December 18 – Try. What do you want to try next year? Is there something you wanted to try in 2010? What happened when you did / didn’t go for it?
In 2011: Travel with Chris internationally.
In 2010: I wanted to submit a writing piece or film piece. In some way, I am not sure why I didn’t. I can easily blame my job for taking away a lot of my motivation or enthusiasm. Or was it the lack of time, especially after I returned home from work? Whatever it was, I am trying to solve this soon.
December 17 – Lesson Learned. What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward?
Carefully consider your travel partner.
I said this before, but the company determines all your experiences.
When traveling, it’s important to consider the person you’ll travel with. They must share your same energy levels, same expectations, same comfort levels, and openness to new things. And most importantly, when everyone is lost, you are going to work together.
My roommate last year said that he learned whether a relationship would last based on how well he traveled with them. It’s true. Like how you learn a lot about someone in an hour of play, you learn an lifetime about someone from a day of travel.
December 16 – Friendship. How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst?
Ta-ching.
In my more college era, I would have taken more drastic measures. But after those years, I had taken a vow to be more mature and more logical.
I remember more than 8 years ago when I questioned why people kept friends who were “annoying”. Why? When they have nothing to give you except grief? I learned from this friend that there’s always something.
Some may call me methodical, but I believe that everyone has something to give whether it’s something tangible or nontangible. It is cold, but there is some use for each person.
The change though was that I realized that even at my age, there are still some people who don’t see the world as I see it. In the way that I have a desire to please. That I don’t want to tread on others’ ambitions and needs.
This is what I learned.
December 15 – 5 Minutes. Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010.
December 14 – Appreciate. What’s the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it?
My parents.
Unlike some Asian parents I know, my parents have rarely compared my sister and me to others. It’s never about a cousin or family friend’s kid…who is better than us and why we can’t be like them. There’s no overbearing family friends. Perhaps it was due to their upbringing in a highly-influenced Western society in Hong Kong. Or the fact that my dad went to college in the US and came to love American things—watching sports and movies.
I am ever so grateful. And by that, I make time to go—how difficult it sometimes is—to dim sum at Peony in Oakland every other week.
December 13 – Action. When it comes to aspirations, it’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step?
Next step.
Harness creativity and make it happen.
I used to say that I enjoyed doing design…the kind of design that I do for products. The kind where the design is so integrated and seamless that it’s barely noticeable.
Although the world has changed with the use of the iPhone, design changes people slowly. Behavior perhaps. It may solves problems.
But the thing I wanted to strive for—to think about the world differently, to change beliefs…design almost isn’t enough.
And so this is my next step: to do something where I can do that.
December 12 – Body Integration. This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn’t mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present?
This story of survival and success. Simply put.
December 11 – 11 Things. What are 11 things your life doesn’t need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life?
1. Fees
Ticketmaster fees. Bank fees. ATM fees. Shipping. I will go to whatever lengths to avoid these. Whether it’s to buy directly from the ticketholder. Switch banks. etc.
Expectation: Save money
2. Plaque
I will floss better. I swear.
Expectation: Teeth health
3. Aches
Most likely caused by not so great posture at the computer. Lack of frequent exercise. Thus, will try to find ways to building muscle strength and reduce positions that may cause aches.
Expectation: Feel better
4. Envy
Build something that I can be proud of. The portfolio. The blog. The side project. Actually finish.
Expectation: No envy!
5. More tsotchkes
Don’t take stuff because it’s free. Give it away. Really.
Expectation: More space
6. More scratches and dents on the car
Actually learn how to back up properly. How does the steering wheel actually work? That’s something that I need to know.
Expectation: Clean car!
7. Uncertainty
Make it more concrete. Demand it so.
Expectation: Certainty
8. Social anxiety in unneeded places
Not quite sure how to achieve this since I have failed every time. But to take it slowly and truly believe in myself.
Expectation: Everything will be open!
9. Awkward conversations
I wonder if the more that I realize that something is awkward, the more awkward it would be? If I believe that it isn’t and believe it so…would it be less awkward? I had one too many awkward moments this year. So I look forward to have less…or even better, none.
Expectation: Greatness in every way
10. Allergies
Feeling like I want to die with tears falling my face? Certainly not. I should be more diligent with the nasal spray. And cleaning. This is the first year that I have less full-blown days during December without allergies. It’s a miracle!
Expectation: Open!
11. Poor health
I hope that good health will be with everyone close to me. I always wondered if that’s the best wish of all.
Expectation: Good health for all!
December 10 – Wisdom. What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out?
Choices are hard. There are the choices to attend events, to talk to someone, to return an email, to leave conversations.
And yet what was the wisest decision? There are many choices that I made that led to many other choices that led to many things and other decisions.
Could it be any of these?
1. When I decided to follow up on a lunch offer which resulted in a good friendship
2. When I decided to invite random people to a spontaneous dinner party
3. When I said no more
4. When I attended a happy hour far in the east bay
5. When I decided that I would have a car in San Francisco
6. When I decided to go with my current roommate than wait for other potential candidates
7. When I contacted someone via twitter that led to something bigger
Who knows, because the results haven’t completely played out. Yet.
Something nice that I sent to many people!
