As Boston is currently being hammered by a lovely storm of snow and wind, this seemed like an excellent time to compose a navel-gazing year-end blog post that so neatly ties a bow on 2009.
For me, 2009 was an enlightening year. I overcame personal stagnation by embracing new interests, talents, and possibilities:
I got a new job at a company that I can see myself staying at for many years to come, working with terrific people for a noble cause: Literacy. I mean, fuck yeah! I love literacy, and here I mean, helping people attain it through software. It makes getting out of bed at 6am almost worth it.
Because I got a new job, I had to get a new car, and my crazy husband made us buy one with a manual transmission. I’ve dabbled in stick-shift before — my father taught me once, and in college I was in a student film that required me to drive some kid’s stick-shift car while yelling at a passenger — but here I bought a shiny new car and had to learn how to drive all over again. And after about two months, I can now drive without freaking out every time I come to a red light. In 2009, I have mastered the stick-shift!
In 2009, I stopped jogging and started yoga. And my body is stronger and more bendy for it.
After a 14 year hiatus, I picked up the viola again, and in two weeks I’m joining the community orchestra. (Cover your ears, Boston!)
And after a 19 year hiatus, I dove into a swimming pool again to start swimming regularly twice a week.
Way back in March, I learned how to downhill ski. Given the four years of preparation with cross-country skiing, this was more a mental feat than a physical feat, but still, one’s reluctant mind is no small obstacle to overcome when contemplating descending a snow-covered slope with blade-like sticks strapped to the feet.
Yes, 2009 was a great year, with my only real goal failure being my French language acquisition. Well, it’s progressing. I haven’t forgotten any words, at least. And since I’ll bring in 2010 surrounded by French people, I have high hopes for my French in the next year.
