A Reflection Upon 2010

Key Words: Content, Negativity, Adventures, Space Bags, Benson&Stabler


Before I set out and make elaborate posts about my European adventures and travels, I wanted to reflect upon this past year. In July, Keith began Anchor clubs with saying, '2010, let's do it again'. By the end of July, people wanted to retract that phrase. Even before then, however, I was already starting to doubt 2010. Without hesitation, I can safely say that I cannot wait until the ball drops and 2011 strikes a beautiful new year. I'm not regretful about anything; every moment from January to December has been such an unprecedented learning experience. 


I'm really hoping to find some new inspiration in London. My passion for music and my goal to do music and behavioral therapies is still content, but that's all it is; content. I'm just content. I used to have a spark of picking up my ukulele and playing, but instead I'll just ignore the case sitting next to my bed. Lorelyn and I bought a set of Harmonicas in every key and while I was doing office hours, the entire third floor of Midrise could hear me playing children's music in the key of C for about a month, but now the case just sits on my bedside. I started teaching myself Chopin's Nocturne Op 27 No. 1 in the beginning of the summer, and I'm ashamed to say that I'm not finished. I try to blame my left hand (that it's too small for the connecting stretches), that I didn't have Elina as an instructor (even though that's such a cop out, she really just brings what I have done to a whole new level). Before 2010, I never saw the glass as anything but half full. I thought it was my mission in life to help others see it that way as well. What 2010 has taught me, is that it's ok that negativity does exist and that sometimes I need to see the glass as empty. It is that it is imperative more than ever that we need to be thankful for what we have, every day and in a twisted way, half empty brings out those blessings. Although on the surface it may not seem like it, this year has made me appreciate even more what I have and who I have in my life. 


Since all who will be reading my blog most likely know me, and I know that I am the furthest thing from a Debbie Downer..I'll lighten the mood and move onto the good stuff: my Eurotrip. Yasin and I depart from JFK on January 5th at 10pm. (I know people have done it before but how I'm supposed to pack for 4 months, even with Space Bags, is beyond my comprehension). We have a ravishing orientation upon arrival and then classes begin the Monday after. Apparently it's been snowing there and the temperature has been hovering around 0. My class schedule for the first half of the semester is 
Monday: 9am: British Life and Culture, 5pm: Understanding Civilizations: Islam and the West
Tuesday: 5pm: Music in 20th Century Britain
Thursday: 1pm: Understanding Civilizations: Islam and the West
Friday: 9am: Music in 20th Century Britain
Also during the first half of the semester, I will be going on interviews around London for my internship, which will take place during the second half of my semester, replacing my courses. I requested to be placed in somewhere doing Psychology, Music Therapy...so I hope I get something interesting!


For my Islam class, at the end of the first half of the semester I'm taking a 'class trip' to Istanbul. Also, I applied for a BCA Peace conference in France. The theme is: U.S.-, European Relations: Differing Perspectives on Environmental Issues. I will also plan on taking advantage of my friends studying in other various countries. I want to drink beer in Ireland and make Doc proud, I want to go plate smashing in Greece, I want to learn arabic in Morocco. No food will go untasted and no adventure slip away.


Follow me here, twitter (abrakasarah), or don't follow me at all. I'm going to be cyber-selfish and write all about myself and my adventures from now until when I feel like stopping.


Completely erroneous: Although one of the goals on my bucket list was to watch every episode of Law and Order (and I had eliminated Law and Order: LA because come on, Law and Order belongs in New York), I was flipping through channels today and I discovered Law and Order on BBC; yes, a British Law and Order. After 15 minutes, I am eliminating that whole series from my bucket list as well. I don't know what Dick Wolf was thinking with those two series. Oh well, I'll stick with my New York City series; leaves me with about 900+ episodes..


Boom!