The Wayfarer Blog

Farewell, 2007…

Another year has come and gone.

Don’t worry. I won’t take you on yet another nostalgic look back at everything that happened this year. But I do think this was a year full of growth and changes for me. It wasn’t always easy, and it certainly wasn’t always fun. But I am very satisfied and grateful to be where I am today.

I spent about four months using crutches. I lost a lot of chances to take pictures and travel, and be active. And I used up my vacation/sick time. But I also got back in touch with my health, and I’ve been able to address some physical issues. (Nothing serious; I am talking more about my fallen arches, and the fact that I needed to strength certain muscles and loosen up others.) The simple act of walking was, at times, difficult, painful and even frightening. I’m not used to feeling weak and helpless, and that was perhaps the hardest part for me.

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Like usual, I ended up doing everything backwards and upside down, but I thought all of you would get a laugh at what a dummy I am…

Unlike everyone back home, I haven’t been subjected to the same Christmas songs over and over since Halloween, so it was actually fun to hear the occasional song. I mean, I like Christmas music, but do I really need to hear it for two months? Especially since the radio stations play the same stuff over and over. By the time Christmas comes, it isn’t as special anymore.

Anyway, I rarely listen to internet radio these days, but on the 26th, I opened up iTunes and saw a list of holiday music. So for the last few days, I have caught a few songs.

It’s funny, the way music can bring up so many unexpected memories and associations. I almost imagine myself shopping for holiday stuff, riding around looking at Christmas lights.

But not this year.

PS: I am listening to a Dutch station, and they just started playing Dutch commercials. That snapped me back to reality!