Hello 2011!

Around the campfire at Jtree

Every year I write and reflect. It's one of the few habits I have that I'm proud of.
 I can go back to my first blog and read my resolutions from 2002, and I can go back on paper and find them from years earlier. 


I'm a firm believer that reflection is the only way to make progress. Unless you take the time to see where you've been, how can you know where you are going, much less control or change it? 

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After Devils Tower

Sometimes I look back and am surprised by everything that's happened. This year I'm not. 2010 felt overly full and busy. At times it was good, at others it was bad. I can't say that this year was a total success or failure, but I did learn a whole lot about myself. 

So how did I do this year...

2010 Resolutions:
I, Aleya Littleton, do hearby resolve to:
      1. Continue to "Get better" - Did a good job with this one.
      2. Publish in the NSTA magazine. - No, but I'm in the ASP journal, which I think counts. Mostly cause I got a bonus. :)
      3. Blog consistently to work on my writing skills. - Did pretty well with this one.
      4. Climb a mountain.  - No, but I'm signed up for Gannet Peak in 2011.
      5. Travel outside the country. - Nope, didn't happen.
      6. Conquer my fear of falling. - Not entirely, but I've made significant progress.
      7. Lead lots of sport, and one pitch of trad :) - Lead some sport, and STARTED LEADING TRAD!! (Big deal)
      8. Continue to be good with my money. - Doing alright. Could be better.
      9. Take up running, cause it's good for me. - I'd say this is at 50%
      10. Support HERA, Compassion, and Big City Mountaineers. - Done
      11. Volunteer with Honor Flight. - Did not do this :(
      12. Bring my mom on a "vacation" to DC. - This didn't happen either.
      13. Speak positive words. Less complaining, more encouraging. - Total and complete failure.
      14. Actually start grad school. - No, but for a good reason.
      15. Learn to play harmonica. - How about Ukulele?
      16. Cook, lots, in the kitchen, with an apron. :) - Or quit cooking all together...

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I could have done better. My list for this year was pretty un-inspiring. What happened in reality was much much better:
- I saw a night launch of the space shuttle.
- I was at Kennedy Space Center, working my outreach magic for the launch of my very own (well, not mine per-say) spacacraft. 
- I was a "VIP" at another shuttle launch.
- I won $10,000.
- I gave away nearly all of it.
- I got to be interviewed lots because of it, finally giving me a platform to talk about the things that are most important to me.
- I taught a workshop at the mecca of science teaching: the education center at KSC. (Not gonna lie, I cried a little.)
- I saw my first book published.
- I gave a workshop for that book with my conspirator of 2 years. 
- I climbed in: WV, MD, PA, NY, CO, CA, WY and NH.
- I met at least a hundred of the coolest people on earth (climbers and geeks alike), along with some of my virtual heroes. 
- I became an unofficial authority on something.
- I started to lead traditional climbing routes. 
- I climbed Devils Tower.
- I registered for a Summit for Someone climb.

On the positive side this year has been epic beyond belief. But it hasn't all been good. The unbelievable "up" of this spring was countered by the deep "down" of this fall - personal stuff aside, I almost lost myself completely. In the process I learned some valuable lessons: 

Know yourself. Pay attention to what makes you tick, and when something is off balance, take steps to fix it. 
People are so much more important than things or activities. When you love someone, make them a priority. Things come and go, it's the people that make our lives rich.
Don't always follow your gut. Sometimes your brain knows what's right, even though your heart is confused.
What you do is often limited by what you believe. What do you believe about yourself and your world? How is that holding you back?
Nature craves balance. What goes up, comes down. Good times fade to bad, which in turn fade to good again. Accepting that balance is one way to find peace. Wage war on your circumstances, but be aware of the bigger picture.

With our first book

With 2010 being such a blazing success/failure, I think I'd like my overall goal for 2011 to be balance. Balance in work and play and in my personal life and it's direction. And lets make the 2011 list a bit more exciting too... :)

To that end:

I, Aleya Littleton, do hearby resolve to:

1. Sew a dress.
   
2. Climb a mountain.
   
3. Visit another country.
   
4. Write another book.
   
5. Run a total of 365 miles in 2011.
   
6. Break the 5.11 barrier.
7. Play the ukulele alllll year. Not just quit if I'm frustrated or discouraged.
8. Take some kind of guiding course.
   
9. Find another way to give, now that my $10k is gone.
   
10. Take time for self care each day.
    
11. Learn how to practice yoga.
    
12. Buy a par of sexy shoes.
    
13. Learn how to use a pro video editing software. 
14. Start The Seven Day Adventure (Oh wouldn't you like to know??)
15. Go to an OR show.
16. Fix things I have broken.
17. Eat healthier. 
18. Volunteer with Honor Flight.

I think that's enough...

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I love traveling...The Flatirons

If past years are any indication, I probably won't look at this list again until next December. I should set a calendar reminder in June or something...

Even if I don't, I still have the lessons from this year. I feel like 2011 will be a year of renewal and balance and change. Good or bad, I welcome the challenge. 

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