1.1.11 - The year of fun

1.1.11

I wouldn’t say I grew up in a fun household – a caring and loving house, but not a fun one.  My parents are pretty serious.  We talked philosophy, went to school, were kept busy with activities and studied hard.  We traveled.  I actually can’t remember things we did on the weekends.  In fact, just outrageously giggly sessions seem to be completely absent.  We just weren’t silly.

And today, nothing has changed.  There are many words to describe me, but fun isn’t necessarily one of them.  This is not to say I don’t like having fun, I just hardly can remember what fun, silly, outrageous is.  And I don’t think it is the kids, because I don’t really think I was that fun before.  I am in fact hard working, focused, ambitious, caring, happy, adventurous, and world-conscious.  I am not fun.  I am also self-conscious at times, shy, opinionated, and stubborn (or determined if you prefer but let’s be honest with ourselves.) 

I am not one of those set resolutions kind of person.  I do goals, when I feel goals need to be set (see above characteristics – focused, ambitious, hard working.)  Last year when we got to the beginning of the year, I declared it the year of me.  I had spent the previous years having children, taking care of my hubby, building a business, and working endless hours volunteering in the nonprofit sector.  I could barely find myself in all the other stuff I did.  I decided to reclaim me with little things like running again daily and treating myself to a trip to the spa.  Then I wrote a book, a dream of mine.  And maybe in the biggest change of events, I gave my dreams first.  I uprooted my family and moved them 300 miles away so I could start my PhD.  The year of “me” was a very good year for me and everyone else.  Because ultimately when I found me again, I was a much happier person.  And a smiling me was definitely better for all those around me.

And now another year has gone by, and I am very happy,  But I realized last night as I watched the ball drop in New York City and all the revelers, that I wanted to be out doing something fun like that.  I mean, my kids would be doing that.  Not only was I sitting watching people celebrate on TV, uggh!, but I was doing it in my parents’ house (long story there.)  The fact that we were all together was comforting, but not really fun.  In fact, I had been thinking this “not fun” thought for awhile now.  So, right then and there I declared that we would make 2011 the year of fun.  What that means, I have no idea.  The organized, focused person in me says we will do “one fun thing a week.”  Doesn’t that sound boring?  But I have to start somewhere.  I mean, let’s face it, I have been out of the fun business for awhile, if I was ever in it.  So, what will that fun thing be this week?  Not sure.  Maybe a ride on a cable car, or a walk across the golden gate bridge, or …It seems like it should be more exciting then that, but again, I have to start somewhere.