A Look Back at the Last Decade

I’m a little late to the party with this one, but this is a post I’ve wanted to make since Dec., so I suppose it’s better late than never. With a decade of the 21st century behind us, I want to document some of my highlights from the past ten years. Join me, won’t you, on this little trip back in time.

1999 (I’m starting here, because this was when the past decade of time really started taking shape.)

• High school graduation. Go class of 99!
• My first full-time job (my parents wouldn’t let me work in high school) as a hostess at Crapplebee’s.
• I started college. Go Griffins!
• Cory and I met (at Crapplebee’s) and started dating.

2000

• The Westminster College campus is my new home. What a culture shock for this sheltered, naive girl. But SO worth it. I loved the dorm life!
• Feeling very grown up, I bought my first car, a 2000 Chevy Cavalier. I traded in the car my parents bought for me in high school, which was a 1996 Cavalier. Why I went from a Cavalier to another Cavalier, I’ll never know, but it was a good car.
• The harsh reality of the modeling industry became all too familiar. It’s not at all the glitz and glam it’s cracked up to be.
  

2001

• I decide I wanted to be an optometrist and declare biology as my major.
• Cory surprises me with a trip to Disneyland for my 20th birthday.
  

2002

• Cory gave me my sweet puppy, Kisses, as a Valentine’s Day present.
• I'm homeless for a few weeks when the 2002 Winter Olympics came to SLC and the athletes move into our dorms. Being a part of the Olympic magic was incredible!
• I stumble into a position as a secret shopper at the mall. Talk about the best job ever.
• After two stress-filled years, I read the writing on the wall and switch my major and minor around, and I start looking at different career paths in the communications field.
  
  
  

2003

• I get my first taste of the TV world with an internship at the local ABC affiliate.
• I graduate college with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications (minor in biology).
• Cory and I buy a house together, where we still reside today.
• I start a part-time PR position with McDonald’s and the Ronald McDonald House Charities, which leads to my gig as an “I’m Lovin’ it Lady” for Mickey-Ds. This job eventually turns into me working as Ronald McDonald’s personal assistant. Yes, this is a true story.
• I start my first “real,” full-time job, doing PR for Stampin’ Up! Little did I know at the time, but most first jobs aren’t that cool. I was very lucky to have landed with that company right out of the gate.
  

2004

• I start grad school.
• After four years together, Cory pops the question on a Florida vacation—such a memorable moment!

2005

• I'm hit with a severe case of mystery mono. It took two nights in the ER before they finally figured out what the heck was wrong. No fun.
• I can see clearly now, for the first time in my life, thanks to laser eye surgery.
• My purchase of Sally, a beautiful 2005 Mustang, allows me to cross “own a Mustang” off of my bucket list.
• Cory and I get married at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. One of the happiest days of my life!
• Aloha! Cor and I go on a Hawaiian cruise for our honeymoon. This was my first cruise, my first trip to Hawaii, AND my first (and only) honeymoon. Many amazing firsts for one trip. :)

2006

• Paper Crafts magazine offers me a job as an associate editor, so I say goodbye to the PR life and give editing a try.
• We celebrate my golden birthday with a trip on the Wendover Fun Bus to the Golden Nugget. Good times!
• Cory and I get our first taste of the Big Apple with a remarkable trip to NYC.
• After years of being told there was nothing wrong with me, I'm FINALLY diagnosed with narcolepsy. Both a happy and a sad moment for me—happy to have answers, and sad to learn that I have something that is without a cure.

2007

• One of my favorite people in the world, Sweet Gram, passes away.
• Cory and I add to our family when we adopted Jack, our crazy-but-loveable Jack Russell.
• After being a part of our family for 14 years (and growing up with me), Gumdrop, my darling kitty, passes away.

2008

• That’s What She Said,” my little blog, makes its debut.
• My career takes another positive step when I'm offered the senior editor position at Simple Scrapbooks magazine.
• Just call me Professor Meg. I accept a part-time teaching position with the University of Utah.
• Cory checks himself into rehab after being prescribed and taking serious pain medication for his back for nearly six years. I believe with all of my heart that this move saved his life.
• My dear mama is diagnosed with breast cancer.
• After nine fabulous months on the Simple team, I accept the position of creative editor for Creating Keepsakes magazine. The creative editor title had been a goal of mine for many years, so this was a very proud moment for me.
• Happiness on a String (http://www.happinessonastring.com/), a little jewelry company that my good friend and I own, is officially open for business!
  

2009

• Simple Scrapbooks magazine closes its doors. Very sad.
• Pop and I “run” (more of a walk, really) the Race for the Cure.
• I join two of my friends in a commitment to grow out our hair for Locks of Love. This is something we continue to work on today. (I think the big cut is drawing near.)
• My sweet sis-in-law is diagnosed with Leukemia. (On a positive note, she’s doing really well and is strong as an ox.)
• My high school reunion comes and goes; I didn’t attend. A mistake? Perhaps. But what’s done is done.
  

Good times with the Simple Scrapbooks team!

Today
Whew! I never realized SO much could happen in one short decade. Makes me wonder what the next ten years will bring. Looking at this list, I realize how up and down life really is. If there’s anything these experiences have taught me, it’s to cherish those ups and to learn from the downs. I’m proud of my list and the person its events have helped me to become. If you haven’t already done so, I suggest you make your own list. It’s a wonderful way to record your own unique moments and have proof that you were here, living your life, each and every up-and-down step of the way.

Cheers!