Yesterday, when I started writing this post, it was the last day of 2015. Where did this year go? So much has happened, and so much hasn’t either. I’ve been getting all of the “end of the year” type of posts from different places; online retailers I frequent, social networks I’m part of, updates from friends and family… The end of the year is a common time for people to pause, reflect and share the lessons they’ve learned. To be honest, I don’t even know where to start. The past few months have been a blur and I barely think I’ve had time to breathe or sleep, let alone process what’s going on. But that’s my life and I’ve chosen to be that way. No complaints, just sharing observations. I’m currently in the ‘down time’ before I embark on my next adventure, having returned from my last trip three days ago (only to have a friend arrive that same evening–again, not complaining, just sharing).
I will start with that I do know:
- Apparently I only blogged 9 times in 2015. NINE TIMES in 2015. WHAT? Shame on you, Sejal. Shame on you. That’s embarrassing and unacceptable. That needs to change. That will change. Mark. My. Words. So I’m making that change, starting today.
- The 2015bestnine has been a cool way to see what photos from Instagram were the most liked this year. This, in no way, means that these were the best nine moments according to me, but gives an idea of my top nine moments (and there are stories behind each of them). I will say that there’s something iffy with the site because three of the photos are from late 2014.From L-R, top to bottom: lending a helping hand (or in this case, my face) to a friend during a makeup lesson where she needed a model, the before and after of the first time I’ve ever dyed my hair (only to dye it back to black four days later), meeting a camel in the Kutch desert in Gujarat, India [December 2014], lending my face to another makeup lesson, celebrating Holi in Gujarat, India in March 2015, cheesing at all of the blue in Chefchaouen, Morocco, soaking up the majestic view in Cappadocia, Turkey, becoming an American citizen in December 2014 and a sunrise view of the Golden Temple in December 2014.
(Just to make it accurate, I’ve added the photos that should have made the three spots that were from 2014 (Camel, citizenship and Golden Temple photo are all from 2014. How’d they get in there?) into this post.) - I’m better at sharing stories (online) when I’m busy. If you give me all the time in the world, I struggle with getting things done. If my time is spoken for, I make the most out of all of my spare time to make sure I’m productive. As I shared in my last post, I’m starting a new job in February and I’m spending January in Greece, volunteering in refugee camps, so I’m about to get busier than I have been–which means you’ll be hearing more from me. I’m also ridiculously motivated. You all have donated over $5,500 dollars in 5 days for me to use on your behalf to make a difference for the refugees I meet on my trip. If you’d like to lend your support, you can do that through words of encouragement, a share with your own network or a monetary donation (no amount is too small).
2015. You were swell. You were beyond swell. Reflections to come but for now, I thank you for the lessons, for the connections, for the experience.
