26 for 26

UPDATED: SEPTEMBER 25, 2016
I think I did pretty good. I only missed out on six, and there is still time.

Originally Posted: October 2, 2015
As I embark on yet another year in a new place, I was thinking of what I would like to accomplish this year. In no particular order, here are my goals to complete by October 1st, 2016.

1. Run at least a 10k race
2. Deploy nationally - LA floods
3. Snowboard at least once - It was AMAZING
4. Hike at least twice - Bear Mountain, w/Ciku in DC and in PA.
5. Attend a big parade in NYC - so many parades! Thanksgiving Day, Memorial, Pride Festival, FDNY, and more!
6.  Travel out of country (or at least have it booked!)
7. Learn to do something new (enroll in a class?) I did learn a lot of new things even if I didn't enroll in a class
8. Take one of those painting classes (wine and pallet)
9. Volunteer at a big race - NY Marathon! and Brooklyn Half Marathon
10. See a live concert (can be small) - Pandora Music Festival, tons of live music, Americana Festival, etc
11. Tour the 9/11 museum and memorial - when my parents visited we toured, now I have a pass
12. Tour the United Nations
13. Kayak the Hudson - only once and it was just what I needed
14. Take part in a snowball fight
15. Earn a rank in any martial arts or start my own class
16. Date
17. Have a picnic - I always pack food when I hike
18. Go up state at least once - when Glenn visited, we went all over the place from upstate to CT to MA. Everywhere!
19. Have someone visit me! - AmeriFriends passing through, my mom on a layover, Glenn, friends on layovers, my parents, Ciku!
20. Try the pizza place Hollis told me to try - it is closed down. :(
21. Climb to the top of Lady Liberty
22. Re-sign my contract with work - I still can't believe I'm no longer in servic year terms
23. Buy a real bed - my new place came with one
24. Visit all 5 boroughs - often through the Red Cross but nonetheless, I feel well versed in my community
25. Attempt to have a house plant or herb - RIP aloe plant. Stay strong bamboo shoot.
26. Tour a firehouse - maybe it wasn't a tour but I did volunteer inside one

What are your goals?

Don’t worry dad, I got this.

I have never felt, and actually been, more prepared for a position than I am for this one. I’ve spent my last three years bouncing from one contract or service term to another. I’ve lived in Michigan, Colorado and a couple different parts of Oklahoma. Each position and location was radically different from the previous ones. Yet it was through the variety of professional and personal experiences had, that I actually feel ready. As I told my dad the other day, “I got this.”

It was an odd feeling.

In Michigan I learned teambuilding and facilitation skills. My roommate taught me about standing up for oneself and how some comments are just not okay. I learned that I needed to find my own identity, separate from school. She also taught me about Nutella.

The summer after Michigan I drove to Colorado. I am still trying to figure out if this was the hardest experience I will ever love, or just the hardest experience. Either way, it was definitely a year of growth. I wish I had seen it then. While there, I faced social justice issues and learned about nearly every “ism” under the sun. I was exposed to the remarkable world of identities. I don’t think I’ve ever felt more lost. Later I finally understood how much relationships are key, that I need to be part of a group or club outside of work and that if I want to not just survive but to be happy, that I need to find a way to straddle the line of engagement and disengagement.

After completing a year of service in Colorado, I returned home to Oklahoma. I needed time to reboot. I needed to process. I needed to regain trust in myself after completely losing my shit in Washington and nearly walking out on Colorado (thank you Beth and Jen for all your help). Most importantly, I needed to find me. The phrase, “get lost to find yourself” was one I immediately loved when I saw it while in Michigan. What I didn’t understand then, is being lost is terrifying, lonely and filled with anger, sadness and confusion. I used the Red Cross to try everything I was beginning to learn from Colorado. Mainly to make time for things I love and to build up (and utilize) my relationships with a few key people. I learned to take charge, make decisions and further my facilitation experience. The people there showed me what it means to put the clients first. My official and unofficial supervisors modeled the way on how I hope to be as a leader. It was an amazing place to see the life-cycle of a project and to feel incredibly empowered and trusted.   

So now in New York when I’m faced with a problem or a question, I don’t feel lost. I simply start to problem solve based on what I know (thanks Dave Campbell for that penny of wisdom). When a parent is upset, I know to listen to hear if they are just needing to vent or if they really do want an explanation. I feel more excited than nervous to take on my giant roles. I’ve kept my honesty and have been extremely open to hearing feedback without getting defensive. I’ve joined a group outside of work and am soon about to help with the Red Cross. In short, I’m making a home for myself because I finally understand what I need to feel at home.

Thank you to each person who has been a part of my journey. No matter what occurred or how much, you influenced me.

Public Transportation: first 10 day in NY

Things Google Maps does not tell you:

1. Which side of the street your station is on.
2. Buses do not stop at every stop.
3. In fact, buses do not stop unless you hit some non-existent button on the wall to signal you would like to exit.

Things NY Subway stations do not tell you:

1. Cardinal directions: North, South, East, West, Loopty Loop, etc. Maybe they are unaware but being new means I don't know where Forrest Hills, Brooklyn, Jamaica, etc are located. M/R Train towards Forrest Hills is like pointing at a child's imaginary friend and saying, “you see it, right?” Dang it subways, I need stations to say R train Northbound. This I can understand.
2. Not all subway trains are created equal. Just because your first subway train has light up screen with what stops are next and a loud speaker to announce each arrival/departure does not mean all of them do.
3. If a man goes around setting key chains on everyone, it is not a cute “Welcome to New York” favor to keep. Return it or pay up.

Time it should take vs. Actual time

• To Work (by bus) 17 minutes vs 59 minutes, one frantic call to mom and a cab from Manhattan
• To Rebecca's apartment (by sub) 40 minutes vs over an hour and again, ended up in Manhattan
• From Prospect Park (by sub) 46 minutes vs 1.5 hours