My world revolves around four things: tea, writing, reading, and my fiancé, Joe. Each day I start by brewing and drinking a full pot of quality tea, then, sit down to do some personal writing (poems, stories, challenges), read some non-work-related material, and call Joe. Only then can I begin my work (writing/editing/teaching) in earnest. Most days of the year follow this pattern, though I also love going to the movies with Joe, going out to eat, or hanging out with friends. I take off on my birthday and Thanksgiving. Each year I grow a little more.

#year #challenge #prose

- Fell in like

- Made friends and lost those same ones

- Fought with my family; a lot

- Fell in love

- Was overtaken by a huanting, depressed feeling for nearly a month

- Did something I now regret

- Was given a new beginning by the end of that school year

365 days ago, I was called to my boss's office where he and a HR rep waited. The company lost over a billion dollars in revenue and adjustments needed to be made. The following day I informed my team their jobs were eliminated also.

The first 180 days, I was cheerleadering - keeping my team's spirits up, encouraging them to look for jobs as I did. Listening to them...letting them know someone was still listening.

The last 180 days are rewriting my resume and cover letters for jobs I'm over-qualified for and lowering my asking price. Being my own cheerleader

Travel - cars, planes (civilian, military), armored, unarmored.

Office - Desk, chair, computer; or, different states, hotel rooms, or; foreign country, command post, motorcade.

Equipment - Radio, earpiece, ballistic vest, sidearm, magazines, flashlight, Blackberry (yes, Blackberry!), suits, sunglasses; or, jeans, tee shirt, hat, running shoes.

Mission - protect personnel, property and information; or, solve puzzles, look for suspects, make arrests.

Family - Concerned, supportive, patient.

Friends - Impressed.

Me - Tired, but satisfied.