Back to square one?

Terminating Contract...seemed absolutely just peachy when I was signing in back in September... I was just thrilled to have a job. Now, it is the end of my first year teaching and while celebrating a successful and joyful year, I can't help but think: "I am back to square one". Then, I wonder..."What does that phrase mean and where did the phrase originate?".
According to freedictionary.com it means:

"If you are back to square one, you have to start working on a plan from the beginning because your previous attempts failed and the progress you made is now wasted"

Geeze, kind of harsh?

Turns out, it is speculated that the phrase comes from board games like "Snakes and Ladders" (or "Chutes and Ladders"). Or, hop scotch. Get it? Square one, as in the first square of the game! Excellent...if life were a board game, I would be losing.

However, I must admit that the wait was worth it this year. I found a wonderful home at Endy for my first year of teaching and I spent it with the most fabulous fifth graders I can imagine. So, perhaps "back to square one" simply means that I am at the beginning of another exciting journey...I'm ready, I think!