New Year’s Resolutions and Reflections
I wanted to put up a New Year’s resolutions post during the New Year (or at least the week before it), but because of a ton of events, I was unable to. And boy, I have some resolutions this year that will be a challenge to keep.
So, here are my resolutions for 2012:
1.) LEARN GERMAN, and don’t be so shy and self-conscious about trying to speak the language. Admittedly, my lack of German is a big mountain to scale, but the bigger thing that’s pulling me back is how SHY I am about practicing the speaking part of it. It’s creating a harder-than-diamond barrier between me and everything—- my job, the KVR, and even the smaller, stupider things, like signing up for the internet, or getting a cell phone… things I wouldnt even think twice about are now larger than life. It’s so stupid because my coworkers have been trying to help, the waiters at my favorite restaurant in the city have been trying to encourage me, but I have been so stupidly shy. And this really needs to STOP.
Obviously learning the language is something that can’t be achieved within one year (but getting over the shyness—- that can be achieved in a couple months!!). If it means my iPod will be filled with nothing but learning German so I am forced to listen to that instead of music, then so be it. But with lots of concentrated energy, I know it’s possible. Which leads me to my next resolution…
2.) Concentrate my forces. Prioritize what’s important and what’s not, and follow through. Focusing has always been a life-long issue for me. There have been times where I am convinced I have ADD. Fortunately, being in the current situation that I’m in, I am forced to tackle this issue to see if I truly have ADD or not. Taking the time to learn and study German is one of the top. Learning Ventuz and the quirks of my workplace is another top priority. Obtaining a motorcycle or a driver’s license is also a priority, but not for this year. And probably not for next year either. If I need to buy a computer for home because I have to learn Ventuz (another goal of mine this year) then I will drop the cash to do so. Anything that will help me get by here. No more wasting money and time on frivolous things (like typing up my resolutions on my blog LOL) And speaking of money, let me tell you my third resolution…
3.) Be financially independent. Another thing that will take more than a year. More than a decade, even. I want my net worth to reach millionaire status by the time I retire. I want to have that feeling of when something happens to me—- a major injury, or losing my job, or something, I am able to live comfortably without having to freak out and scrounge for money or mooch from relatives. Not that my family would turn me away if I asked, but I want them to know that they have nothing to worry about. Even more—- I want to have enough money to give to the charities I care for the most when I am older.
This cannot happen if I don’t learn to start saving money. It doesnt matter how much I earn, if that money is spent that money is gone. And being the young un that I am in my twenties, I have A LOT of time to reach that goal. But time is ticking, and it’s time to get serious.
4.) Exercise daily. Again. This was my resolution last year and I did SUCH a great job in keeping it for a fairly long time. I ran 5-10km 3x/week, ate healthy, etc. etc. I even achieved the figure that I aimed for! That is, until… Oktoberfest came along. After that, the whole healthy lifestyle just jumped off a cliff and now I am back to where I was before I moved out here LOL. So yes, gotta take up on that again
And so, that’s it! That’s 3 less resolutions compared to the 7 I had last year.
REFLECTIONS:
2010 was a year of reflection and growth. 2011 was a year of adaptation to see if I truly applied said reflection and growth. Being so far from the familiarity of friends and family and into a new world, unknown language, and different culture is a very hard lifestyle one has to go through, but it’s not impossible as demonstrated by countless people. It’s one thing to take a vacation and experience how people live, but when you are expected to live like them it’s a different ballgame. Especially at my age. Especially in this fast-paced world where everything is given to you so quickly, so “conveniently” that it’s so easy to lose focus. That is the biggest challenge for me to undertake, and it will take more than a year’s worth of resolutions to achieve. I feel that if I manage to do this, it will open tons of doors.
2011 was a pretty hard year, but I loved every second of it. With getting used to Germany and his quirks to visiting family and friends overseas, I gained 1000⁹+ EXP points this year. It definitely made me take a huge step back and appreciate the things I have/had, who my real friends are, and most of all, relate to people, because that was the #1 thing I really suck at doing.
Mad props go to my family and friends in the States who have been so supportive and motivating. Most notably, I want to thank these two guys I met early in the year: Raf and Erik (another Erik that lives here in Munich). Raf because he is the one that introduced me to Erik, the very first person I met in Munich. And thank God for Erik because man, without this guy, I would’ve been SO LOST when dealing with the KVR to get my visa. And getting a cell phone. And setting up the internet. I also probably would’ve gone back to the States had it not been for him because he also hooked me up with a really fucking awesome job. I love the people at my workplace, I love the job, I just. Love. EVERYTHING. So really, I feel like I owe a lot to these two guys for giving me a big jump start.
Honestly, I can’t find myself moving back to the States and being happy about it. The only way I would move back is if I was FORCED to move back.
So! Cheers to an awesome 2012, yeah? YEAH!!!
(sorry for the long entry, you guys! XD)
