It's New Year's Eve. Tonight we'll be playing games and waiting for the arrival of a brand new year. I have learned that you never know what will come with a new year. There have been plenty of moments where I wait expectantly for something at the beginning of a new year, thinking "THIS will be the year...", only to find myself at the end of that year wondering why things didn't change or come to be in the way I had thought they would. On the flip side, there have been years that have started out one way, then ended with a few twists and turns that I never saw coming. In either case, trying to predict what will happen, or anticipate the unexpected, is tricky business.
So here's to trying to embrace life one day at a time, scheming less, and not missing out on what God might have in store for me, no matter how "out of the box" it might seem. I mean I live in Africa, that's already putting me outside of a lot of boxes! I want to be gracious and mature enough to accept the challenges life can bring, and I want the eyes to see the blessings and gifts God has given me in living this 'outside-the-box' kind of life.
Here's a few things that 2011 brought my way that shaped the year for me:
- This tiny, little thing happened in January where I live (ok, I guess a "revolution" isn't so tiny). While I wasn't here when it happened, I returned about 3 weeks afterwards and the rest of the year has been filled with protests, strikes, campaigns, political parties out the wazoo, elections, speculations, and a country who is speaking their mind more than they ever have in the past 20ish years.
- Babies everywhere! My job security continues to increase with each new birth. This year saw the arrival of twins in Feb. Helping out a family with 3 kids in diapers (their oldest was under 2 when the twins arrived) is...well, a lot of diapers:) Another family had their first little guy in September. All the kids continue to grow, and this year I transitioned from teaching Kindergarten to one boy to teaching preschool to two girls....all I have to say is, BIG difference!! I love both and it's been so fun teaching all these kids!
- Roommates - I have had 4 roommates this year! I started out the year with my roommate for the past 2 years, Gabriela, but then moved in April to live with my friend Cerena. This was the first time in my life that I bought appliances, furniture,etc for a home. I NEVER knew that I would be doing it all in broken Arabic! So I officially have a house with adult furniture (as opposed to my thriftier, junkier college furniture days)! Anyway, I lived with Cerena for about 4 months before she moved back to the States. Enter roommate #3, Lauren. Lauren was an intern who was spending a semester abroad for college and she was around til the beginning of Dec. About 3 weeks after Lauren arrived, roommate #4, Val, came into the picture. Now most of you know Val and I are pretty great friends and have lived together in the past, so I was pretty excited to have her move to Africa!
- Visa trips - I was lucky enough to go to Rome, London, and Goochland (what, that's not exotic sounding to you??) for my visa trips this year. My friends in Rome have always been gracious to let me stay with them, and this time I was able to travel with Cerena, so it was GREAT to not do a trip alone! London was a new place for me (if only I had lots of money and a great accent, I'd fit right in). My friend Anna opened her home up to me and I loved going from 100+ temps in Africa in August to a cool 65 degrees in London. But my favorite trip was of course going home to see my family! I got 2 weeks of quality fam time in over Thanksgiving. Seeing my nieces grow (2 were baptized this year) and getting a chance to spend time together is always a blessing.
- The weight loss journey continues (although it's needing a little kick start with all these holidays and yummy treats around). I can't entirely remember where I was this time last year, but I think it's safe to say I've lost about 35lbs this year, with my overall (almost 3 yrs) loss being close to 90lbs. I was technically at 90, but the aforementioned treats have done their damage....so "close" will suffice for now:) I write this not to brag, but to hold myself accountable to the fact that I just told the world how much I've lost, so I better keep it up!!
There are so many other things I could write about (turning 30, hitting new levels of growth and frustration with language, holiday parties galore, celebrating miracles and grieving losses with friends, etc), but I will end with some random pictures from the year. I am thankful for this year and the growth it brought me, and I pray 2012 will be rich with the Lord's presence!
Trevi Fountain, Rome (my favorite place in Rome)
The power of Photo Booth to entertain while babysitting
Teaching little ones to blow bubbles:)
Westminster Abbey, London
Christmas ornaments from my preschoolers:)
