Accepting My Place. K. B.

to me in 2010, and it helped me figure out that there’s more to life than chasing my anxieties.

      2011 continues that trend. I kind of forgot up until an hour ago that a new year was beginning, because my life has become so much more continuous, so much more of a path traveled rather than a set of goals checklisted, that years ending no longer bother me. I rather follow the calendar of my heart; I celebrate when I finish a work, or meet a great friend, or taste fabulous food, rather than holidays.

      Nevertheless, it’d be wrong for me to ignore all the great things that happened this year. I got to travel all over Central and Eastern Europe the earlier half of this year, which filled my “jar of insight” in ways I wouldn’t be able to describe (but, if you’re really that curious about all I learned, read We Are the Poorest (Country) in the World, because that novel couldn’t have existed without those travels). I realized that there’s a part of me that seeks beauty in places that aren’t the one I grew up in, but I also realized there’s a greater part of me that is escaping and hiding. I’ve learned to catch that worm by the tail. I’ve met so many great people, and solidified already existing friendships. Some of them even became something greater.

      Looking towards the New Year, for the first time today, I’m in the mood to write my New Years Resolutions, a day in advance. None of them are based in literary stuff, because I’ve realized that the writer in me is just there; it doesn’t matter if my work gets out in 2012 or 3012; it’s worth reading because Kiran says so.

      Resolution 1: I want to learn proper ways to channel my energy and release my tension (or, in other words, I want to learn how to calm down), because there’s enough neuroticism in here to electrify a field of cattle.

      Resolution 2: I want to learn how to cook without the use of a microwave – my real cooking sucks.

      Resolution 3: I want to learn how to take my resolutions and goals lightly; after all, I’m only human, and as a human, I can’t control when the world decides to put giant boulders and colossal sand scorpions against my way.