Another year comes to a close, and with it, the end of a decade. 2019 was a pretty damn good year for me. Bit of a rocky beginning, but I feel like I’ve made a lot of progress and growth this year.
Something I haven’t thought to do in the past was a decade in review. Granted, I’ve only had this blog for 10 years, but I saw a friend do a decade in review status, and I thought that it was a good idea.
This year was a good one. Morgan and I made some huge strides together this year, and have only grown stronger as a couple. He’s helped me with a ton of my depression and anxiety symptoms.
Morgan started a new job that he enjoys, and in less than a year has already been offered an assistant manager position. I started my second year as a development coach, and have my sights set on moving forward in the company beginning with more training next year.
We took an incredible vacation in May, for what Morgan got me for my birthday this year: tickets to see Neil Gaiman do readings and answer questions in person. We drove to San Francisco and stayed in a tiny house (a one room/one bed hut shaped like a gingerbread house), had delicious Chicago style pizza from Zachary’s, wandered around Haight and Ashbury, ate $400 worth of seafood, and then listened to Neil Gaiman read passages from “Good Omens” and answer questions the audience asked. It was an incredible trip.
Morgan also planned a lovely anniversary weekend for us: he took us out to Gordon Ramsay Steak, where we actually got to meet Gordon. I’ve been thinking about that the last couple of days, and how I was just so dumbstruck, I could barely speak, and I couldn’t even stand up to stand next to him! I just sat there in a dream. Dinner was incredible, as usual. Then the next day, we drove out to Knott’s Berry farm, and spent the day riding roller coasters, playing skeeball, and just all in all having an amazing day. It was truly lovely.
This year was pretty low key dance wise. Nina and I were invited to perform at a dance event that was raising awareness for domestic violence survivors and the shelter that helps them out here in town. It was an incredible experience. We were set to dance at the Dark Arts in October, but Nina had a slight injury, so I did a 20 minute set on my own…first time in YEARS I have done more than one piece at a time as a soloist. I had an absolute blast. I also participated in 2 ½ online dance challenges this year: Courtney’s summer challenge, which I’ve done for 3 summers now, a tribal fusion choreography challenge, which was SUPER challenging and amazing, and I did 3 parts of a 5 part oriental choreography challenge. I just got too busy to finish, as it was right around Thanksgiving. I’m starting to push myself a bit more this year with my dancing. I’ve been posting videos of my practice sessions, trying out slower movements, and stepping way out of my comfort zone with a lot of things. It’s exciting.
I also received answers about how to reduce kidney stones, and have been trying to follow a low oxalate/low purine diet. It’s hard, but totally worth it.
So as 2019 comes to a close, I’ve been thinking back about all the things that have happened these past 10 years. Here are some highlights:
*Married the love of my life
*Started this blog
*Had 7 surgeries on my right kidney
*Moved into my own apartment, and lived on my own for a year and a half
*Attended 2 Arab Dance Seminars
*Competed in my first dance competition and made the top 12
*Started working as a KJ
*Got promoted at work
*Adopted 2 wonderful, but bratty dogs
*Saw VNV Nation in concert 11 times (I think…it might be 10, it might be 12)
*Got answers about my kidney stone issues
*Taught dance workshops
*Met Gordon Ramsay
*Met Chef Christina from Hell’s Kitchen
*Met Christina Tosi (and she said my apple pie looked great)
*Experienced the original lineup of Underworld live
*Saw The Cure in concert, finally
*Went to Disneyland
*Shaved 34 inches off hair off for children’s cancer research
*dyed my hair blue
*Went to a Neil Gaiman reading
*Got my first (and 7 more after that) tattoo
*Started deadlifting/weight training
*Had my tubes tied
*Danced in charity fundraisers
*Became Yelp Elite
*Started and ran a book club
There are a few more, that stand out, but they’re not entirely appropriate for all audiences, so that may have to wait for another time.
Of course there were some negatives of course. We’ve lost people that we were extremely close with. Most of these are simply lost friendships, but we did lose 3 people within the last 5 years to death. Of course, I lost my best friend Jake 5 years ago, and I still have some sadness about not ever being able to talk to him again. This year alone, we lost a former roommate, Heather, and someone who we weren’t as close with anymore, but we had considered each other family at one point, Rob.
It’s always sad to lose people, whether its death or falling out, but we’re moving forward and recalling the good times.
As 2019 ends, I’m setting goals for myself again this year. I’m wanting to keep things simple this year, and I’ve been putting some thought into finding a “word of the year”: a word that encompasses my attitude for the year.
I think my focus this year is going to be “Meaningful.” I want to ensure that everything I do and say this year is meaningful. I don’t necessarily mean “deep” when I say that, but I want to put thought into what I do and say. I don’t want to have as much mindless scrolling, and if I choose to have a lazy time, I want it to be meaningful: I’m resting and recovering, etc.
This is carrying over into my professional life, and my dance life as well. I want everything I do to have meaning and intention.
So without further ado, I give you my goals for 2020:
- Cut sugar intake by 50% by the end of 2020.
- Take at least 1 dance workshop
- Finish Death tattoo
- More frequent and regular dance and gym time.
- Read 24 books
- Knit more
- Less screen time
- Go hiking
- Meditation
- De-clutter closets/drawers
- Follow cleaning schedule.
Short and simple list this year, with goals that are attainable, but will still be a challenge.
My dearest readers, thank you for the last 10 years. May your 2020 be filled with great things. Have a safe and happy New Year’s Eve.