So, today is my birthday. I guess this is the time that I'm supposed to look back at the last year and figure out something from it.
Here are some of the highlights:
- I saw my baby sister become a mom. I am so proud to be a mama to Deven. I guess my uncle/cousin Neeraj was right when he said that that relationship is pretty special. I just need to figure out how to make it Chicago more often to see him...and my sister and brother-in-law, of course (they aren't that important :-)
- I adopted a dog from the Denver Dumb Friends League. Kai has been a wonderful addition to my life, even when I get annoyed at him for tracking mud in the house or chewing one of my shoes. It's just crazy how attached I've become to him and how I miss him when he's not around.
- I spent countless hours toiling away outside of house working on the landscaping. It's one of the reasons I wanted to be a homeowner. I actually enjoy that kind of thing, even if it has taken me many months to get things done. It would have taken longer if I didn't have help from my parents when they came and visited. I'm not 100% there yet, but it's definitely in a shape that I will be able to enjoy for many years to come. I'm pretty proud of the work that I've put into it.
- I started putting a lot more effort into volunteering and other charitable causes. In the past, I would talk about it, but this time, I actually am now a volunteer at the Children's Hospital and have done stuff for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. That has made me feel like a better person that I'm helping others.
It was a really positive year I think overall. Maybe closer to the end than at the beginning, I feel like there's a lot more momentum.
Socially: I'm definitely more active that I have been. I've met some really good people that are fun to hang out with, like the Michigan Alumni group, Red Wings Meetup group, Euchre meetup group, the Ski and Snowboard meetup group, the indian meetup and mixer groups, my kickball team. While I can't say that I've made the closest of friends yet, it's getting there.
Dating: My ex definitely set the bar pretty damn low, so there's no where to go but up. I'm definitely meeting so many better people now. I decided to open myself up to meeting anyone, not just Indians. Nothing has stuck so far. I'm pretty patient, and I'm not going to rush into a relationship just because...otherwise I end up with someone like my ex. I know that things will happen. In the meantime, I'll have fun.
Work: I'll admit that in the last year, I've been in cruise-control. Definitely coasting. On one hand, it was good because I was able to do a lot of things that I wouldn't have been able to do. On the other hand, there's some momentum to get back to the same level of productivity that has been my reputation. Nothing yet set in stone. It is Oracle and I have to deal with the slowness here. But, the desire to advance is there once again.
Health: I don't know what to say here. I really feel like things are a little mixed. While working outside, I think I burned a lot of calories. But I made that up by not cooking and eating more crap from outside. For the upcoming year, I will be joining Team-in-Training (injury permitting), which will help me get in shape again (and of course, helping me raising money for LLS). I always feel like there's a struggle here, and I just need to keep figuring out how to get that push so I'm not slacking off.
I guess I don't feel like I have too much insightful stuff to talk about. I definitely feel old and there's alot of pressure that comes with age, but I'll deal with it. I've dealt with worse. Most people try to come up with goals. I've tried that it with mixed results so I won't bother trying to set goals this time. I think that I just want to keep the momentum going and finish up the calendar year with a bang.