So it the end of 2012 and what a crazy year it has been. I thought 2011 was crazy, I had no idea how much things would change in the next year.
Work
In January 2012 I was relief staff for the center for disability services and was starting an internship at Burst Marketing. This was an amazing opportunity that helped me to get into my desired field of web development. After 3 months there I was offered a job as an assistant project manager and I accepted, I had no idea what I was getting into. It was hard, I didn't realize how much customer service was involved in it. I think I was happiest when I got to code and program. I am so thankful to Mike McKasty and Alex Vasilaskos for the opportunity there. I didn't last long as a project manager, it is a super stressful job, and I have no idea how Alex has done it for so many years. I do miss all of my friends at burst, Natalie and Chris K trying to kill me over coffee, Tomeck talking soccer, Tony Vendetta and our convos about being a dad, Andy and our ridiculous conversations, and Chris White terrible jokes that I miss. And Ben calling me stupid and shooting me with darts, Alyssa and the fun we had laughing the the bad clients, Lisa with her sage wisdom, and wendy with her honest talks. Alomst forgot venting to Dan in the dev cave.
In October I left burst, a few weeks later I accepted a job with the NYS Small Business Development Center, as a programmer. I have to say getting to code all day and work with SQL has been more fun than I could ever imagine. When I was in college I thought I would never work a desk job in my life, it just wasn't for me. Here I am at 29 working as a programmer and loving it. The first few months have been rough, I have been sick twice and was out another week for the birth of my daughter. I want to thank Al Scher and Brian Goldstien for the opportunity to do this as a job and get paid for it.
Family
In 2011 I married Barbara Sheufelt (now Frederick) and it has been great. I was listening to the radio and they said 75% of relationships are toxic where the couples fight all the time. I have to admit, that is not my marriage. We do fight, don't get me wrong, but it is not constant. She is way smarter than me and walks away from stupid arguments.
So its no surprise now, but in February we decided to try and have a baby. Our friends Dave and Asya had a little boy and we decided we were ready to have a child. Let me just tell you, Barbara did not like being pregnant. (Actually I'm not sure many women do!) but after 9/10 months Evelyn Marie Frederick was born on election day, november 6th 2012. She cost us so much sleep, and you know what, she is totally worth it. She recognizes my voice now and it is one of the most amazing feelings in the world.
School
This has been one of the hardest parts of the year. I am finishing a degree in Information Sciences so that I have a related degree for the future. It has been tough to work, go to school and be a full time husband, and now dad. Here's the thing, this is one of those delayed pay off things. Its an investment in my families future. I know right now, its not gonna make a huge difference but in the future when a job asks do you have a CS or similar degree I will be able to say yes!
I started out the year with a quote from florence and the machine, "shake it off, shake it off, when the devils on your back, so shake him off" I feel its appropraite to end this year with a quote from one of my new favorite bands Imagine Dragons, the song entitled "On top of the world"
"‘Cause I’m on top of the world, ‘ay
I’m on top of the world, ‘ay
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I’ve been waiting to smile, ‘ay
Been holding it in for a while, ‘ay
Take it with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
I’m on top of the world."
I never imagined that this year would be so hard and productive all at the same time. Here's to an even better 2013!
