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christinedaaeRumors of my demise, if any, have been greatly exaggerated.
I sincerely apologize (again!) for falling into the proverbial pit and ceasing to exist here on DW. Ever since the death of my grandfather, nothing has seemed quite... real, to be truthful. I've spent so much time either trying to keep busy or battling illness that it's been daunting; whatever spare time I have has been thrown into my creative projects or playing a bit too much Baldur's Gate 3, if such a thing exists. (Naturally, I have romanced Astarion! And just as naturally, my character is a Cleric of Ilmater, which is absolutely what I would be if I existed in DnD world).
This has been quite the year for me in so many ways. I am filled with gratitude topped with bits of regret here and there (which I am assured happens to us all). Still, what an incredible year it has been in many ways!
At the end of 2022, I was struggling horribly. I had found out that I was losing my university teaching job at the beginning of the year, and until April of *this year*, I was either unemployed or only working part-time, desperate to survive
I also told my ex-husband I wanted a divorce in October of that year.
Learning to be your own person again after sharing a life so intimately with another human being isn't an easy feat, no matter how amicably or not the relationship ended. Although it didn't happen at the beginning of 2023, it still shaped the entire year for me in many ways, most of all emotionally.
Still, that wasn't the only change. In April, so many things finally began to look up. I was fully employed again (3 part-time jobs, but finally making a salary that was livable). Of course, I was VERY in the red from being mainly unemployed from Feb 2022 to April 2023, but I still survived (somehow). I began singing lessons again, which anyone who knows me understands how *deeply* being able to sing truly means to me. For ten years I was unable to do so, and finally returning to lessons is a blessing I desperately needed. (I am so very excited and nervous for my recital in February!)
I regret that I haven't done much with kimono since losing my university job; I have been too busy trying to survive, and the schedule I have at my current job(s) doesn't allow me to go to kimono school right now and keep my skills up. I sincerely hope I can go again in 2024. The same apples for Miko school; I finished the beginner and intermediate training as a Shrine Maiden, but given how destitute I was in 2022 and having to spend 2023 catching up, I couldn't even go to review sessions or participate in any activities with other Miko and Miko-in-training.
I am filled with hope that things are finally looking up again; I want to start out 2024 truly financially secure so that I can return to the things I have dedicated my life to, and embark further on projects I needed to set aside in order to attain financial stability and keep a roof over my head.
Although they aren't here on DW, I want to thank everyone who helped me out, who saw what happened when I lost my job, when I walked away from my ex-husband, and so many things behind the scenes I haven't spoken about publicly on social media. I am forever in your debt, and I pray to one day pay it forward.
In 2024, I wish for more stability and peace, to improve my health even more (I am amazed at how much stronger I've become physically this year, mainly because of one of my jobs), and to become the person I know I can be even more, and I wish that for all of you also.
I sincerely apologize (again!) for falling into the proverbial pit and ceasing to exist here on DW. Ever since the death of my grandfather, nothing has seemed quite... real, to be truthful. I've spent so much time either trying to keep busy or battling illness that it's been daunting; whatever spare time I have has been thrown into my creative projects or playing a bit too much Baldur's Gate 3, if such a thing exists. (Naturally, I have romanced Astarion! And just as naturally, my character is a Cleric of Ilmater, which is absolutely what I would be if I existed in DnD world).
This has been quite the year for me in so many ways. I am filled with gratitude topped with bits of regret here and there (which I am assured happens to us all). Still, what an incredible year it has been in many ways!
At the end of 2022, I was struggling horribly. I had found out that I was losing my university teaching job at the beginning of the year, and until April of *this year*, I was either unemployed or only working part-time, desperate to survive
I also told my ex-husband I wanted a divorce in October of that year.
Learning to be your own person again after sharing a life so intimately with another human being isn't an easy feat, no matter how amicably or not the relationship ended. Although it didn't happen at the beginning of 2023, it still shaped the entire year for me in many ways, most of all emotionally.
Still, that wasn't the only change. In April, so many things finally began to look up. I was fully employed again (3 part-time jobs, but finally making a salary that was livable). Of course, I was VERY in the red from being mainly unemployed from Feb 2022 to April 2023, but I still survived (somehow). I began singing lessons again, which anyone who knows me understands how *deeply* being able to sing truly means to me. For ten years I was unable to do so, and finally returning to lessons is a blessing I desperately needed. (I am so very excited and nervous for my recital in February!)
I regret that I haven't done much with kimono since losing my university job; I have been too busy trying to survive, and the schedule I have at my current job(s) doesn't allow me to go to kimono school right now and keep my skills up. I sincerely hope I can go again in 2024. The same apples for Miko school; I finished the beginner and intermediate training as a Shrine Maiden, but given how destitute I was in 2022 and having to spend 2023 catching up, I couldn't even go to review sessions or participate in any activities with other Miko and Miko-in-training.
I am filled with hope that things are finally looking up again; I want to start out 2024 truly financially secure so that I can return to the things I have dedicated my life to, and embark further on projects I needed to set aside in order to attain financial stability and keep a roof over my head.
Although they aren't here on DW, I want to thank everyone who helped me out, who saw what happened when I lost my job, when I walked away from my ex-husband, and so many things behind the scenes I haven't spoken about publicly on social media. I am forever in your debt, and I pray to one day pay it forward.
In 2024, I wish for more stability and peace, to improve my health even more (I am amazed at how much stronger I've become physically this year, mainly because of one of my jobs), and to become the person I know I can be even more, and I wish that for all of you also.
