...
Regardless, the job paid really well, so I was able to take my time finding the right job for me the next time 'round. I've been at my current job for almost two months and I really love it. It's not a non-profit like I was looking for, but I still get to help people and I essentially get paid to solve puzzles all day long. It's great! I'll save the details till I've been there longer, but I work adjacent to healthcare now.
The commute is about two minutes longer, and the pay isn't as high, but I'm actually excited to go to work every day. I've never had a job like that before; it's awesome.
But that's just work, what about the rest of my life?
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When I left NJ I was depressed. I was miserable, and had been for years. Now? I'm happier than I've been since childhood. Things aren't perfect, of course, and I don't expect them to be, but I'm finally happy.
I've made a lot of good friends down here in various arenas. I'm gaming again, I've karaoke'd a few times, and I've experienced all kinds of exciting new things I never thought I'd try.
I finally got my ears pierced.
I started reading again.
I grew a big Santa beard.
I came out.
I lost some weight.
I experienced Christmas in a T-shirt because it was in the 70s that day in Austin.
My cleric is about to hit level 7.
It's all really exciting stuff... for me anyway... :P
So what's next?
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2017 will, hopefully, find me continuing on the same trajectory I've been on for the last year.
I want to continue to lose weight and read. I want to learn more and more at the new job and really make my mark there. I want to start saving money like an actual adult.
And I want to visit my old friends back in Jersey.
In mid-May my baby sister Courtney is getting married. I'll be back in town for about a week and I want to see as many of you as I can while I'm there. So leave a spot in your busy calendars to pencil me in, please. ^_^
Anyway, it's New Year's Eve, and I have some celebrating to do.
Here's to the year that was, and hopefully we can all share in an awesome 2017!
-Jordan
