In a couple of days, the world will embark on a new decade. We are in the future. The era of flying cars and escalators that take us up to floating buildings. At least that's what The Jetsons have predicted.
I guess the thing to do at this point is to reflect on the last ten years of my life to see where I've come from and how far I've gone.
I don't know. It seems like a good idea, but I hate the idea of looking back. There were a lot of empty spaces. A lot of holes. A lot of things I'd rather not reflect on. I really don't want to turn into a pillar of salt.
What can I really say about the last ten years? It was the best of times and it was the worst of times. Just like in A Tale of Two Cities.
In an effort to be somewhat symbolic, how about we call the first city the first decade of the 21st century? The second city can be the second decade. I know; I'm so deep and shit.
You know what? I will reflect ... but this time I'm keeping out all the bad things. That stuff can stay buried.
Things I have accomplished in the past decade - some without meaning to:
1) I collected four degrees that said I did this and that in university. I'm quite proud of those four pieces of paper. A lot of hard work went into it and I'm proud of myself for going against the grain and doing what would make me happy and not what was expected of myself.
2) I got a permanent teaching position. I know this may not seem like a big deal, but considering the working climate these days, it is huge. I have friends who are still doing contractual work. I'm grateful that I have a secured position.
3) I've been artistic. From creating custom-made invitations (each one hand painted) for my niece and nephews birthday parties, finishing an oil painting, a charcoal print, creative writing, knitting a scarf and dabbling in crochet ... I have been doing my best to nurture the creative juices that flow within me. I'm no Michelangelo or Shakespeare. But I do what I can with the talent that I've got and that is good enough for me. By giving myself new challenges, whether they turn out to look pretty decent or as if my 3 year old niece made it, I know that that side of me will never die.
4) I have been contacted by a Harper Collins editor as well as a Random House editor so that they could send me two books. Hey, a free book is a free book. And with my love of reading, I definitely make a dent in my wallet for all the books I buy. But to me, it's more than a free book. I've also been contacted by an author (a budding one) who wanted me to review his book. It may seem like free books to an outsider, but to me it's an opportunity for something more. I don't know how else to explain it ... I just know that these contacts will help play a role for me sometime in the near future. Call it a hunch.
4.1) I was approached to have one of my tweets was featured in the book Twitter Wit! And only a month or so after I went back to Twitter. It was pretty damn cool, I must say. Still is.
5) I have traveled. A tour of Southern Italy, Vancouver, New York (twice) and Greece. It's not much, I know. But it's a start. And I plan on adding many more destinations to that growing roster of places I've been to in the world. Just to kind of put it out there (wink, wink), I plan on visiting other places in Canada, including Montreal and I would love to explore the East Coast. Other cities in the US include, but are not limited to, Chicago, Miami, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Bahston and Seattle. Other countries include Australia, New Zealand (I'm there, it'd be a shame not to), France, England, Spain, Portugal, Ireland. Jamaica. Cuba. China, Japan. I'm getting giddy just thinking of it. I plan on crossing off a lot of these destinations in the next decade to come.
6) I've ended many friendships that were poisonous to my health.
7) I've gained numerous friendships that I hold dear to my heart.
It's not a long list, but it's mine.
Things I plan on accomplishing in the next decade:
Living a happy life. A fulfilling and healthy life. Smiling more than crying. Creating new friendships. Making a home for myself. And my own family -- one day. Taking it a day at a time. Being more trustworthy. Having faith that things will happen in their own time. Believing.
2010.
To infinity ... and beyond!
7 hours ago
