2011 is coming to a close, and from across the world I find it difficult to know how to share my year, my life, fully and genuinely with my many loved ones around the globe. What better way, I decided, than in photos? So here it is, my photo-Christmas letter:
In 2011, I
Moved back from India and reunited with my family when I came "Home for Christmas" (4-person hug #1 and 2)
Turned 24, celebrating in saree with my friends (the evening was complete with an Indian dinner and Bollywood movie, of course)
Practiced a new art (mehandi / henna)
Wrote a book
Road-tripped to Chicago with the crew to celebrate Mr. and Mrs. Kyle and Abbey Holm!
Broke a JENGA record with Grandma and Grandpa when I spent a priceless week with them in Arizona
Enjoyed many precious moments with Kimmy when I visited her in California
Drove up the Golden Coast Highway for my first visit to Northern California, where I got to spend time with my sweet girls and dear friend Brian
Sent my little brother off to Senior Prom
Found sanctuary at Lake Calhoun
Graduated with my M.A. in International Education from the School for International Training (World Learning Graduate Institute) in Brattleboro, Vermont
Celebrated another graduate (with the 4-person hug of course)
Played Vogue for some Sister Pictures (click link for more) taken by my talented cousin Michelle
Celebrated my girls' graduation from high school and the next steps of their journeys - I've been mentoring most of these girls since they were in the 3rd grade and I am SO PROUD of each and every one of them!
Celebrated Miss Sonja Peterson...and the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Sonja Denow!
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| (and it's ALWAYS fun to have all your friends in one place!) |
Explored my roots in South Dakota
Celebrated Aunt Mel and Uncle Charlie's new marriage!!!! (ahem....4 person hug makes several appearances...)
Treasured family week at the cabin (4-person hug #7)
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| JJ learned to dive- he's basically an Olympian now :) |
Sold Jen17 (and yes, there were tears shed...)
Moved back to India and started my new job (which I LOVE, by the way)
Rented a cute little apartment and warmed it by serving American breakfast for dinner (eggs, hash browns, and pancakes) to my new friends
Rode an elephant
Celebrated Diwali with friends...
...and with family :)
Hosted Thanksgiving and enjoyed sharing my favorite holiday with some who had never celebrated Thanksgiving before! (The classic Thanksgiving craft that I last did circa 1993 was quite the hit)
Now here it is, Christmas again, and for the first time in my life I am not home for Christmas; believe me, I'll have a blue Christmas without you. But Kimmy came here, and as Mom said, "Watch out India - you already have one blonde; now you will have two." I am enjoying sharing my Indian life with K, and as we sat at Bandhavi today I started tearing up, realizing that last year at this time all I wanted was to be in India. And look, here I am.
(and more blog posts than 2011 ;))
Moved back to India and started my new job (which I LOVE, by the way)
Rented a cute little apartment and warmed it by serving American breakfast for dinner (eggs, hash browns, and pancakes) to my new friends
Rode an elephant
Celebrated Diwali with friends...
...and with family :)
Hosted Thanksgiving and enjoyed sharing my favorite holiday with some who had never celebrated Thanksgiving before! (The classic Thanksgiving craft that I last did circa 1993 was quite the hit)
Now here it is, Christmas again, and for the first time in my life I am not home for Christmas; believe me, I'll have a blue Christmas without you. But Kimmy came here, and as Mom said, "Watch out India - you already have one blonde; now you will have two." I am enjoying sharing my Indian life with K, and as we sat at Bandhavi today I started tearing up, realizing that last year at this time all I wanted was to be in India. And look, here I am.
Although I love the journey that photos allow us to travel together, I also want to be careful to recognize that photos often express only the positive, fun, happy, and exciting times of life. As you can see, 2011 has been full of celebrations, but it has also been one of the most personally difficult years that I remember. Leaving India was hard, but coming back to the U.S. was even harder. Seeking my next steps sometimes seemed like a big black hole, and starting a new life - alone – again – hasn’t always been a walk in the park, either. I've spent a lot of time reflecting on and challenging myself, my life, my relationships, my faith, my God. I've cried, I've learned, I've grown, and I've trusted. And I hope that I never stop learning, growing, and trusting.
There are also certain things the year has held that photos just don't capture: The many books I've read. Entering the world of Twitter and Pinterest. The scariness of head trauma, and the blessing of physical healing. Learning to let go when I really just want to hold on. Soul mates and kindred spirits (you know who you are). Exploring the meaning of covenant. Tightening family ties (although the 4-person hug pics may have clued you in to this...). The Starbucks baristas, autorickshaw drivers, and neighborhood tailors who know me by name. The fear of a trainer who will call and yell at me if I don't get my butt to the gym by 7am. The satisfaction and challenge of being in a job that is absolutely perfect. The sense of surreal that I feel daily as I remind myself that I live in India. Balancing what it means to feel so at home in two places that are so completely different. Goals set and achieved...or set and "delayed" ;) Making new friends, keeping the old. Rediscovering creativity. Learning to live in thankfulness.
There are also certain things the year has held that photos just don't capture: The many books I've read. Entering the world of Twitter and Pinterest. The scariness of head trauma, and the blessing of physical healing. Learning to let go when I really just want to hold on. Soul mates and kindred spirits (you know who you are). Exploring the meaning of covenant. Tightening family ties (although the 4-person hug pics may have clued you in to this...). The Starbucks baristas, autorickshaw drivers, and neighborhood tailors who know me by name. The fear of a trainer who will call and yell at me if I don't get my butt to the gym by 7am. The satisfaction and challenge of being in a job that is absolutely perfect. The sense of surreal that I feel daily as I remind myself that I live in India. Balancing what it means to feel so at home in two places that are so completely different. Goals set and achieved...or set and "delayed" ;) Making new friends, keeping the old. Rediscovering creativity. Learning to live in thankfulness.
As I reflect on 2011, I find myself thankful for the freedom that I have in Christ, for friends who are understanding, forgiving, and who know who I am and remind me when I forget, and for a family that loves and supports me and never fails to make me laugh, even from halfway around the world.
May 2012 be a year of continued growth, learning, adventure, laughter, and love!
Jen
WHAT.A.YEAR! This is so cool Jen! I know its been forever since we've talked, but you are doing such amazing things, and this post is really cool. I hope you have a BLESSED Christmas in India. I pray that God opens even more doors for you there and that you have a great 2012! Talk soon! -seth
ReplyDeleteJen! What a beautiful post (or "page") about your year. I love seeing all your adventures! So fun that Kimmy came for Christmas--sisters are the best:) We miss you back here in MN! Blessings for a fabulous 2012!
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