Heh, it's been one hell of a year if I do say so myself. Looking back to over a year ago, I wouldn't have believed you if you told me half the things that happened would happen.

First and foremost, I never would have imagined being the owner and caretaker of all of these wonderful squeaky animals I've surrounded myself with. I've gone from being nervous about simply buying an intex gecko to having obtained 2 custom toys and a whole host of intex and jets (non lifelike) creatures. It was also a year where I openly talked about this odd love first to one of my best friends, and later to my mother (though I still don't think she "gets" it). I can finally say that I've come to terms with it myself for the most part. Heck, I managed to bring Barge to my old college campus and everyone seemed to love him. I must say, having these guys to come home to and love on is great. *hugs his squeakies*

Now for one of the more frustrating aspects of this year. I do have employment in the form of being a cart wrangler at ye olde wallyworld but it bugs me that I'm still stuck here nearly a year and half after graduating with a biology degree. It's almost as if no one needs a college grad for anything other than menial work these days. I've kinda learned to not get my hopes up about any job opportunities since there seems to be only disappointment down that road. I suppose I should be thankful for what I do have though as it did allow me to get some very nice things this year. It's just frustrating as all hell to be stuck back in my home town doing nothing more than cart wrangling. I suppose I'm just looking for something with a bit more meat to it.

This year has also led to me ending up on FA. Oddly enough the whole reason I even bothered to make an account was to ask a question about a certain big blue Barge draggy. Heh, I'm glad I did though since it's been nice mingling with all the toy lovers that inhabit this realm. Well that and seeing all of the squeak art. Mhmm. . . . squeaky draggies, horsies, and all manner of good things.

Now for some more forward looking things. Recently a friend of mine (who is perfectly fine with all of my squeaky weirdness) offered sharing an apartment in one of the larger towns here in Arkansas. If I can pull off a store transfer or find a better job, I'll probably go for it. I'd be in a similar job situation but living around more folks my age in a college town. I'd bet that would do wonders for my outlook on things (aka having more of a social life than coming home and cuddling squeaky animals, yep it's that bad here as there really isn't anyone around here to hang with).

As for goals for this 24th trip around the sun, I'm looking to be able to live on my own without financial assistance if I can finally get a decent job. Along with that is getting in on either Zenith 2.0 or the rerun if it all possible (I'd make it possible hehe). The Zenith is one of my dream toys so the potential to own something similar or get one via rerun is hella exciting. Finally, I hope to be a bit more social. I have this bad habit of disappearing for weeks on end and not keeping up with folks the way I should. This goes for both friends I've met here on FA and in "da real world".

Whelp, that just about sums up this year, minus all the gaming I've done hehe. I hope everyone has a merry (insert holiday of choice) and a happy new year!