2011

This is the first year in a while where we haven't had a major family tragedy. It feels a little weird. But overall, how can I complain? My one goal for the year was to end it in a foreign country and I accomplished that. Everyone thought I was crazy when I decided to go on this venture but even though they thought that, they supported me. I know it's hard on my family and friends and it's hard on me to see that life actually goes on without me. But, I'm doing something I've always wanted to do. I'm still not sure exactly what my purpose is here. It's taking longer than I imagined to find my footing but I still think it was the right decision. I could've easily stayed in Southern California at my job and been content for the next 20 years but I like to shake things up, find new challenges, live outside my comfort zone. Moldova is a strange country and there are things I love and hate about it but at least it's something different. Something I never in a million years thought I would be doing. I like learning Russian and Romanian and seeing another culture and it daily reminds me just how lucky I had it growing up in the US. And i have this opportunity to travel. I mean when in my wildest dreams did I ever picture I would spend Christmas in the Czech Republic? Not to mention all these great new friends I have. I feel like I've known some of them forever and it hasn't even been a year. So if my one goal for 2011 was to change my life, meet new people and live in a foreign land, I think that I did pretty well.
Resolutions? Ugh. I hate that word. So I'll just say these statements:

• I hope to further my knowledge of the Russian language.
• I will never understand people who don't eat meat.
• I am glad to live in a culture where material wealth means nothing.
• I am SO glad I am not in the US for the upcoming election.
• This year I will go to a minimum of 4 countries I have never been to. As of right now, I have been to 10!
• I am not a drinker. Always been surrounded by friends and family who are and I'm just not and never will be. As I get older, I am distancing myself more from people who still think that is the only way to have a good time.
• I'm so incredibly glad I grew up in the 70's and 80's when there wasn't the technology that there is now. I never would've left the house and I would've completely missed out on childhood.
• I will NEVER understand when people are vacationing why they have to update everyone on what a good time they're having. GET OFFLINE AND GO OUTSIDE!!!!! I don't care if you're on your phone. Turn it off and have a conversation with a stranger for God's sake!
• I'm so grateful I don't have religion in my life.
• I like that I'm confident enough in myself at this age that I don't succumb to peer pressure and can just laugh at it. And yes, I still deal with it.
• I miss my family.

Hope 2012 is a great year for me and everyone I love.