“Give freely, and without reservation.

2011. A bloody brilliant year.

I laughed, cried, danced, partied, sang, and prayed and loved. I quit my first big girl job, and moved home for a few months. I went to Europe, wandered through Prague’s cobblestone streets, walked across the Charles bridge at night, took trains through the German country side, and experienced my first football game. I messed up royally a couple times, but got back on track.

I love Prague.

I went to Asia, sampled and fell in love with the cuisine, dodged scooters like my life depended on it, experienced wonder at the unusual, laughed off the weird and the crazy and spread some guanxi.

I spent time with old friends and remembered the good old times.

I met some amazing new people who fill my life and enrich it every day.

2011: There’s really not so much to say. It was a damn good year. I’m not saying every day was or is perfect. There are days when I wake up and I’d give anything to see my mom and dad or sleep in my own bed.  Or meet my best friend for a beer…or a Chimy’s margarita.

But there are more days that I cant wipe the ridiculous grin off my face because of how content I am.

I wouldn’t change one thing about this year. I wouldn’t swap any of it.

Here’s what I learned.

Be a good person. People tend to like you more.

If you arent happy with your life, change it.

Just grit your teeth and DO IT. No one else will do it for you. People will help you along the way but ultimately you have to be your own advocate. Be a catalyst for yourself and do something with your life. Why be complacent?

Appreciate your family. They are precious, and you only get one. If you’re lucky, you get two.

If you make mistakes, (who doesn’t?) own up to them. Don’t hide. Admit what you did wrong and go about fixing it. That’s really the only thing you can do.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It took me forever to figure that one out.

Spread love. People deserve it. Give it freely and without reservation.

2011 was my year. It was my year for learning, exploring, discovering, experiencing, trying, and most importantly, living.

I can’t say much more than that, really.

Thanks for the memories, 2011. I’ll never forget this year.

Bring it on, 2012. I expect the magic to continue. I’m ready.

Christmas in Taiwan.

If you had told me a year ago I’d be spending Christmas 2011 in Asia, I might have laughed in your face. My plan was completely different: I’d be in Prague for the holidays, wander around the Christmas markets at night, and ring in the new year somewhere in Europe.

Joke’s on me, apparently!

But I am ok with that. Like I’ve posted before, I’m truly loving my time in Taiwan. My students are wonderful, and classes are getting better and better. I’m getting to know my students…and truly care about them.

I mean, come on, they’re adorable. Look at this:

My yo-yo class, Dec. 17, 2011

As good as things have been lately, I have to admit that the holiday season has fallen a little flat to me this year.

Sure, it’s Christmas, but it’s not the same as back home. In Taiwan, it’s not so much a holiday thing as a commercial thing. There’s no meaning behind the decorations and the music here.

And without much meaning, December is just another month. I did my best to spread some Christmas cheer though. I made Christmas cards, learned how to say Merry Christmas in Chinese and said it simply to amuse my students. We decorated our hostel and hung snowflakes from the ceiling and wore Santa hats. We had a lovely turkey dinner Christmas Eve, and stuffed stockings.

Christmas Eve, 2011.

I went to a Christmas Eve service with my friends, where we were welcomed with open arms and smiles. Although I couldn’t understand much, it was wonderful listening to the Christmas carols and singing along in English. It was a wonderful way to remember what the season is all about: Love.

I avoided feeling homesick, because I could have gone off the deep end that way, and focused on how incredibly lucky I am to be at this point in my life. There is not one thing I would change. I am so content with life in Taiwan.

And that’s a pretty damn cool feeling.

But this holiday season I was reminded of just how much I love my family.

Christmas 2010, Abilene.

It reminded me just how much I love spending Christmas at home, literally wrapped up in my home with those who are most important to me. It reminded me how lucky I am to have that safe haven to return to each year. It reminded me of what Christmas means to me: being with those people I love. The people I couldn’t get through life without.

And that’s what got me through this holiday season. All you guys who sent me an e-card, a text message, talked to me on Facebook?

You made my Christmas feel Christmas-y. And that is a big deal.

Thank you. And Merry Christmas. It was a good one.