2012 come and gone
2012. Where did you go? Like most people around this time do, I reflect on the year that has passed.
WORK:
I tried pushing myself to complete both my masters degree and my teaching certification requirements. On top of a full time teaching job. After breaking down from exhaustion, I dropped out of 2 of the 3 classes I registered for, and narrowly passed the third. I pushed myself too hard to complete everything just because I felt burnt out and wanted everything done now. Remind me never to do that again.
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Word of mouth led me to several paying gigs with photography over the summer. I was thrilled to shoot my first wedding along with some portrait sessions. I now have my second wedding booked for September of 2013. I also sold my old Olympus e510 and used money from my photo gigs to buy a Canon 5d Mark II and flash. Then, added Lightroom to my editing software, which has saved me a ton of time post processing.
TRAVEL:
2012 was an interesting travel year for me. I planned a month long trip through India but left the day after I arrived. I didn’t prepare myself for the extreme poverty I would witness and felt awful about touring for a month without also helping in some way. So I left. It wasn’t a total bust, though. I got to do something I always wanted to do- show up at an airport and take the first flight out of the country. I landed in London, and had a blast.
I also did my first road trip. I made a solo trip across PA twice this year. Until then, I had never driven more than an hour to get somewhere.
LIFE:
I got engaged! I don’t consider that an accomplishment, but it’s certainly worth mentioning. 
WHAT’S UP FOR 2013
Next year will be about strength and growth. I am eager to try as many new things as possible and really stretch myself to grow. I am planning a number of personal challenges and projects through the year to get me out of my comfort zone and reach new levels.
I’m also asking for advice and challenges. What do you think I should try for next year?
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