Start With Me.

There’s always an unspoken pressure when it comes to writing the first post of the new year.

It’s a bit like writing the first chapter of a book.  One wants to dazzle, to impress. Carrying this notion, most of the time I’d end up writing nothing. So I’m going to chuck all that ego and insecurities behind to jot something as to kick start the new year.

As every year ends and I thought I’ve had enough, the next year never ceases to surprise me.

So it’s only natural for me to anticipate more things in 2011.

For one, the Student will be finishing my degree program by this September.  A journey that a lot of us thought was taking forever is finally about to come to an end. It’s a bit too early for the nostalgic feeling to kick in, so I won’t talk about that much just yet.  Maybe later.  It’ll come, it always does.

I want to go to some place where I can marvel at something. ~Eat, Pray, Love.

The Traveler has been itching to go out there and see a little bit more of the unknown world. Since last December, I noticed that my list of to-go places has been increasing rapidly – the United States (East to West Coast, baybeh!), Russia, UK, Africa, Cambodia, Europe (Venice, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam), etc. – I just hope that in time to come, my income will be sufficient too.  Any potential travel buddies who don’t mind lots of walking and getting lost, please apply within. Guts to do sky-diving and bungee jumping is a plus point, thank you.

Easy reading is damn hard writing. ~Nathaniel Hawthorne

The Writer had quite a ball writing seven chapters of the December series in, well, December.  It’s fun when there’s just so much inside waiting to be transformed into words, to weave a story, to share. I’m not as good of a writer as I would like to be, but it boils down to practice.  The main challenge of writing is to keep writing. While there’s a busy year ahead of me, I hope to squeeze in more time (and discipline) to learn to convey my thoughts and imagination more effectively.

Sometimes I do get to places just when God’s ready to have somebody click the shutter. ~Ansel Adams

The Photographer inherits a new (old) camera this time around!  My brother bought a new one, so he’ll be lending me his Canon 400D to experiment and play with.  I’m not really sure if I have the time, but what I’m more concern about is how long I’ll be patient enough to lug a huge camera kit around!

As for painting and daubing, I haven’t been doing much of that at all. No inspiration. At least not yet. The Dauber’s been pretty quiet last year, and makes no sign of coming back this year. Can only wait and see.

And last but not least, the Child is embarking on a new journey with the Creator.  I see a few things in a different perspective now, and I foresee more changes ahead. But this time, I’m less afraid.

Will 2011 be a good year?  It’s already starting to be great one, and I hope, it only gets better.