That's All Folks!

Shattering Assumptions

Well, we have come to the end of another year. I feel like I should make some grand pronouncement or craft some cutesy list of my year in review. But, I think I want to keep it simple and neat. 

This year, was definitely better than last year. It had its challenges, but it was much more rewarding than anything else. I believe the Get My Life Right Campaign of 2011 (GMLRC) was a success. 2012 marks my inauguration into right living. 

I rediscovered a lot about myself this year. A lot of this year was learning how to be "okay" with how things were/who I was. I have spent a lot of my life wanting to be someone/something else AND still be me at the same time. It is just not possible. You are either true to yourself or you are not. I have decided that being true to myself makes for a less conflicted life. However, I also realize being true to myself means walking a lonely road. 

Most people aren't interested in who you are. Unless who you are in some way adds some prestige to their life. Don't get me wrong, there are a select few, but they are really hard to come by.  Many people (in their brokenness and struggle for acceptance) are trying so hard to stay afloat themselves, that they don't have the time and energy to really invest in others. I am not writing this out of a place of bitterness (I actually feel optimistic about people in general), but out of observation. 

This year was about discovering who I am, who I really am, and convincing myself that who I am is good and worthy of love even when I encounter a world that, often, tells me otherwise. I was on a journey of being okay with the fact that I am an awkward, bookish, over-analytic, sensitive, private person who will be often misunderstood. Along that journey I discovered that there will be friends who will value who I am, just as I am, and I needn't worry about the rest. I was reminded that love (of all kinds) is hard work and is not for the faint at heart. I found the deep love of friendship. I am still on the journey of romantic love, but I no longer fret it's coming. This next sentence will be so cliche, but what ever... I have learned to love myself flaws and all and out of that I am seeking to truly connect with people who can/will do the same. 

So, next year I have only one resolution. To live authentically and consequently more fully.  This year was about learning and being. Next year will be about doing. 

That's all folks. 

Mission Accomplished?

“There’s a trick to the 'graceful exit.' It begins with the vision to recognize when a job, a life stage, or a relationship is over — and let it go. It means leaving what’s over without denying its validity or its past importance to our lives. It involves a sense of future, a belief that every exit line is an entry, that we are moving up, rather than out.”
― Ellen Goodman

Last year, I wrote about this being the year of Genial Ginny. I also started the GMLRC for 2011. I also talked about the things I want to do before turning 30... So how has all of that gone, you ask? I know I have a few weeks left, but lots of the major things in my life this year have already come to an end, so I will do some pre-end of the year reflecting/reporting out.

Miss Congeniality
I don't know that the mission of Genial Ginny was totally accomplished. I did manage to exercise a little less pessimism this year than I have in the past (hey, baby steps, right?!). For the most part it has been a good year. I felt more settled in who I am as a Ph. D. student. I accomplished some things (on the educational front) that I feel proud of, so overall I feel like life as it was connected to school was a #WIN over all. My interpersonal life has been all over the place. I have (unfortunately) neglected friends due to personal issues and some monetary constraints, my dating life was...interesting, and family life continues to be a conundrum. Maybe in 2012 I can reach the fullness of congeniality?

GMLRC 2011
Did I get my life right?! Well, for the most part I would say yes. I had to make some sacrifices, but I am more on track with my finances, school, and some other things. Some relationships that had been strained in the past are on the mend. I learned more about myself and what works for me (on various different fronts). Mostly, I will be leaving this year feeling accomplished.

Destination 30
Hmmm... yeah, so those projects I said I was going to do...not yet started. I just passed the halfway point to 30, so if I am going to do them, I'd better get on it! I think this season will be a good opportunity to do all three projects: 30 photos of promise, 30 poems for 30 years, and 30 prayers for 30 people. I am about to be doing a lot of praying, and that is actually a really good thing, because I haven't spent nearly the amount of quality time with my Daddy as I should!

Quick life updates:
Fall Semester - officially over! It was good, busy, stressful, and productive.
The new beau - is no more. The shortest real relationship I ever had, but still many lessons to be gleaned. The break up was (mostly) amicable. I think it was for the best, so no regrets (about the relationship or its ending)
Salsa - still on the fence, but looking forward to being able to do more of it over the break!

Well, that's all folks (for now). Have a very Merry Christmas. I'll post again before the New Year!

Our Dreams Can't Wait

One of the things that I do for my assistantship that I love is making promotional flyers for events. This one is one of the more simple one's I made, but it really has me thinking a lot of privilege and aspirations.

The College of Education in conjunction with others has been putting on a series of events surrounding the bill that was passed in Georgia prohibiting undocumented students from attending five of the major public universities , UGA being one of them. To be honest, I am not sure where I stand on the issue of undocumented immigrants overall. What I can say about it is that I can honestly understand their plight, in part. Many of them are coming from countries in which the conditions prevent them from striving after their dreams. Under such circumstances, I can understand coming to this country under any means necessary to at least try to have a chance at that. I have friends that are undocumented and they are some of the hardest working, kind, and grateful people I know. But, I do understand the cost of undocumented immigrants as well and can't ignore that.


When it comes to higher education, though... It is already difficult for them to get there and the university system makes sure they pay for it (they have to pay out-of-state tuition regardless of where they actually live). The argument is that they take the place of students that could be going to the schools. In a perfect system that might be a valid argument save for two things: 1) the nepotism that is incessant in higher education ("Oh you are the daughter of a senator? Come right on it! It doesn't matter that you have a 2.1 GPA and someone with a better GPA will no be allowed in.") 2)If these students are performing well enough in schools that they can gain entry into the more selective schools, why deny them entry. The only make the campus the better for it.

"Our dreams can't wait." That was a statement that I stumbled across connected to this issues. You give me someone who has endured the hardship (or their parents, whomever) to pick up, leave everything else behind, work extra hard to achieve (don't get me started in the laziness of today's culture...) and I'll give you a prime candidate for higher education.

The problem is we have forgotten what the purpose of it really is.

A Vestige of Lassitude

Today is the last day of regular classes. I have one paper and a final left. Last week was...a nightmare, but I survived.

I have a lot of catching up to do (mainly with work hours), but I don't feel overwhelmed. There is a vestige of the lassitude of last week in my spirit, but I feel I am on the cusp of renewal and I am excited about this. This time last year I was coming out of the depths of self-doubt and finding strength in who I was and my own two feet. This year, I have felt confident, though stretched and pulled to my limits.

So, I rejoice in progress. I look forward to the future. Most of all, I can't wait for Winter Break!