New Year, resolutions, toasts, parties, marathons, parades, blase blah…the same ol, same ol. I was never really into the whole New Year resolutions thing, because I could be real with myself and know that a new year does not mean that things are going to automatically change. Meaning, I have to take initiative and change them myself. So why do we always wait till the New Year? Why not start these things at any moment, like, now?
Anyway, I apologize for the cynicism. I just think that my time is better spent reflecting on the past year and thinking about things that went well, and things that need to be worked on for the future and not necessarily/specifically the new year. Am I crazy for that? Making resolutions puts so much pressure on you, so why not just have a list of things that you work on, when you can. I dunno, maybe I’m just crazy.
But counter-intuitively, I have a guilty pleasure–watching the plethora of best and worst moments of 2010 lists. Admissions Daniel wrote this on his Twitter last week:
“Now that Christmas is over we all have to suffer through a ridiculous amount of Best/Worst of 2010 lists for the next week. 2011 come quick.”
So as an ode to Admissions Daniel, here is a countdown of important Dominique 2010 moments:
1.) Taking my first poetry class–and surviving! ( I hate poetry, sorry I just suck at it)
2.) Experiencing deep rejection from a position that I really wanted–then seeing my roommate (whom I love to death) get it. Let’s just say that challenged me as a person and made me grow up a bit.
3.) Experiencing another rejection from a program that I really wanted, then miraculously getting accepted after the fact (one scenario in which I did NOT mind being ‘sloppy seconds’ hehe)
4.) Spending my first summer ever away from home in a new state with people I didn’t know, with a prestigious health policy program. I learned so much and made so many friends, and connections!
5.) Getting over some of my confidence issues and becoming a teaching assistant for Chem Lab–let’s say it forced me to be confident in myself for the sake of my students.
6.) Not caring about grades as much. WHAT?!? DID A HOPKINS STUDENT JUST SAY THAT?!? Yep, she did. I decided that I wasn’t going to kill myself over unfortunate grades or striving to be the best. Being the best and being the best YOU can be are 2 different things…so I went with the latter and was much happier for it.
7.) Living in a real apartment–with grad students! I wasn’t sure how that was going to work out, but honestly it’s been the most delightful living situation I’ve had. I have come to learn that I am not a room-sharing person and I am not good at living with my best friends. And before this year, I wouldn’t have really thought that.
8.) Having a close friend confide in me and me experiencing the subsequent physical loss of a friend (they transferred), and learning how to keep bonds strong despite physical separation.
9.) My first Broadway show and meeting my future husband!! :P
10.) My first time not attending a class faithfully (sorry physics, but if the class is based on me teaching myself from the book…then yea. )
I am sure there are more, but I’m bringing in 2011 at church, so TTYS! =]
-Dominique
