2011 vs 2012

The last year has been full of changes for me. I ended a 3 year long relationship, got over the idea that I needed someone, moved to Los Angeles, started another relationship and got engaged, and traveled to Australia to be with my fiance. I also ran out of money — resulting in my not being able to work toward my degree — one of the worst things that happened this year. The first would be losing my cat, Schala. She had been my best friend for 12 years, and was “lost” after I had been in Australia for a couple months.

A lot of good happened in 2011, though, and I’m thankful for what did happen. My relationship with Bryce is much healthier than any of my previous relationships have been, I’m learning more about myself and independence, and I’m becoming more sure of what I what from life.

I’ve narrowed it to a few main things:

• Family (including animals)
• Travel
• An education
• A successful career

For 2012, I’m going to take steps toward these things.

I’m building a family with Bryce, obviously starting with us being together and living together. We pretty much started our relationship living with one another — we talked online regularly for a couple months, he lived with my family and me for 3 months, then we had a month apart. I live with him now in Australia — this is the 9th country I’ve been to. I hope to visit at least one more country this year, and since Bryce wants to travel, too, we can go on adventures together.

We also spent our Christmas with his family (Christmas in Australia is weird and very much like the 4th of July in America — just beer and heat and cold food) and I’m sort of starting to adopt them as my family, so there’s another step ahead in that direction.

My dad has always encouraged me to learn, so it was no surprise when he sent me a link to Academic Earth, which is pretty much a bunch of lectures from universities. I’ve been watching the ones I’m interested in — development of thought, language, and history. Even though I can’t take classes toward my degree this term, I might as well spend some time learning. Once I get Australian citizenship, I’ll transfer to a university here; most likely Melbourne University. For now, I’m planning on studying all I can for the months I have no real studying to do so I can pay Portland State University back and get access to my transcripts. I’ll take more online classes at PSU for spring term and summer term, and I’ll be working on getting Australian citizenship during that time as well.

Another thing I’m planning on learning is Japanese. I studied it for 6 years, but was never fluent (thanks, Kanji) so I would like to finally be able to say I’m bilingual. I think it’s reasonable to think I can learn Japanese in the next 12 months — then maybe start studying Italian again. I took a year of accelerated Italian, condensed into 4 months, and ended up remembering none of it. I want to be able to go on a vacation in Florence and not seem like a stupid American tourist.

I’m working at the local McDonalds, so I’ll be able to pay PSU back after a month or two (thank you, Australia! I do appreciate your high minimum wage) and can work on paying off my school debts. I will also be paying for the rest of my cat, which Bryce paid the deposit for for Christmas. She’s an Ocicat.

I am so, so excited about this cat. I actually wrote a blog about the last cat I was planning on getting, Derpina, but the breeder decided to keep her instead. I’m okay with this. I wasn’t for about 5 minutes, then I decided that it was a good thing. I get to look at more cats. I decided to get this ocicat though — she’s beautiful and reminds me of Schala. Yay cats.

I’m going to be working on my career with school, so the fourth thing on my list is kind of out of the picture for this year. I can’t be a school counselor until I have my degree(s) — I can hardly be anything until I have a degree. I’m not going to worry about starting an actual career this year. I don’t need to. I need to worry about my education and maintaining the relationships I want in my life.

I already have several things planned for 2012.

I’m going back to America for a month in February to get reconstructive rhinoplasty and sell some stuff so I have less to move. I’ll also be spending a week in Portland, visiting family and friends.  When I get back to Australia in early March, I’ll be hugging Bryce a lot. I’m not sure what’s happening after that. I’ll be spending a lot of time with my cat and at work. I’ll also be working on getting my citizenship sorted out. There are also several things that I’ll be doing that I don’t want to make public right now, but… THINGS! I will be doing them. There will be more change this year than last year, but I’m getting used to it. I’ll probably be blogging more, too. Records and documentation of progress. Yussss.

I hope all of you (the like, 40 people who read this) had great holidays and a great year. Happy new year, and try to set some reachable goals.

Also, for those of you who will be out and about tonight (or tomorrow night, depending on your timezone):

PLEASE BE SAFE. Save 800-222-4357 (AAA-HELP) in your phone, and if you see anyone trying to drive drunk or you don’t have a sober ride home, call them.

I would hate to find out that anything had happened to anyone.

Happy New Year, all!