I started out 2011 with my usual mindset, "this is going to be my year!" It didn't take but a couple weeks for an overwhelming theme to pop up for 2011, it certainly was my year....my year for learning. This wasn't the kind of learning you get from a classroom like I had been in for my entire life up until December 2010. This year was filled with life lessons. Every time something would knock me down I'd remind myself it was all a learning experience and that God was trying to teach me something.
Since I am not a resolution kind of person (I always have hopes, dreams and goals in my life, the year does not mark an end or a beginning in that aspect for me) and I don't want to be negative, I thought I'd capture 2011 by listing some of the things I learned from all my experiences.
- Even though you are young, it is never too early to be proactive about your health.
- I will always love singing and making music with other people.
- Thunder snow is an amazing sight (and sound) to witness.
- It takes almost an entire day for 2 people to shovel a driveway with approximately 20 inches of snow and over 4 foot drifts.
- People will come into your life and people will go. As hard as it is, let those that go, leave, they'll come back around if your story together is not over.
- Sushi is not that gross, except when you order the wrong roll and it has squid on the top. It is not aesthetically pleasing.
- Being passionately attracted to someones looks and personality does not translate into a true, functioning relationship.
- Never date the man who wants you to chase him. He's either not that into you or is an empty person.
- Music will always be my number one choice of therapy (shopping is a close second).
- Challenge yourself by doing things you never think you are capable of. Being a stage manager at a musical was one of my favorite experiences this year.
- Follow your gut.
- No matter how blindsided you are by an event, do not sit back and take the beating. Assert yourself, you will regret it later if you do not.
- When questioned about a situation, no matter what you say, 90% of the time the interrogators mind is made up about you and you have simply become a pawn on their chess board.
- Do not wear flip flops in downtown Chicago. Questionable substances will end up on your legs.
- Going for a bike ride by alone is the quickest way to clear my mind. There is nothing like the wind in my face, my feet pushing the resistance in my pedals, the trees whizzing by, breathing in the fresh air, the sun glaring down on me and dodging the gutsy squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, snakes, turtles, frogs and birds that dare cross my path.
- Wrigley field is still nothing but a giant bar to me.
- Always throw a swimsuit in your purse when going downtown Chicago in the summer, you never know when a hot day is going to come out of nowhere and you will just to shed your clothes and sit on the beach.
- God will leave you in an uncomfortable environment and let your pride fall in order to teach you humility.
- The Art Institute is a visit best shared by someone you can converse with about the art displayed.
- Spray on sunscreen does not provide near enough coverage as lotion. At least for me!
- Taking one of the last trains out of the city into the suburbs during The Taste of Chicago is an entertaining, multi-cultural learning experience. (This also applies to any big outdoor concerts in Millennium or Grant Park and White Sox or Cubs games.)
- It is not difficult to put two 80 plus year old women together in a room and get them gabbing and giggling like they are blissful teenagers again.
- A lot of sibling rivalries last a life time, but age and wisdom soften those rivalries into humor.
- A gap toothed truck driver that you meet at senior housing in the deep south can be even smarter than any business professor. Life experience no matter what your age, means, career, race, political ties is invaluable.
- Cemeteries can be beautiful and vastly full of history. All those headstones have a story to tell.
- A sanatorium is a long term medical facility associated with tuberculosis illness. It provided a lot of jobs for many of my ancestors.
- An outdoor wedding, while beautiful, takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears. Especially when it's 100+ degrees out.
- I am honest to a fault with everyone, but myself. In the words of Florence + the Machine "I've been keeping secrets, from my heart and from my soul."
- Mom's sweet tea is a cure all.
- I learned just how tragic a miscarriage is. I had no idea how much a woman has to endure until my best friend went through it.
- Playing vacation roulette is fun and can be successful!
- Even the calmest of weekends with my best college girl friends can become a highlight of the entire year.
- The night time Chicago River architecture cruise is peaceful and gorgeous.
- It takes quite a while to get up to the observation deck of the Sears Tower (I refuse to call it Willis) and it takes just as long to get out on the ledge and look through a glass floor 103 floors up.
- When you feel like your whole world is falling apart, it's easy to want to leave everything behind and start somewhere new.
- Don't be surprised when the tug of your almost four year old niece's hand begging you to have a slumber party with her wins out over going out with friends. She won't be this little forever.
- Jeans over $100 still shrink. Because I know my legs didn't get shorter.
- Massachusetts and Connecticut must make a lot of money off parking meter tickets. ALWAYS feed extra change in your meter.
- The historic New England pub was a hotel, a restaurant, a court, a church and a post office. It served all purposes.
- You meet very interesting people at breakfast when staying at a bed and breakfast. Surprisingly, most of them were my age!
- Boston's mass transit system is immaculately clean.
- Don't wear new shoes on vacation. The blood bursting blisters will scar your feet for four months and counting.
- Lobster isn't that great when you are taking on a nasty cold, stick to comfort food.
- Gnomes are adorable.
- I can and will continue to embrace no bangs. I gave up fighting my cowlick after 20 plus years, it's a beautiful thing.
- Observe a marathon, you will never believe the wide variety of runners. And you will leave thinking, "if they can do this, then certainly I can!"
- Every year I think this, but am always amazed at how blessed I am with those in my life that chose to celebrate my birthday with me.
- One small little man that you have never met can melt your heart the day he is born.
- I can survive a four year old girl's cupcake birthday party.
- Thai food is amazing.
- Whenever I make a new, complicated dessert, better plan on two batches. I always alter something after tasting the first and second batch is far superior.
- Much like follow your gut but a little different. You must also follow your heart.
- When the person that you let go comes back, it's as if you never missed a beat.
- My dad and I make a great cooking team in the kitchen, I can't wait for next Thanksgiving.
- My brother makes a killer apple pie with just the ingredients found around the house.
- The Christkindl Market is best for German pastries, Gluhwein and the souvenir boot.
- I am a terrible ice skater.
- Playing pranks can be fun if you're partner in crime is the right person.
- Befriending coworkers from different generations can give you a beneficial perspective on life and work you could not comprehend on your own.
- You always need someone to bounce ideas off of.
- If the rubber washer in the rim if your coffee mug won't stay in, throw out the entire mug. If not you will continue to spill the contents all over yourself and walk in to work with wet pants, shirt and/or a soaked purse.
- Christmas feels very un-Christmas without snow.
- I will never cease to enjoy seeing Christmas lights through my Nana's eyes.
- Children are extra gullible at Christmas (and extra silly).
- Sometimes in the middle of ordinary life, an ordinary person can surprise you.
- Most people choose to grow up, but there are some who want to live in their past forever and never better themselves.
- Moroccan oil works wonders on hair.
- When you get your bravery up to finally do something you need to do, follow the bravery on through.
So there are my lessons from 2011, some serious, some a little more entertaining. It's funny, the older I get the more I look forward to life and not just mine but others. The circle of people I care about and love continues to grow and watching their lives always excites me. So here's to 2012, another year full of life lessons.
