Really Makes You Think

Today I found out that a sorority sister of mine, Emily, has been battling brain tumors for over a year and may lose the battle quite soon.  This really upset me not because we are close (because we are not) but because we could have been close and I missed an opportunity to have an amazing person in my life.  Her mother passed away while we were in college—about a year before my father passed away (or it may have even been the same year).  She reached out to me and kept reaching out to me because she knew that I was in pain.  However, I was not in the place to talk about my dad or to deal with his death.  In fact, I delayed it until after graduation almost 9 months later.  Because I did not want to talk about my father, I avoided Emily even though all she was trying to be was there for me.  Hearing about her battle with cancer really woke me up.  My father passed just over 5 years ago and during those 5 years I have lost touch with many of my girlfriends from the sorority—to my detriment.  It hurts me to think that such a lovely person has gone through such pain and in the face of it, stayed positive (as I've heard from other friends of ours) and lovely throughout.  I can only hope that I would have as much grace through such a difficult time.

At any rate, it got me thinking about this next year.  2010.  It sounds so science fiction, but yet here we are.  Just saying "2010" makes me want to make this year the best year I've had and to make it better than the year before because for whatever reason it sounds like it should be a big deal.  Plus, hearing about Emily made me want to make it a big year for her.  I feel weird saying that because we aren't that close, but I feel like she would like it.  I'll just project those feelings on to her in any event.  So I decided to come up with the not-so-original-title of "10 Goals for 2010."  Some of them are things that I've been meaning to do and some are things that I really should do.  These things are too BIG to be mere resolutions—mostly things like flossing and washing my face every night are relegated to that list.  So here they are in no particular order:

10 Goals for 2010

1. Teach a yoga class: I am a certified yoga instructor.  I have been a certified yoga instructor since 2007 and yet have not taught a class outside of my Yoga training.  It honestly scares the bejesus out of me—I don't like to be in front of groups of people, but it would force me to start up my yoga practice again (I was going 5 times a week before law school).  It would also force me to do something outside my comfort zone (read: growing experience) and potentially make some money too.

2. Learn a new language: I've studied French, German, and Japanese but am not fluent in any of those languages.  This is mostly because I just couldn't find a reason to become fluent.  There's nothing in my life drawing me to Europe or Japan and thus it was hard to dedicate the time to learn them better.  This summer while working at my firm, I noticed that they do a lot of business in South America.  I also think that Spanish is an increasingly important language to learn so that is my goal.  Learning Spanish this year. (This goal may overlap with 2011 just because I'll be studying for the bar until the end of July making learning a language pretty difficult).

3. Actually read 10 non-law books.  I normally listen to books on tape (well, CD but it doesn't sound as catchy).  I listen to books (fiction and nonfiction) while driving to school, working out, longer car rides and chores around the apartment.  It's fulfilling but feels a bit like cheating.  I just finished a book that I started over a year ago so this is a pretty ambitious goal for me.  I find that instead of reading before bed (like I did before moving in with my husband) I stay up watching a rerun of Star Trek (shown every weeknight from 11pm-midnight on channel 12).

4. Finish all my lingering scrapbook projects (6): I have scrapbook projects (read: boxes of crap) from high school, college, weddings, family events, etc.  I have boxes and boxes of scrapbook paper and doo-dads and yet have yet to finish a single scrapbook! That is a bit of hyperbole—I did finish a scrapbook after my post-graduation trip to Italy but that was over 5.5 years ago so I figure it doesn't count anymore.

5. Learn how to play a song on the guitar: My husband is a great guitar player.  Granted since starting grad school (5 years ago) he has not had much time to play.  We have 3 guitars in the apartment (2 electric and 1 acoustic).  I feel like I should take advantage of this and learn at least one song.  That way I can say "I play the guitar."  It could be a fun party trick...

6. Reconnect with at least one good friend a month: This one is pretty self-explanatory.  I find that law school can be very isolating.  You get in your bubble and just forget about the outside world.  Last week, I caught up with 2 close friends (B. and my MoH) and talked to each for over an hour!  It was much overdue and I am going to try to continue that trend.

7. Tell my loved ones how much I love and appreciate them whenever I have the chance: This one is also self-explanatory.  I did a good job with this after Dad died but Emily's situation has reminded me to make a more concerted effort with this.

8. Master my favorite Grandma dishes: Erik's Polish grandmother makes the best authentic Polish dishes—our favorite of which are Mushroom Soup (E's fave) and Beet Soup (my fave).  Other runner-ups are Pirogi and Horseradish Soup.  My goal is to learn how to cook them and master them since we'll be moving far away from the family this year.

9. Get in the best shape of my life: This sounds like a NYR but really it's more than that.  I want to get in great shape and stay that way—not because I'll look better (although that's a bonus) but because I'll feel better.  Also, I'll only have class 3 days a week so I have to do something else with my time, right?

10. Try snowboarding: Erik will love this one.  He's been trying to get me to try snowboarding for years.  I've resisted because I'm terrified that I'll fall and break something important (like a wrist or neck).  I'm also worried because I'm not at #9 yet.  In fact, I'm pretty much in the worst shape of my life (well, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration but I'm not in great shape).  We'll see, maybe I'll love it and Erik can tease me about all the missed opportunities for snowboarding that I've let pass me by.

Not quite as ambitious as 52 Adventures but it's a start.