New Year, New Me?

As today is the last official day of 2007, I have been spending some time thinking about what happened this year ... and more importantly what I am hoping for in 2008. I tend to be a bit scatter-brained, jumping from thing-to-thing and project-to-project. At times, this habit of mine creates a sense of panic, when I realize that I have 100 things on my plate and that each of these things is about 10% finished. I feel overwhelmed and unsatisfied, freak out for a bit, and then go back to my ususal ways.

2007 was no different - I was all over the place. BUT I did commit at the beginning of the year to run a marathon, and after many (MANY) months of training and one failed attempt, I finally did so on December 2. Don't think that I didnt think of quitting...several times over those long months of training I almost convinced myself to give it up and move onto something new. I am glad that I overcame my own self, in addition to the other obstacles thrown my way, to complete the Las Vegas Marathon.

I hope in 2008 to be a bit more consistent. To actually finish what I start before moving on to something "bigger and brighter". As I mention occasionally, I am a PhD student ... and I think 2008 is going to have to be the year I really hunker down and get the ball rolling on this dissertation. I have been thinking about it a lot lately and trying to will myself into this next big commitment. In addition to school though, I need some other major goal. Each year I strive to do something new - something I have never done before that will not only teach me something and make me learn, but that will ultimately make me a better person. In 2007 I ran the Las Vegas Marathon, in 2006 I helped build a house in Poland for Habitat for Humanity, in 2005 I quit my job and went back to get my PhD, etc. What will mark 2008 for me? Ultimately I would like to make 2008 "the year I get my head on straight" ... but I think thats more like a goal for 2015 :)

For now I am hoping that 2008 brings much to me that 2007 did - lots of fun and laughter, new friends and new experiences. I hope that somehow, in my sleep tonight, I have an amazing dream that will clearly indicate to me what new type of "marathon leap" I will make in the coming year.