9 In '09

I am not someone who can ever set and follow through on a New Year’s resolution, although in 2008 I managed to accomplish all my goals (1. Get out of Cleveland 2) Get a job 3) Move out of Dusie's house 4) Get my cat back). I was rereading my archives and wow, was this a good year. I am so happy now.

But inspired by Lisa S.’s old yearly project lists, I have came up with 9 In ’09. They are interconnected but distinct projects that will hopefully focus me into new stratospheres of awesome.

In no particular order,

1) Learn Spanish (as well as I can)
I actually took Spanish for 5 years and got a 3 on the AP. That is amazing as even at the time, I knew I did not speak any sort of Spanish. The problem is my high school had lofty ideas about immersion and learning through conversation, reading, and doing skits. So we were all solid on the past , present and future tenses, but all other forms of grammar were a mystery. Poor Mrs. O’Hara, how her head exploded when she realized the Spanish IV class did not know the subjunctive tense and when to use it.

I knew Spanish would probably be necessary for library work, but I honestly did not have the cash or time or mindspace to begin to devote to it. And now in my new career in a new region, it will be even more important.

The plan for this is start with the Coffee Break Spanish free podcasts, then hit the community college classes, and save up to eventually go to Spanish camp down in Belize. I have a bunch of these programs bookmarked—they’re all cheap aside from airfare (and you can get there easier from here!) and it’s pretty much you live with a family and go to Spanish school in the am and go wander in the afternoon. My mom would go with me.

2) Find a physical hobby I like well enough to do at least weekly.
All of my hobbies are either domestic (cooking, inviting people over), solitary (reading) or online (blogging and writing). I need to get out of the house and do something that doesn't use the brain so much.

3) Find an intellectual hobby.
I think I might wind up taking up math with a vague goal of going back to grad school. Maybe. Don’t hold me to it.

4) Do well at work.

5) Use my health insurance.
I haven't had it for 2 years, oh and man, I need to use it while the using is good.

6) Learn how to do my nails.
I like Emmy and go to Mesa often, but it would just be nice to have this critical piece of girlness down.

7) Break ties with Cleveland.
Meaning give up on the house, stop reading the blogs of people the place works for, and the people for whom it doesn’t but who enjoy whining and romanticizing it. It’s Over. It Didn’t Work Out. The End.

8) Stop identifying as a librarian.
Again, It’s Over. It Didn’t Work Out. The End. Stop reading the blogs. Finish the critical pieces you promised people and let go. Truthfully, I’m not even sad about it.

2008 was marked by 2 things--people extended a hand and I took it, and I actually got a clue about what happy looks like and the idea that life doesn't have to be a constant struggle. I'm rereading The Shadow and the Star and taking to heart Dojun's teaching--"Don't fight against. Always go with." (Oh, shut up. Good advice is good advice, whether it's out of a romance novel or the Bible or off a cereal box.) Happy New Year everyone!