I started writing these yearly round up posts at the end of
2007, which makes this my 6th year-in-review write up. (Is that even
possible?) And while sometimes I look forward to the task, other years I have a
hard time summing up the year, creating homework out of a hobby. However, these
yearly wrap ups are not necessary for today but for tomorrow. When re-reading
about the years past, I have never regretted that I took the afternoon to
reflect and remember where my life was or where I wanted it to go. So let’s get
this started shall we?
My dear friend Louise wrote a “Year In Review” on her blog in the form of a time capsule. I immediately thought, “This is brilliant! and
exactly why we are best friends.” So for my yearly round up, I too, shall
create a virtual time capsule. A small box it will be, hand carved of rich
mahogany, and will contain personal memories, snaps of pop culture and world
events.
First off, my time capsule would be a music box and when
opened, the pinnacle of Whitney Huston’s “I will always love you” would play.
You know the part. RIP girl.
To eat, I would place a Hostess Cupcake and a pack of
Donettes in remembrance of the great snack brand that went out of business in
2012. I am sure they will taste just as delicious when they are opened in the
future as they do today.
In my box, I would place the face of a synchronized swimmer,
the ass of Misty May Turner and one of Gabby Douglas’ hair clips to remind me
of the 2012 Olympics. I firmly believe that for the 16 days the Olympics are
televised, you should watch them. Yes, I am that guy who Tivos handball
matches. I only watch swimming and track once every 4 years, yet I was
screaming at the television like I had serious investments in the winner. It is
a slight relief when they are over though, so I can go back to not feeling
guilty about not watching Canoeing.
The world did not end so maybe just a calendar of 2013 in
there.
I would bottle up an afternoon at home with Lola. She is
funny, smart and adventurous and developing into her own personality. I love
it.
I would write the prayer, “come lord Jesus, come” which was
constantly on my mind and tongue on December 14, 2102, when 20 children and 6
adults lost their lives at an elementary school shooting in New Town, Connecticut.
Other events that took place in 2012 include being approximately 50 feet away from Thom Yorke himself when
we saw Radiohead live and to my honest shock and amazement, America voted
President Barak Obama to a second term after defeating Mitt Romney in the 2012
Presidential election.
My box is getting heavy. Real heavy. And while I bury it in
the virtual ground, I think about what I want to be in my time capsule this
time next year. As most resolutions go, mine include health, personal and
spiritual improvements.
I want to work out 4 times a week. I know this is probably
not going to happen as life gets in the way, but out of the 52 weeks in a year,
if I can work out 4 times a week for 25 weeks, I will consider that a
success.
I want to stop eating so horribly after I get off work in
the mornings. If I must eat, have something like cereal, a granola bar or a
piece of fruit. Once again, being a realist, I know this is not going to happen
every week, so I am allowing myself one cheat day every 2 weeks.
No soda! Eek!
I want to read through the entire Bible in 2012.
As a family, I would like to save $50 a week, which is $200
a month, adding up to $2,400 in savings for 2013. This is completely doable for
us. It may take some discipline and limiting the crap we buy but isn’t that
kind of the point?
As with every year in review post, I take a look back at the
resolutions I made and how I measured up to the expectations I previously set
for myself. One of my resolutions from last year was to limit my crafting and
spend more time with Lola. It may seem silly, but I think I was trying to keep
up with the Jones’ and crafting because, “That’s what young moms do!” I
definitely limited my crafting in 2012, except for around the holidays, which is exactly what I needed.
I wanted to write more. I did enter a piece I wrote into a
contest and wrote 11 blog entries this year but that’s about it.
I did not buy a Vespa and I am not happy about it. I still
turn green every time I see one. I’m not sure if it’s the price tag, the
ridicule I get from friends or the threat of death from my mother that is
stopping me. Whatever the reason for not buying a Vespa in 2012, it was a lame
one. I still want a Vespa and probably always will.
I did participate in Lent and plan on doing this every year.
It is such a great spiritual practice and I am lucky to go to a church that
acknowledges and encourages participation in this important time during the
church calendar.
I prayed for patience at my job and while I am still at
Menorah, the winds of change are blowing and I need guidance more than ever on
which direction to take. Many options are possibly presenting themselves this
year along with new desires to work in areas of nursing I never thought I would
be interested in (addiction specialist? children’s hospice care? Who am I?) I
need the Lord to make available and clear the path he wants me to take and when
to take it. I need courage to not be afraid and step out in faith. He has
always worked out the details and I am confident he will again.
I wanted to participate in races throughout the Metro, and
while I did a few, I did not reach my goal of 7. At the end of November, I
decided to take a break from running, as it was becoming something I loathed
and did out of obligation instead of an enjoyable form of exercise. I
started taking a bodypump class, cycling, swimming and getting back into yoga which has
been the exact change of pace I needed.
Resolutions may seem silly but I have to believe that any
time someone has the ambition to improve themselves, whether it be financially,
physically or spiritually, it’s a good thing. Ultimately in 2013, I want to
find this weird balance between self-discipline and self-improvement without
being too hard or critical on myself for being someone I am not. 2013 is going
to be a great year. I can feel it.
This post makes me so happy. Way to keep with the tradition! Great read love!
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