It was like Georgia finally recognized December. Two nights ago, the temperature dropped so fast and hard that after I got off work that I was scrambling around my ancient apartment in my skirt and heels, fighting with rusty window frames to get everything sealed up.

Sitting in my favorite chair afterward, with Penny at my side and a cup of coffee to breathe in, I was so happy. For the first time in a long time, cold felt nice. I think winter and I may be coming to terms.

Ok, so I've really hated winter for four or five years now. One of my college admissions essays was about how I loved Indiana winter, but it was three quarters lies. I'll admit that I like parts of winter. Winter in the Midwest is painfully cold and long. It is also gorgeous and heartening. I mean, it's flat, where I'm from. The trees go black and leafless, and the snow coats the long smooth planes of fields, and everything is a charcoal drawing. It's starkly lovely. It's a sight I love waking up in my old bedroom to look over.

Speaking of the old bedroom, which is no longer mine, and my old journal, which deserves a proper burial, it's time for the year in review! Oh, 2006, the things you did to me, and the times we had. What follows is the first-ish sentence (or two) of the first entry for almost every month of the year. In March I couldn't be bothered. You understand.

January 21, 2006 - Oh, long silences. My winter break was marvelous.
February 12, 2006 - In the spirit of good timing, I've fallen in love with David at the edge of the "real world."
April 7, 2006 - Instead of seeing you, or typing to you, I've been:

1. Growing out my hair.
2. Getting a tattoo.
3. Going to movies.
4. Giving up my secrets. *
5. Turning my fan on and off.

*Everytime I tell someone, I feel simultaneously lighter and emptier. Something that was only mine is being taken away.

May 5, 2006 - I finished the last thing last night a 11:30. The last BA thing.
June 7, 2006 - On the eve of his 22nd birthday, Aden Draper received an emergency signal from the House of Awesome.
July 11, 2006 - I work at a glass palace called the Hurt Building.
August 1, 2006 - My grandfather died yesterday.
September 5, 2006 - It's been a month or so of major happenings.
October 31, 2006 - I had a truly magical Halloween experience.
November 1, 2006 - So, I'm 1,987 words into my novel, and I think it's going well.
December 4, 2006 - It was a good weekend in most respects.

It's been a good year in most respects. Let's do the count.

Undergraduate Degrees - 1
Deaths - 1
Dogs - 1
Boyfriends - 1
Jobs - 3
Pairs of Boots - 5
Trans-formative Near Death Experiences - 0
Halloween Costumes - 2
Lost Tubes of Lipstick - 8
Good Horror Films* - 1
Bad Horror Films* - 6
"Oh God, Oh God I'm Old" Adult Life Conniption Fits - 3, maybe 4
Plans for The Future - 3
Plans for The Future Approved by Committee - 1

That's the story of a year. I hope for magical things for all of us in these last 22 days.