This year, I resolve…
japra | Dec 16, 2008 | Comments 14
Filed Under: Blog
About the Author: JaPRA is an expat Texan living in England with her husband (Mr. DJ), their 17-year old daughter (Roxi), and their dog Trudy.
I am doing things a bit out of order this year, thinking about New Year’s resolutions before Christmas. But since things will be crazy once we touch down in Texas next week, I thought now is as good a time as any to get my brain pointed in the right direction for next year.
Actually, I gave up New Year’s resolutions some time ago when I noticed the same ones kept popping up year after year. I turned these so-called “resolutions” into life-long habits and all other goals were recorded and reviewed around the time of my birthday. This works very well for me, by the way.
However, when we moved to England in February 2007, I made one BIG resolution: for one year, I would not undertake any outside projects. No volunteering, no pro-bono work, no freelance work. I was going to devote one whole year to thinking about what it was that I wanted to do next. It was going to be my sabbatical.
What it turned into was a crazy time of moving three times, learning to live in another country, getting my daughter settled into a new school, discovering the joys of living so close to the Continent, playing tourist in London, making new friends (and saying goodbye to them when they moved back to the states just months after I met them!), and basically rebuilding our lives on this side of the pond.
This year, I’ve felt more settled in this new-to-me place. I’ve made more friends, things aren’t quite so challenging, and I feel like I can think beyond survival mode. So now it’s time for me to make my list of things I want to DO, not just places I want to visit.
Number one on my list is to make art my priority. I don’t think it ever has been, even when I was taking classes or making jewelry to sell. But this is the year. It needs to be done.
There. I’ve put my wish out into the Universe. Now I just need to figure out a way to make this work.
Good for you.
I’d say you’ve made pretty good use of your time. This blog is great, and I’m sure you’ve made friends through it.
As for your art –
You take gorgeous, lush photos. Don’t ever kid yourself that those photos aren’t art.
The way you frame a shot, and the eye you have for color really can’t be learned. (As I’m finding)
Good luck on your goals.
Oh – Have a safe trip, FSM only knows what the weather will be when you get here.
Yesterday we had a 40 degree (F) swing in temp from the high to the low. It is cold now, but is supposed to be raining and in the 70′s in a day or two.
Hope Christmas in Texas is lots of fun.
I hear they have had cold weather.Yes, you should make art your priority – after family and friends.
Lov from New York.
BSR–Thank you for your encouraging words! I have been in such limbo with my photos. I’m still working through computer problems (frustrating!!), but I hope to have it resolved by the new year. I have really enjoyed your photography as well and hope that you’ll find more time to enjoy your camera this coming year. Selfishly, I hope you’ll post some shots of the Lone Star State and the local cuisine. We Texans get pretty homesick over here! PS What is FSM?
Elizabeth–I feel like I have been in such flux about my art these last two years. I am having a hard time focusing! Part of my problem is I don’t have deadlines to work towards so things linger and remain undone. But yes, for sure art first after family and friends. And after travelling too ;-)
Good luck with your art this year, nothing like setting goals for yourself. You’re a top notch blogger and your photos are amazing.
Oh the adventure of living abroad. It is a lifelong memory. You have turned your life and brain inside out and grown in so many ways. Do not be surprised if your stateside friends don’t recognize this change. You know.
Now that your resolution is out there in the universe, it will come true.
What is FSM?
:)
As I don’t do “God”, I use FSM.
Christine–I do very well with goals (and telling people about them), so I am hoping that this will give me the push I need. Thanks for your kind words!
Ginny–It is really something to live abroad. I don’t think I had any clue what it would be like! There’s a lot of “everyday living” thrown into the mix. Of course, it’s everyday living in a different culture. Still having fun, though :-)
BSR–Okay, got it. I would never have guessed that one!!
Hope it all goes to plan! :)
Enjoy Texas.
Was going to write something and then got distracted by Brave Sir Robin and FSM and had to go and have a look at that…anyway. Am back! Just wanted to say go for it with your art. Its out in the universe now! Just DO. So hard to start but once you have… there will be no regrets. Only in what you don’t do.
Nice blog by the way!
The Universe says don’t worry about how. :)
I’m so excited for you to start on your new year of art!
Have a good time in TX!
Akelamalu–Thank you!
Ladybird World Mother–You are right!! And I got distracted with BSR’s FSM too. I enjoyed my visit to your blog as well. Your part of the country looks very beautiful.
Laurie–Thanks for the reminder. You have been paying attention!!
Alyson–Thanks, I’m trying not to be a perfectionist about it ;-) And as much as I am loving England, it will be good to be back in Texas again. Hope you feel better soon!!
I have had too many years of just rebuilding my life — of getting that edifice in place. I completely identify with this post, and I fervently hope that it proves to be an artistically satisfying year for you.
Bee–One of the things I severely underestimated about expat living is the amount of energy it takes to get everyday things done. Even small tasks like doing the laundry or going to the grocery store take longer and more effort! At least I didn’t have to learn a new language–just a new accent ;-) Thank you for your encouraging words. Your friendship is one of the things I will treasure from our time here!