2011 - The Year that Was(n't)

Wow, it's 2012 already. It seems like 2011 just flew by and yet, when I look back, it was a decent year with a few ups and downs and certainly better than 2010, so that's a plus. I feel like I did more, accomplished more and even with a few of the real curveballs 2011 threw me I was still able to have a good time.

I guess the three biggest things that stick out for me involve changing jobs very unexpectedly, visiting Canada for the first time in years and venturing to Taiwan and many new places in Korea.

The most eventful time was certainly in April and May when SEI was shutting down and I was basically unemployed. Looking back they were good about it, but it was still very unexpected and it did throw a real wrench in my plans to start courses at Keimyung in September. However it really did all work out in the end as I have a new job with a great boss and great coworkers. I'll also be able to start at least a language class at Keimyung in March if I want to. Looking back at my blogs at the time I noted that this shakeup was probably good for me, even if it didn't feel like it at the time. Well I was right. I probably was getting a bit too comfy there.

What the job change did allow me to do was have an extended holiday in Vancouver (8 weeks). I managed two trips to Vancouver Island and saw a bunch of places that I hadn't seen in years. It's amazing how little North Van has changed in so many ways. I was real happy to catch up with Elliot and Allan and meet Jaclyn and her new husband Chris. I met up with Steph, who I went to uni with and is now teaching in China and it was great to compare notes and hang out. I didn't see everyone I wanted or as often as I wanted to (I only managed one visit with Jenn :( ) but I hope to go back again next year (2013) so hopefully I can meet anyone I missed then. It was also great to see family and see how everyone is doing. Cousins who I think of as being 15 are now in university. Again I didn't see all the family as much as I wanted, but I did see just about everyone at least once.

Finally Taiwan was an epic trip. I really fell in love with Taipei and would love to go back at some point soon. It's an amazing place that western tourism has largely overlooked, but hopefully that will change soon. I also managed a huge chunk of Korea, including Chuncheongdo in great detail and way more cities in Gyeongsang. I also managed to explore more of Seoul.

Other accomplishments include joining a gym, improving my Korean language skills and cutting most booze out (not that a kettle of Makkeoli on a special occasion isn't very welcome). However I feel that I failed to get back to school, which was a big goal for 2011. I had wanted to do courses in Korea that transferred to Canadian universities but with the mess at SEI I was gone for key dates and didn't go. I feel that is something I have to fix. I also wanted to drop serious weight, which I have not done yet (I've lost a bit, but I mean really get fit). I hope that the gym and less booze will start me off in that direction.

As for 2012, my resolutions are to drop 20 lbs to end my 20's (I turn 30 this year.....), get back to school with the aim of being qualified to teach public schools or College kids by 2013 and full uni kids by 2014 and having transferrable courses should I want to finish the degree in Canada. I also am adamant about China this summer, even if it's only for a week.

Well here's wishing everyone a great 2012 (don't listen to the Mayans or Hollywood, it'll be a great year).