Vacation has been very sweet indeed after a year of class, work, and obligations. It’s been good to go “home” again, be with family, and catch up with friends.
I flew to Pennsylvania on Saturday, Christmas Eve. It’s challenging flying east across the country; due to the time difference and length of connections it can take all day. Flying west is quicker due to favorable winds and seems shorter due to the time difference. I love flying west because I get to watch long sunsets from 38,000 feet.
We postponed our family Christmas a few days to give everyone a chance to get to the big house from various corners and crannies of the US of A. Nevertheless, on Christmas Day we had relatives over for the greater part of the day and had lots of cookies and coffee. Us cousins took the canoes out on a nearby lake as it was a warm and pleasant day, then spent the evening playing games, reading and some socializing. Monday I was invited to New York City as a guide for a small group. We saw a lot of the city and I got some alone time to wander the streets and visit familiar shops and cafes while the others went up the Empire State building and toured tourist-y places. The city was quiet in the morning but sidewalks were overflowing onto the streets by early evening. I had a great time and was glad to see the Rockefeller Christmas tree, the Bergdorf windows, and Trump decorations were still in place.
I’ve been catching up on sleep, too. Eleven- or twelve-hour nights are not uncommon. Naps are frequent. It feels great; I will deal with six-hour nights when the schedule returns. I’ve been reading a lot, too, and finishing all those books I started over the past few months. Books about incredible leaders like Nelson Mandela, Steve Jobs, Malcolm X, and a few about infamous leaders Kim Jong-il and Robert Mugabe. I enjoy reading history and gleaning little facts instead of reading the latest business/corporate management technique books. Good leaders are decisive, persistent, patient, kind—and crazy, impulsive, selfish, and stubborn at the same time. I also read books about war (The Things They Carried) and books about accomplishments—the story of the Brooklyn Bridge is a great read—and books about forgiveness (Unbroken). Books about death (Looking for Alaska) and books about life, both unsavory (Loose Girl) and inspiring (The Reason for God). Books about evil (East of Eden) and books that make me question if there is such a thing as faith (Under the Banner of Heaven) or truth (Catch me if you Can). Books about how businesses can continue losing money for decades (Hard Landing) and books that overrate “reinvention” (Onward). Nevertheless, my to-read booklist is even longer now.
My second week in Pennsylvania was a working vacation of sorts. I jumped at the chance to get my old job back for a few days and ran my once-new trackhoe digging holes and hammering rocks. Few things had changed; I worked with one of my previous coworkers and a new one, too. The weather cooperated wonderfully and I was reminded again how enjoyable it is to run fine new Cat equipment in a quiet rural setting with people who also are really good at what they do. My truck driving skills were still intact and it was a pleasure driving the hilly winding narrow roads. But I felt more “English” than before when I told people that I was on vacation from Arizona and I’m a business consultant there—that bit of information takes considerable pondering for them to fully absorb and is usually followed by an awkward pause in conversation. It’s hard to explain, I guess; I’m good at operating equipment and feel right at home in almost any machine but my mind often outraces the job at hand. I’m looking forward to corporate stress and the steep learning “curve.”
I’m excited about 2012. I’m looking at Phoenix houses and am putting things in order to hopefully buy soon after I graduate in May. The real estate market is quite a bit different in AZ and I’m still feeling out different scenarios, planning lunches to bounce ideas off contacts, etc. The usual. I’ll write more later.
Like the leaders and revolutionaries I admire, my resolution for 2012 is to live true to my values and accept no compromise. To be kind and approachable, modest and thankful at all times. Everything else will fall into place.
May god bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay, forever young
May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
And may you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young
May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
May your song always be sung
And may you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young
~Bob Dylan