2013 is a strange year to look back on.
I did finish my dissertation, but did not make any more trips nor even try to practice driving at all. (You wouldn’t believe I own a driving license legally.)
Still it was a year full of things I never did before:
- Most importantly, I quit my job for the first time. And consequently will be unemployed for the first time.
- I allow myself to be lazy. Really lazy. Which is new since I would usually feel guilty at that.
- I take a serious part-time job. This may sound odd after the previous sentence, but I need to make some money to support myself when I’m finally jobless. Though I only earn half of my current salary, it takes about a quarter of the current work time – a gain apparently.
- I went to political protests. Twice. Too many hate speeches for my liking.
- I read 22 books. First time I challenged myself and intentionally made time to read. Compared to 3 books in 2012, this is a progress.
- I spoke at a seminar. My writer friend came up with this idea and we did a joint project. The two of us held a seminar on fiction writing for 8 attendees. The feedback was quite well, so we are now planning the next course.
It was also a year I looked back on the distant past, who I was and who I am now.
Maybe because of what happened at work and my plan to go to the US soon. It’s like going home, back to a place I used to know. Though I was there for only 10 months, in many ways it was a turning point in my life. Back then it seemed like I knew what I wanted and was sure about myself – at least I thought I did. I didn’t care much about what other people thinks or their expectations – or pretended not to. I was selfish enough to ignore them. But that was 12 years ago and a lot happened in between. I might think more about this when I’m actually there.
Besides the US, I’m also going to Japan a week afterwards. Another friend got free plane tickets for this so it’s too good to say no. Obviously I’ve started saving every cent.
Other than that I have nothing in mind what I would do after April, but I couldn’t care less. No New Year’s resolution whatsoever. Except to enjoy life and read more maybe.
Hope it was a good year for you all. And Happy 2014. 🙂
But with or without you
My only plan is to be free
With or without you
I’m still meI’ll join a band and sing like a canary
Get out of here and change my name to Cherry
And every night I’ll thank Holy Mother Mary
I am a keeper
Oh I am a keeper baby
I am a keeper
nacrelet 