There are 3 days left in 2011 and I have to say that it’s been a pretty amazing year.  Did I do everything that I wanted to?  No.  Did I do somethings that I didn’t know I wanted?  Yes.

I also struggle with and to be honest usually feel quite uninspired when the time comes to recap my year and think about next year.  Well, I can thank Kelly and her re-visioning of Joe’s suicide note.  Because there is no need to re-invent the wheel.  If all my years of teaching and program creation have taught me anything–they have taught me that the best ideas have already been had and there is no reason to not use those–just give credit.  So credit I give.

Things I Think Will Happen Next Year–I will begin writing my dissertation in earnest after finishing data collection and come into my own as an academic.  I will blog more because it is important to me and I love writing.  So much of the writing I do on a daily basis is academic in nature, it has become more difficult for me to switch to personal writing here.  But I am going to make an effort to do just that.  I’ll come to terms with my weight and the issues surrounding it.  I’ll come to terms with what it will take to get in the shape I want to be–not a number on the scale–but a physical shape and feeling that I want/need in my life.

Stuff I Would Like To See In My Life–More time with my husband and kids.  I am extremely busy with work, teaching and finishing my PhD and it keeps me from spending the quality time my kids need and i so desperately want.  Balance.  I need more balance in my life and I hope to see it more in 2012 than in the last few years.

Things I Regret–I try not to have any regrets.  There are certainly things that I think about but I am who I am and I try not to regret that.  When I look back thoughtfully, there isn’t anything this year I regret.  That feels good to say.

Things I Am Proud Of–My life.  I know that might sound simplistic and arrogant.  But I am proud of where I have ended up this year.  I am more than halfway done with my dissertation research.  I landed a great new job–that I wasn’t even looking for.  I taught some great classes this past year and have made an impact in students lives (even though they are adult students).  I have watched my children find their own interests.  Being married–happily so–for 11 years now.  Being given the chance to go to Thailand on a Doctoral Student trip–even though it was postponed for a year due to the devastating flooding in Thailand.  Having 2 conference proposals accepted.  My friendships.  Standing up for wrongs I see.  Advocating for my kids.

Here is to a great 2012–how ever much of it we have.  As, my husband is pretty certain those Mayan’s were on to something.  I don’t see the world ending, but I can see it changing.  Hoping 2012 brings all we hope it will.