Having school work due is a sure fire way to make sure that blogging, grocery shopping, and cleaning under the bed get taken care of.
Inspired by a friends blog, I reflected on 2010. With exactly 46 days remaining, there isn't much time to rally and achieve any goals I've left in the cold. All in all, I feel fairly confident with my progress. I could use improvement, but hey isn't that what setting goals is all about?
My major achievement of 2010 was going to Ghana in March. It was my first experience in Africa, and everything I thought it would be and more: eye opening, inspiring, sobering... I met some amazing people, saw amazing things, and I will cherish that experience forever.
I also returned to school to pursue a PhD in African Studies. With my first semester almost complete, my head is swimming with ideas for my dissertation, studying abroad, fulfilling language requirements (Yoruba) and future career objectives. It's a really exciting time, and I'm happy to be learning in a formal setting again!
Since travel is becoming more and more of a priority for me now, I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to travel to Amsterdam and Rotterdam within the Netherlands, and to Brussels in Belgium this past July. I was able to see great art museums, attend concerts, experience the return of the World Cup runner ups along the canals, try great beer and absinthe, check out a live sex show in the Red Light District, as well as various other experiences I will never forget. I also traveled to Vegas (NV) and Kiawah (SC) for the first time.
Other important things include: helping my friends celebrate their weddings and babies, spending time with my family, keeping my sanity in my ever challenging job, learning more about myself, reading, meeting new people, rekindling old friendships.
With the remaining 46 days of the year, I want to remember to appreciate exactly where I am right now. I find it difficult more days than not. I want to make new memories with my family and friends; spend time with my ailing, elderly dog; celebrate the life of a man (who as I type this is taking his last breaths) who was important to me; finish my first semester back with purpose; and plan (as much as I can) my goals for 2011 and beyond.
I hope not to gain ANY more weight that I will have to swear to work off in 2011.
1 comment:
Some people, it is said, live their lives in quiet desperation. Other people trade the joy and beauty of living life in accordance with their own hopes, dreams, and aspirations for lives proscribed by the rules and expectations set by others. Then, there are my kind of people -- people like you, Alexis -- who take life's setbacks as steppingstones toward new horizons. People like you, who look life in the eye and reach beyond its grittiness to its splendor. People like you, who seek life's highest and best and who, therefore, will not only walk in beauty, but become beautiful, inside and out. To read your blogspot, is to know, Alexis, how very special you are. I look forward to your impending greatness, and hope you will enjoy your journey toward your goals.
Post a Comment