2012

The arrival of 2012 came unexpectedly to me.

I know this makes no sense.

Because January 1 is not supposed to be a surprise.

Because the days just go in order.  And I know what a calendar is.

But here I am, caught off guard.

I look forward to life's little benchmarks,

moments to pause and write your own report card.

Evaluate yourself in the different categories of being

that matter to you.

I usually do this on my birthday. 

Personal milestone time.

I had to think really hard about resolutions.

Hopes and visions and goals for 2012.

I want to believe that my future self will be better than the present.

If this holds true, then my present self is an improvement on the past.

And forward is the only way to march.

Amtrak

That grand perspective, however, escapes me sometimes.

All those non-birthday days.

And I need reminders.

Like what day it is.

So that's what I wrote for this new year.  Reminders.

Here's my list, unintentionally ordered by importance:

*

Feel.

It's okay that your feelings exist, 

and that they should guide you.  

They seem to be right about a lot of things, 

and knowing this gives you strength.

New Orleans

**

You can be very, very hard on yourself.

The universe is in a bad way when you get stuck like that.

Hang this on your wall:

I actually purchased this.

***

Teach harder.

The children love to learn and want more,

even if they don't show it.

My classroom

****

Talk on the phone.

There are a lot of people that you love and miss.

Plus, it seems weird that phones aren't used so much for talking anymore.

Sweet fan, West Village

*****

Saying no is okay.

Turning down people and plans for personal time might be necessary,

and is something you can allow yourself, guilt-free.

Everyone understands.

October snow storm

******

You want to learn more about taking pictures.

Do this by taking more pictures

and worrying less about being the girl who keeps taking pictures.

Olvera Street, Los Angeles

*******

Leave the house ten minutes before you think you're supposed to.

Perhaps one's sense of how long it takes to get places

in New York is never fully realized.

Garment District rooftop

********

Plan with finites.

Place goals and projects on timelines to help you reach an end.

The current books-started to books-finished ratio, 

for example, is very high.

New Orleans shop window

*********

Draw the doodles you imagine.

They're worth noting, there's always a napkin somewhere, 

and it feels like such a loss when you can't remember them the next day.

Living room, Little 42

You're looking good, 2012.

Let's get started.