As the year comes to an end and another one begins, most of us tend to focus on the things we didn’t do or the resolutions we didn’t follow through on. A post I wrote over 2 years ago had a list of things I wanted to do and I STILL haven’t done all of them. Instead of dwelling on “failures”, how about we reflect on the accomplishments and steps forward? Although the idea of a fresh start based on a date on a calendar is cheesy (you don’t need to wait for January 1st to roll around), it’s always good to pause and learn from what your days have led up to. That, or you can just pause every 4 years. I’m going on my 15th year here so I want to reflect on the last one.

For 2014:

Briefly visited 6 new cities and revisited 3 old ones. I didn’t get to experience all cities equally but I did try with the time that was given to me. I learned to appreciate parts of Dubai after multiple visits but Budapest takes the cake this year. I also realized that I rate hotels in a very illogical way using 3 criteria:

1. If there is a power outlet and master light switch next to the bed.
2. The free stationery that I’m taking home as a souvenir (mainly the pen/pencil but gold stars for postcards).
3. The taco-human quality of the mattress. The mattress is the hard shell and must hug me like I am ground beef.

Rode the Teleferique in the middle of a thunderstorm. The days when you decide to be batshit crazy are the ones that stay with you. And with your friend who has a fear of heights.

Sold a few cards I designed myself (finally!).

Had ribs for the first time because I wanted to be Frank Underwood for an hour. This is an accomplishment in my mind. I still believe Freddy’s exists somewhere and I will find it. If anyone does this, invite me over.

Reconnected with my California roots (and family) only to find that I’m more Arab than I even know and Disneyland is not the same at 26.

For 2015:
– Keeping a logbook
– Starting my line of greeting cards
– Going to Barcelona, Berlin, and a few towns in Morocco (too much?)
– Have more ribs and #justlove.

Check back with me in 360 days to see where I’m at.