The new year, the new decade, so much to do!

Admittedly, I wasn't that psyched about the New Year. 2009 was a very challenging year, what with Andy finishing his PhD and getting a new job, and me continually trying to plot a course towards my own graduation while, at the same time, trying to figure out "what I want to be when I grow up."

I still think back to the psychic reading I *think* I got in 2008. Her main message was I needed to lighten up and not worry so much about where I was going. I think I made some progress towards that goal, so that's good. I still don't know what the "global focus" message she gave me means, but of course I try not to worry about that so much.

NYE was a good day, in part because I've gotten some good writing done this week: I finished my paper manuscript and sent it out to my coworkers for review, I wrote a blog entry for the American Society of Microbiology's blog "Small Things Considered" which may get posted soon, and wrote one last Tiny Topics blog post for 2009.

In trying to figure out what my career/life goals could be for the year ahead, I've ruminated alot on what parts of me are undeniable. Undeniable in the sense that no matter how stressed or tired I am, no matter what was going on in the rest of my life, these parts of me always come forward and express themselves. Lights that shine even underneath bushels, you know? Well, this is what I came up with:

1. I have always cared about how I look and enjoyed shopping, hairstyles, etc.
2. I have always danced (even if it's just in my room by myself).
3. I have always written something (journals, poems, blog entries . . . ).

Sometimes when I've looked at that list I've been embarrassed. I mean, it's such a girly list. Where's the big accomplishment stuff? The sciencey analytical stuff? The straight A's?

This list highlights for me how critical I am of myself, because no matter how hard I focus on all the other things, these 3 things are always welling up, and when I ignore them my life gets alot less "me."

Right now, I'm actually doing more things that respect the 3 things on this list, and maybe long term I'll focus on them even more? We'll see. 2010 is going to be another big year, and I'm excited to see where it goes.