The New Year has come in Germany. New Year is a big holiday for me. In recent years I would go so far as to say that it has been bigger for me than Christmas. This trend started at the end of 2005 when I reached an all time low in my life. I remember sitting alone that New Years vowing that, no matter what happened, I would make SURE that the next year was better.

And it was. I made the same vow the year after that. Every year I vow to find some way to top the last year, if not in every way than in at least one aspect. I've learned as I look back from year to year, a lot of it is a matter of perspective. I had a lot of down times in the last few years. I had a couple of times when I was downright depressed. But the one thing I won't tolerate is inertia, and every year is a triumph when viewed from the right perspective (that perspective generally being 'the long view.')

2006- Got desk job at the vet clinic. Got back on my feet.
2007- Got back into college.
2008- First full year of college. Made friends. Got all As. Spent first full summer in Germany. Became engaged right before New Years.
2009- Continued kicking butt, more or less, in college. I kind of can't remember if I did anything awesome in 2009 but let's pretend I did. I stayed the course and staying the course is pretty awesome.
2010- Graduated college. Lost a whole bunch of weight. Ran 5k race. Moved to Germany. Got married. Got pregnant. Those last two might have been switched but since it was a matter of three or four days we can fudge it a bit. Whew. What a year!
2011- First full year in Germany. First full year of marriage. Became a mother. Subsequently figured out how to be a mother (more or less.)

I don't know that much could ever top the birth of our son, but I'm sure looking forward to what's ahead! I also look forward to my second year of marriage. First years are rough (or so I hear,) and with a baby and me being new immigrant it was even more of an adjustment. All things considered I think we did really well. Recently I've felt a big release in tension and a lot of our "old selves" coming out with each other. We're getting in step.

As for resolutions...

* I want to get running again and do the Stadtlauf in October (at least the 6k but preferably the 10k).

* I want to write the current novel and outline another.

* I want to be the best wife and mother I can be.

* I want everyone I love to feel that I love them.

Goodness gracious, now time for sleep. I intended this to be a quicky post and then I got all nostalgic.