Happy New Year!

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. -- Benjamin Franklin

My New Year’s Eve celebration was spent at Oasis Beach Resort in Cape Coast, Ghana. Surprisingly, the place was swarming with obrunis! I mean, I know a lot of whites hang out at this place being that there are many tour groups and volunteers here in Cape Coast, but it felt like I flew home for the evening. It ended up being a typical American-style New Year’s Eve. Though it started out authentically African with traditional music and dancing, eventually the evening spiraled into a club-type atmosphere, much to my dismay. Clubbin’ isn’t so much my thing, and I don’t generally find joy in random strangers trying to hit on me or the meat-market mentality of some of the patrons. So, Sonia boogied down with an African and I did my usual people-watching. J I was perfectly content. At midnight fireworks went off on the beach and two ginormous bonfires blazed. I squeezed in a game of pool with an African man named Abdul, who could have slaughtered me within minutes if he really wanted to, but he gave this obruni a chance. Overall, it was a pleasant evening and I got to continue my little tradition of celebrating New Year’s in another country. 2010 was Chiang Mai, Thailand, 2011 was Venice, Italy, and now 2012 was here in Cape Coast Ghana. Not a bad deal.

New Year’s Goals.

I’m going to call them “goals” rather than “resolutions”. I mean, really people, resolutions are impossible. It’s basically a way to set yourself up for failure because they are always impossible and over-the-top. But, to set some goals and actively shift some of your thoughts seems more reasonable and possible to actually adhere to. My life here in Ghana has definitely prompted some of these goals.

1. Minimize the amount of food I take in that comes out of a box. The majority of my meals here are made with all natural products and minimal salt. Here, I’m not eating much of anything from a box and I feel good. Lighter and more sure of the idea that I’m not killing myself with sodium. Why buy a disgusting box of hamburger helper when I can make my own version with some fresh veggies instead? Rhiannon will be so proud of me. J

2. Minimize the amount of soda I drink. Same thing as above. I’m not saying I will never drink a coke, because I love soft drinks. But, more water is better and is making me feel tons less bloated.

3. Work out at least 4 times a week. There is absolutely no reason why I can’t do this. And it doesn’t have to be some crazy intense three-hour workout. Thirty good minutes of cardio in several times a week and some targeted toning exercises. Doing this in the last few months has made me feel more energetic and less heavy. No reason I can’t keep this up stateside.

4. Keep writing. More than just keeping my friends and family updated on my adventures, writing has become a time for me to decompress and chill out.

5. Work on becoming an extraordinary teacher. I would put myself in the good category right now. In my years of teaching elementary school, I screwed up really bad so many times. I complained constantly about behaviors and mishandled tons of situations. I also watched other teachers do the same and have learned a ton. Though I think I have a good handle on planning and delivery of instruction, to be this extraordinary teacher, I have to work on consistency and better handling my responses to ridiculous behaviors. Counting to ten and breathing works wonders.

This list could go on and on…..but I’m going to keep it reasonable in the hopes that I will avoid total failure.

Happy New Year! Cheers to 2012!