Most of 2013 was here in South Africa, and I have been getting to know its people, languages, climate, and landscape. I don't know why but it feels really comfortable and easy now as I feel transformed into a real member of the community. I wouldn't have believed I would learn isiXhosa and be braaiing all the time. Even though sometimes I was sad and bored (especially earlier this year) and sometimes insanely busy and super excited, I have resulted in a better person. I am creating more art, cooking more, exercising, and being adventurous. My Jersey attitude is coming out more cause I have now the room to express myself. While, sometimes this can cause problems, mostly it is amusing and no fights have occurred.
Now that I am reflecting on the end of the year, I remember what is most important to me love, creative energy, and sharing myself to the world. Whether that means having a drink at the Rat meeting new friends or spending the day at the beach discovering new things about nature, I am happy to have been able to share my life with other people and enjoy nature. Will and I have been watching an enormous amount of nature shows lately, and I am now more aware of the details of my surroundings fascinated with the plants, insects, and animals.
My vacation with my Mom was great earlier this year and I am looking forward to her and Ed coming to visit. We are planning to spend more time in Kenton to watch the sunsets and enjoy life. Will's parents are coming in Jan too, so there will be a lot of touring going on. It would be great to be able to share this experience with others and hopefully 2014 will allow for more people to visit.
2013 has also been awesome to explore my responsibilities and expectations as a wife. Will and I have been growing together in the most beautiful way. Finding deeper connections through communicating and supporting each other has been wonderful. We are lucky to be so in love.
Also, 2013 has been a year of a lot of successes. I finally got a job with the company I worked for previously. I still get to travel and contribute in a big way to the projects of my past job. Wish me luck in 2014 for more success. Will has been over the top successful teaching, researching, working on his book, journal articles, posters, attending conferences, teaching in Nigeria and whatever else he does. He has been able to get up in the morning continuing to work even in the summer, which takes a lot of determination. This year has had us playing alot of ultimate frisbee together. It was definitely Will's thing in the past, but I always liked throwing a Frisbee, and now I consider it a goal to get better. Will's help and our ultimate friends have made all the difference in our happiness for 2013. Our Grahamstown ultimate friends are so much fun. Even with some people moving away, I am looking forward to continuing next year.
My only resolution for next year is to take more pictures and write more blogs!
Will and I wish everyone a Happy New Year! Hope your 2013 was just as enjoyable as ours.
