I’m sorry. I’ve neglected posting for a while. I’ve been busy just enjoying the whirlwind that was the end of 2011. It was an amazing year. It wasn’t without its challenges or low points, but I can honestly look back and say that I was given some great opportunities and I made the most of them. It started with a trip to Patagonia, saw me marry and move to China, and included other amazing visits to Indonesia and Nepal (more on that later). The sheer awesomeness of 2011 means that I’ve approached 2012 with a little trepidation. Now that I get a second chance at a new year now it is the year of the Dragon, I thought it was time to make some resolutions:
- Don’t forget to blog! Sorry to those of you who have been asking. I’ll try to catch up asap.
- Participate in the Pennsylvania Spartan Run and DON’T SUCK AT IT. I’ve always avoided any running based races. Mostly because I don’t like running. Also I am sufficiently competitive to not want to subject myself to the indignity of being overtaken by someone dressed like a deep sea diver, or Thora Hird or someone. I’m hoping the obstacles will break up my usual running mantra of “hate hate hate hate hate…”
- Learn Mandarin. OK I’ve taken some lessons but Mandarin is difficult as you have to just sit down and memorise stuff. You can’t take in much from what’s around you as you can’t read any of it. While I am in China I have to reach the point where I can communicate somewhat more than currently.
- Also China related – I want to be able to acquire skills/learnings about the local market that will enhance my ability to do my job when I return.
- I want to grow my tiny new consulting business in the meantime. I’ve had some great new business discussions recently. Fingers crossed some of them lead to money 😉
- It’s not very measurable as an objective but I would like to learn how to worry less about things I cannot change. I spend a lot of time doing that.
- More easily measured is my resolution to sort my teeth out. I’ve never had many problems with them, but there are a couple of things that need to be sorted:- I need to get my top wisdom teeth removed now that the little buggers are deciding to put in an appearance. I also need to get a 20 year old crown replaced as there’s a small infection underneath it. Neither of these things happened overnight, but 2012 is the year they get addressed. Then, thanks to my time living in the US it is no longer acceptable for me to have English teeth. My wisdom teeth are making my previously fairly straight teeth decidedly wonky so I’ll get them fixed too.
- I also resolve to drink more water. So far this is going badly. Everyday I drink close to a recommended amount of water I have to go to the loo a LOT. Then when I forget, I don’t drink and I have to start trying to retrain my bladder again. Of all my resolutions, this is so far the most difficult one to keep.
- This year I will get a Chinese driving licence. I am stopped rather frequently in the US so I think having a Chinese licence could be awesome: “Ni hao officer! What seems to be the problem?”.