Reverb: A Few Months In

 Let's get into this Reverb action!


1. Best moment of January
 Now, it mostly just seems like a blur. I posted on Facebook that I applied for graduation and bought my ticket home so that sounds pretty exciting! I think realizing that I would be graduating soon and that I was actually going to finish this crazy adventure was overwhelming.

2. Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors).
I think the first time that I opened all the windows of my new apartment, the temperature finally being reasonable outside, and I curled up on the couch to watch a bunch of movies on Netflix. Later that day, I baked and cooked dinner, still with the windows open, and was totally happy and calm.

3. Best moment of February

 Going home! It's funny; someone once asked me when I would be returning home and the concept of "home" seems a bit scattered for me now. I don't have one house that I grew up in or a lot of family all in one area. The core of my family, my mom and brother, are in Washington and Oregon, respectively. I consider Portland my hometown but when people ask where I'm from, I usually say Oregon/Michigan, which is obviously confusing.

Random tangent...anyway, I went home! I ate a lot, drank a lot of coffee, drove a lot, and got to see some amazing people that I really missed.

4. Action. When it comes to aspirations, its not about ideas. It's about making ideas happen. What's your next step?
 Oy. With my current mindset, I feel like this is a loaded question! I am in the process of making decisions that will eventually lead to making things happen...I hope.

5. Best moment of March
 Apparently, this was a super busy month! Tons of fun trips and highlights:

• ACPA Convention in Louisville, KY. Amazing opportunity for friendship building and networking. I never actually did a blog post on this event but this was where I attended many workshops, met a lot of great people, and interviewed for my current position. It was very much a learning experience as a graduate student in higher education. I'm missing out on this year's ACPA Convention in Vegas (I know, right?) but am attending and presenting at another great conference.

•  Red Wings Game (!!!) 

This was something on my Michigan bucket list. I am a big hockey fan so being thisclose to one of the best teams ever meant that I had to go. HAD. I was able to share the experience with two of my closest friends and it was damn well worth the money, the time spent circling within the parking lot, and the ridiculous stomach ache from laughing and eating. It will go down as one of the best nights ever.

• TEDxEMU. 

This was my first TEDx experience and it really was a wonderful showcase of talent at EMU. I was so proud of my friends and colleagues that participated and shared their ideas. I actually plan on attending the TEDxColumbia even in January!

 6. Everything's OK. What was the best moment that could serve as proof that everything is going to be alright? 

I know that everything will be alright in my heart. Even in tough times, the only way to get through them is to literally go through them, learn something, and become a better person from the experience. I think I take heart in the fact that I have gotten myself this far in life and as long as I follow my intuition (always...never doubt the intuition), then I will be just fine. 

Six Days Late and a Dollar Short

I always look forward to the reflecting time that December brings; looking back at the last 12 months, look forward to the next 12 months, and remember how much I have to be thankful for despite some challenging days.

The plan, Stan:

1. Best moment of January
2. Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors).
3. Best moment of February
4. Action. When it comes to aspirations, its not about ideas. It's about making ideas happen. What's your next step?
5. Best moment of March
 6. Everything's OK. What was the best moment that could serve as proof that everything is going to be alright?
7. Best moment of April
8. One Word. Encapsulate the year 2012 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2013 for you?
 9. Best moment of May
10. 5 minutes. Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2012 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2012.
11. Best moment of June
12. Friendship. How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst?
13. Best moment of July
14. Love. What does this word mean to you?
15. Best moment of August
16. 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?
17. Best moment of September
18. Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why?
19. Best moment of October
20. Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2012? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2013?
21. Best moment of November
22. Photo. a present to yourself. Sift through all the photos of you from the past year. Choose one that best captures you; either who you are, or who you strive to be. Find the shot of you that is worth a thousand words. Share the image, who shot it, where, and what it best reveals about you.
23. Best moment of December
24. Lesson learned. What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward?
25. What is one picture that best represents 2012 for you?
26. Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year?
27. What are 11 things your life doesn't need in 2012? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life?
28. Inspiration: What are three things that have inspired you this year?
29. What was the theme of your life in 2012? Why?
30. What do you want the theme to be for 2013?
31. Donate blood. Save a life.


 ...Starting tomorrow...

Wordless Wednesday