Terminalcoffee discussion

Happy New Year!! So what do you want to do in 2009? What have you been putting off in terms of travel, learning, adventure, etc. that the arbitrary turning of the calendar may spur you finally to do?

1. I want to return to the Badlands/Black Hills. I haven't been there in three years, and I miss the spiritual renewal and sense of place in western South Dakota. I know it's tourist hell to some people, but the "tourist hell" part masks the fact that to many Native Americans western South Dakota is a holy place. I also want to visit the southwest, particularly New Mexico and Arizona. I've never been to either place, and I'm fascinated by some of the church architecture.

2. I'm considering taking a class or two again but I'm very wary of using school to provide structure when I can create my own. I fell into that pattern for too many years.

3. I want to explore Milwaukee more. I've lived near the city for eleven years but I still don't feel as if I know it well, probably because I was busy with work, school, kids, etc. and didn't have a lot of time to just wander the city.

And....you?

I want to get through the surgery to repair my fractured pelvis so I can get back to a decent exercise level and take of this weight that's crept back on because I can't do anything that burns a decent number of calories.

RA, I think we talked about this somewhere else, but I love the Black Hills. There really is something about them that feels "oooweeeooo." One of my long-term grown-up goals is to go back there sober. (I went three times as a biker chick, but we partied through most of it.)

Also, I finally finished my Master's, and even though I was still technically a student (working on my research project), it's been a while since I had a theory class, and I was thinking, "Man, I really miss taking classes." But then I started reading Principles of Economic Sociology on my own the other day, and it brought back all the thrill of the theory classroom with none of the annoying paper requirements and all. I do miss having a professor and other students to discuss things with, but this is fulfilling for now.

Well, I am going to India for 2 weeks in January so I def am going to do that. Also, I hope to write something that gets published in 2009. I am going to ride my motorcycle more, read more and drink better coffee more while worrying less. I am planning on starting a journal and eating extra Almond Joy ice cream this year. I have two of my children getting married this year and I want to appreciate and reflect on my kids more...and find a new adventure or two.

Welcome to TC, Kevin...

Mindy, I'm with you on the school issue...on one hand I like the classroom structure, but I don't need it anymore. Since I can take classes for free where I work I feel I should, but I don't want to take away from my family, who have put up with me in school for pretty much the last fifteen years. So I'm going to put my toe slowly back into that river, if you will, if I go back in the water at all.