Lessons Learned in 2006

Okay folks, it’s that time of the year again. For those new to my inner circle, I annually compile a list of important tidbits -life lessons, if you will- that I have picked up along the way each year. (And for those of you on MySpace, you will be receiving this through a bulletin as well… twice the joy, right?) I find this more enjoyable than making new year’s resolutions, since I marvel in seeing what others have learned during the year. So, I will list below what I’ve learned, and you are welcome to read, make your own list of things you’ve learned (and -my lord!- it certainly doesn’t need to be as long-winded as mine), and feel free to share with your friends and family. In years past, this has sparked some interesting discussions amongst my friends, some of whom have never met, except for being on the same “sent to” list on my emails.

Without further ado, here’s what I have learned in the year 2006:

1. All children need to be hugged. Especially the ones you least want to hug. I think I post this one every year, but each year I find renewed purpose in stating this!
   
2. I have some of the best damn colleagues around. I am truly blessed. Okay, more of a statement than a lesson, but…
   
3. Buying a house is hard, but very rewarding work. Selling a house is a bitch. Anyone want to buy a lovely home in Lilburn??
   
4. Weddings are a wonderful memory. Unfortunantly, the day is never long enough, no matter how late you and your guests stay up and party…
   
5. Honeymoons are like a fairy tale. They must always end, but leave lasting impressions and spark fond feelings and memories.
   
6. For Christmas this year, one of my students presented me with a tiny wrapped package with a big bow, and she was dying for me to open it. It turned out to be a little notepad shaped like a flower, with lots of glitter on it, hooked to a key chain. And she had already written her name on the inside of it. I later found out that she had not given any of her other teachers a gift, but she wanted me to have something, so she very likely looked around her room the day before the break, and found this little notepad -which still, by the way, had the pricetag on it. This is a child that I talk to like an adult, because even though she has some terrible emotional and behavioral problems, she is rather intelligent (IQ in the 130s), and I have shown her nothing but respect in the two years since I’ve known her. The teacher next door to me has spoken on my wonderful repoire with this little girl. I was almost in tears when I fully realized the significance of her tiny gift. Soooo…the lesson? Always treat people with respect, no matter what.
   
7. There is nothing in the world as exhilarating as marrying your best friend, and knowing that the two of you were meant to be together. Again, I am truly blessed.
   
8. I am dreadfully terrible about staying in touch with my friends. Luckily, through handy-dandy things like MySpaceLand, textmessaging, and good ol’ fashioned email, I am able to somewhat salvage my ability to stay in touch with you all. (And if I don’t, please know that you’re constantly on my mind!)
   
9. I always think of the things I need to do at the most inconvenient times. That ever-growing to-do list just gets longer and longer while driving in the car, in the shower, or drifting off to sleep.
   
10. Advisors can be your worst enemy. Particularly when they seem to be rather incompetent, and hand out their work to others. But ultimately passing your research project and obtaining your degree is perhaps the sweetest revenge. 😉

That’s it. I think I’m done for the year. It has been another life-changing, highly engaging year, and I look forward to what 2007 has in store for us all. I wish you all a safe, happy, healthy, and all-around wonderful new year. May you find countless moments to take your breath away.

Cheers!

Barbara Burns 

“Marge, it’s vallet.  Maybe for once, someone will call me ‘sir’ without adding, ‘you’re making a scene'”  – Homer Simpson