In closing…

31 Dec 2011 2 Comments

by straddletheline in my project

Well 2011 ends today (according to the calendar that I use, anyway) and I think that this marks a good time for me to conclude this blog and start anew elsewhere. Perhaps something with a little less poverty and a bit more creativity. 

2012 will also mark the start of a year in which I do not plan to live in poverty (something I could not say about 2010 nor 2011). Although my plans for this year do still involve money. Being debt-free is number one on my to-do list. With the money I received from the AmeriCorps Segal Education award I plan to pay off a majority of what remains on my US Student Loan balance. I still diligently pay down my credit card and I hope that to be at zero by the end of Spring.

My life has not changed radically since starting a new job. I do spend more money and because of a pet-emergency I do have that infamous credit card debt, but I did still manage to live somewhat frugally. I don’t have TV and aside from those Dog the Bounty Hunter marathons, I really don’t miss it too much. Between Hulu and Netflix there is a lot you can just find online. However, Roller Derby has happily taken over much of any free time I have had, and in those rare moments when I am not skating, I am watching YouTube videos on skating or making skate jewelry out of Fimo Clay.

Living in poverty and working within an impoverished community really taught me a lot of lifeskills and changed my viewpoints. I have realized that you can only help those who wish to be helped, and not everyone wants to be helped. Some people are happy in their current situation, even if it is not a situation we think is best for them, nor one that we’d want to live in ourselves. But that’s ok. In 2012 and beyond I will continue to try and come to terms with that, despite frustrations or feelings of self-righteousness. I will also continue to search for ways in which I can help those who truly want to be helped and let those who aren’t yet ready know that I will be here when they are.

I do not know where 2012 will take me professionally, but I do hope that whatever happens I still am able to work with those in need in some form or fashion. For many years I have had a flittering of a desire to do public service work and now that I am here, now that I see the bureaucracies, the frustration, the laziness, the lack of motivation, and how it can emotionally bankrupt an individual…I want to participate more than ever. I will find inlets around the bureaucratic roadblocks, I will focus on those who want to be helped, and I will do more Yoga and skate harder to recharge my own self.

To anyone who has ever read this, either with purpose or on accident, thank you. Seeing that there had been views other than my own encouraged me to keep writing. This blog provided a great outlet but also allowed me to receive input from the outside. 

I hope 2012 is as good of a year for you as it will be for me.

 

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