Holiday Project - Day 11

List of My Year

I like making lists, especially personal ones. Gives me an opportunity to write and reflect upon my experiences. End of year lists are the best for this. Today's post is about what's happened to me this year. It's a little self-involved but it lets me be thankful for everything that's happened and remember all the good things. Going to use bullet points because I don't want to rank anything.

• Grand Canyon Trip (August) - So let's start with the small negative; didn't make it to the bottom. Hurt my leg two months before going and wasn't comfortable after I began the hike down that I could complete it. Probably could have done it but wasn't going to take a chance. But I tried and then the following day did another short hike below the rim (the difference between the two trips was weight of my pack). Overall, however, I enjoyed my hike and I'm glad I did what I did. Phoenix was a great city to spend a couple of days in. I want to go back.
  But the highlight was seeing my cousin and his family. In fact, it was his entire extended family, including my uncle and his wife's parents. It was great. Hopefully this is the start of more trips to visit family all across the continent. 
• Completed Math AQ (Additional Qualification) Course - This was something I had meant to do for a while. It was nice but I learned a lot. Glad I had the opportunity and I do like being in school.
• Working for the school board - Isn't everything I thought it would be. It's a good experience because I'm learning how other instructors do things. The students are all adults so you can ask them for feedback. A little worried that unless I do some serious networking, I won't find any opportunities for advancement to full-time. 
• Becoming a volunteer with outdoor club - This has been the source of biggest change in my health. By simply going on an outdoor event, usually a hike, once a week I feel that much better. I'm a little bit stronger and it means I don't just sit at home all the time. I've met some interesting people as well, which is nice since it isn't easy to meet people in thirties. 
• Working at community literacy organization - There have been challenges this year at work (most due to funding issues) but I still enjoy the work. Over the last two years I've learned so much. It lets me expanded my teaching style, and develop teaching materials that suit my classroom. I'm getting better and it gets easier. What I need to continue working on is record keeping and organizational skills. It's much better than when I started. 
• My partner's new found interest in healthy cooking - This has been a big change for me because for the majority of our relationship I've been the person who cooks. Now she does. And it means we've had different food and it's been great. I'm glad she's taken an interest because it means we don't have to rely on what I can make/want to make. She's better at picking health choices so this is good. Also means we might go out a little less. 

Happy New Year everyone. Hope anyone who reads this has a good 2014.