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Saturday, December 31, 2005
Thoughts on the New Year
A couple of years ago I decided that I would never make New Years resolutions, the reason being that if you make such hefty promises you only set yourself up for failure. Besides, how many people do you know that on New Years Eve has said "Woo, I kept that resolution for an entire year! Im glad that's over!?" I would imagine not too many. Instead, in the final days of 2005 I like to think on the past year and look ahead to what 2006 is going to toss my way.
As a professional student, I usually think in terms of academic years. My year begins sometime in August and runs through mid-May. As a result, it's difficult to think in terms of January-December, although the 2005 issue of my life was quite eventful in itself. I would venture to say that it was the busiest year out of my 23. In the past 12 months I graduated from college and started the whole process over again at a new institution in a new state and city. The move from home to Wilmington was a big deal but the move from Wilmington to Tampa was even bigger. It was a move to a larger city with much more diversity and a far greater amount of opportunity academically. I left behind my best friend and favorite person in pursuit of something that I feel will make us both happy several years from now. Indeed, 2005 was a year of personal sacrifice and rock-solid determination.
Whats in store for 2006? As I wrap up my first academic year at graduate school Ill begin my first professional research project. I'm not content simply listening to my friends reminisce about good times in Honduras, Im ready to experience it for myself. The great thing about archaeology is that the experiences are virtually limitless. Sure, there is a degree of monotony to field work but in my case, I get to do it in a new environment, seeking out new information and applying whatever the hell I think up to it. Thats the fun (and scary) part about pursuing a graduate degree.
Its too hard for me to make resolutions because I am only content with making long-term goals and seeing them though. I am growing emotionally in such a way that I can only live my life on moment at a time, being sure not to miss the fun parts while always keeping an eye on the prize. If my goal is to climb Mt. Everest, it doesnt matter how I do it as long as I get to the summit. The important thing is to appreciate and not forget the people that help me get there.
Posted by Will at December 31, 2005 02:50 AM in Personal Reflections