Learn

Years ago I heard someone recommend adopting a "theme" each year rather than a New Year's resolution.  I took it to heart and started with my "Year of No."  I gave myself permission to say "no" to commitments and invitations that I did not want to accept.  Invitations to my kids' preschool classmate's birthday parties? No.  Volunteering again at the elementary school library?  No.  Organize a club fundraiser? No.  Ahh, that was an amazing and freeing year.  Sometimes I would explain, "Sorry but this is my Year of No," but mostly I didn't and I don't think anyone noticed our absence (especially when there were twenty other 4-year-olds running around the bouncy house party room). I planned to follow my "Year of No" with a "Year of Yes," but I enjoyed it so much that I ended up have two consecutive Years of No.  I'm not sorry about it either.  It was awesome.  

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I could have kept that up indefinitely if I'm being honest, but I decided to go back to an idea I had been consistently pursuing prior to my themed years...learning a new skill each year.   One year I learned to drive a manual transmission car.  My husband thought it would be a great idea to buy a stick-shift car when we moved back to the U.S. from London.  This was not ideal, however, as I was the one driving it every day and my job involved driving through the streets of south and west Philadelphia.  With a stop sign at every corner there was a constant Stop-1st gear-2nd gear-1st gear-Stop-1st gear-2nd gear-1st gear-Stop.  Repeat that every single block up and down the streets of Philadelphia.  All day long.  That was my accomplishment that year.  

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Other years I learned to speak Spanish (I'm not saying I did any of these things WELL), learned to knit a hat, learned how to design a kitchen and bathroom remodel, learned how to invest in rental property, learned how to trade options (and then never actually did it--sometimes we learn that certain things are just not for us!), learned the Virginia probate process (some lessons choose us unfortunately), took a class in DSLR photography (too complicated!), took a class in iPhone photography (ahhh, just right), and learned self-defense techniques/Krav Maga.  

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Of course, I had to drag the family along on this quest of learning!   Before the Trip we learned/practiced some skills to prepare ourselves...

 

1. Swimming lessons (Z)

2. Tools to manage discomfort/anxiety: Guided meditation, positive self-talk, breath control, gratitude practice

3. Learn Spanish (EM)

4. Krav Maga classes (Israeli self-defense techniques)

5. How to create a blog (EM)

6. Learning to drive/get license (S)

7. iPhone Photography course (EM)

8. World Geography

 

 

During the Trip we are continuing our learning....

 

1. How to use the SkyView app to identify stars, constellations and planets

2. Surfing (M and Z)

3. How to make a Hawaiian lei (EM and S)

4. History of the first inhabitants of Fiji

5. History of the Maori and European settlers in New Zealand

6. How to play rugby

7. Luge lessons (Spring in Queenstown, not Summers in Rangoon)

8. Snorkelling

9. Negotiating prices at a market (Z)

10. Using the clock method to communicate direction  (S and Z)

11. Learn what it's like to be in the racial minority (E, S, Z)

12. History of the Korean War and the DMZ

13. History of Samurai and How to be a ninja (M, Z)

14. How to make Spring Rolls (M and EM)

15. Squid fishing (Z)

16. How to write and address a postcard (Z)

17. How to search for/book a hotel (S, Z)

18. Islamic history and geography in Saudi Arabia

19. How coffee is grown/made (M, Z)

20. All about African wild animals

21. Greek history

22. Roman history

23. Roman numerals (Z)

24. History of the Austrian Empire

25. The personal life of Mozart

26. The Sound of Music movie vs. real story

27. How to "roll" up/down a car window (Z)

28. How to "dial" an old rotary style phone (Z)

29. How to react to an earthquake (S, Z)

30. The Art of Storytelling (S, Z)

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We plan to add more to the list as we travel!