The Bucket List Year

Michael and me 5/25/2013

Well, this blog seems to be turning into a once or twice a year affair but I generally find that is a reflection of how much I have going on and in that sense this may have been the fullest year of my life. In May 2013 Michael and I were married. I had hoped we could put the brakes on a grueling schedule after the wedding but that never happened. However, looking back I see that this year I made a point to do and finish so many things that I have put off for so long. I am actually in awe of all the things I experienced - so I will call this the year of the bucket list.

Acadia - Maine. 5/2013

This year I listened to a LOT of books on CD during my long daily commute to and from work. While the drive is draining at times, I realized I've probably read about 20 books this year which is pretty amazing considering in grad school I read maybe 3 books total (for pleasure) over the course of 6 years. I am grateful for this. Maybe the biggest influence on my thinking this year has been a book I read on habits. In conjunction with a book I read last year about willpower, I feel optimistic about becoming a stronger, healthier, smarter, and better person. I also try to keep in mind that the process of self-improvement is a never ending journey and though I sometimes feel overwhelmed by all the high expectations I set for myself, I look back and realize I've made it a long way up the metaphorical hill I am climbing.


I started the year off in a bit of a funk in the cold slump of winter with a foot that was all but useless after surgery. I felt like I would never get back to my old routine... but slowly I pulled myself together and got back to exercising. When I was back on my feet in March I could barely run a mile but I started slowly and by August I ran my first 5K race in several years. For Michael it was his first. We also spent more time running with a very fun group which I have enjoyed thoroughly and has been a strangely wonderful source of motivation for me.

Hash House Harriers - Oct. 2013

 Another thing we took the time to do was make a few road trips and to catch up with family and some old friends this summer. We went to New York City because Michael had never been and I really wanted him to see it. The other trip was to Burlington, Vermont which has been on my bucket list for a long time.

The lake in Waterbury, VT - August 2013

 

The hardest thing I gave up this year was my time as a volunteer math tutor at our local library. It was a very fun and fulfilling thing to do but I recognized that if I was going to commit to regular exercise I had to say "no" to something. I still miss it and I feel guilty not helping to push my student forward, but I had to accept that I'm only human and can only do so much.

Running to the top of Peaked Mountain, Monson, MA 11/2013

 This fall at my job we finally closed our study to new participants, so over 500 students later I will finally get to focus on data analysis and research publications which is both exciting and scary. 

To close the busy year I fulfilled a promise and plan that has been on my bucket list since about 2006. That year I promised my nephew Christopher, who was failing Spanish and felt that high school coursework didn't teach him anything important about the world, that I would take him to Spain if he got an A.

Eventually he did but at the time I didn't account for the fact that I was a broke graduate student who's life was dominated by research, exams and theses. Finally this year I decided we really need to do this - for who knows what next year's adventures will bring? 

Me and Chris at the Arc di Triumf 12/2013

So off we went to Barcelona, Spain for the weekend after Christmas and jetted back to the US just in time to ring in the New Year. Although our Spanish was a little rusty we made due enough to order beer, get directions and not offend too many Spaniards. I couldn't imagine a better way to end the year. We had a blast!

I know 2014 will be another big year for me, for Michael and for friends and family. I am trying to face it without too much fear and anxiety since at the moment we don't even know where we'll be living 6 months from now. I want to keep making my health a priority and I have learned that doing this means getting organized and taking my massive to do-list one step at time.  

There's one big trip left on my bucket list and that is to visit Yellowstone National Park. Buckle up 2014 - here we go!