"We'll see," said the Zen Master

New Year's Resolutions:

1. Establish Our Voices, the organization I proposed last semester
2. Get a well paying job this semester to earn and (more importantly) save money
3. Use said money for travel and/or OV (or perhaps travel for OV)
4. Reconnect with old friends
5. Stay focused

Entering 2009 is very different from 2008. In 2008 I knew where I would be throughout the year, or at least where I would end up. 2009 is very open-ended. It's exciting and unnerving at the same time, but I guess that means that this is going to be a very pivotal year in terms of starting down a new path. The OV project is definitely my goal, there is too much behind it and too much potential not to try now. That is the only thing that has really been clear.

That and more traveling. There are so many places I still want to go to, so many I really want to experience. It's going to be a challenge to decide when, where, and how long I can give to each place as well as finding the means to do so. But like most of my traveling, at least travel for travel's sake, the opportunities will present themselves as they come.

PS I just saw Slumdog Millionaire. It was fantastic, like super fantastic. SEE IT!

Bittersweet Symphony

Yesterday was one of those days. Those perfect days that you lucidly walk through, yet feel as though you're dreaming. It wasn't the weather (it was rather hot) and it wasn't the sights (I didn't go anywhere special), it just was. It was in this normalcy, this almost mundane experience that I felt really and truly happy, at least for a little while. Spending time with Tunisian friends, with people who have been living their lives as usual here in Tunis... it made me realize that I've been able to create a life for myself here, my own.

It's something natural, common sensical even. Wherever you go you will find some way of adapting and settling into your surroundings, but it's very different when you begin to realize that you are doing so. But as happy as I was to realize that--well -- that I had a life (small woot!), I also realized just how short this particular life is going to last. This life here in Tunis has an expiration date. Sure, I could always choose to extend my stay longer and longer, but I know that's not something I ultimately want. I know my Dream continues elsewhere. But knowing when the good-byes will come, knowing when a chapter is going to end (especially a really really good one) can be heavy sometimes.

I hate to think about it, but it's like when someone tells you not to look down and all you can think about is how much you really want to look down. It just goes to show, you never know where life is going to lead you. Though looking back the connections may be clear, who you meet, where you meet them, and who you'll see again is a constant mystery. Perhaps their memory will be enough in years to come, but I've met so many amazing people, each with a growing place in my heart, that I can't fathom not knowing if and when I'll see them again.

So I'm thankful for the days like yesterday, and I look forward to more of them. Hopefully the shadow of good-bye will subside until that unfortunate day, and maybe, just maybe, I'll be ready for it then.