This picture was taken a year ago. I started my Arabic course a year ago, and it's funny and weird to reflect upon this 365 days later. I haven't been at this particular Starbucks since but I have had my share of good, productive and inspiring times at other Starbucks locations. I've learned in ways that were not solely academic, and were definitely far from fun or easy in 2017.
In this picture, I am studying for a Social Justice Philosophy class, and getting mentally ready for my first day of Arabic class. I went to a yarn shop that day with my mom, and the lady who owns the shop and who we were talking with had a couple of different pieces of knits on her and around her neck. I didn't knit at all last year, and have only just recently picked it up again. It feels nice to make progress and visually see and touch the yarn and the needles as they glide together and form pretty patterns. Language isn't like that. It's difficult to see the progress and visualize all the steps I'm making. But in the end, it is like knitting because it does make beautiful sounds and can form beautiful meanings that are woven in with the sounds and words. I couldn't see the progress I was making internally, only God could.
I was so over being a student last year, and starting up again this month with classes and homework and passing interactions, I don't see it as bad as I once did. I thought I would miss my volunteer experience terribly because I am now going to school 4 days a week. However, I'm surprised to spell it out that this is not the case. I've learned over time that adaptability is one of my strengths, and when I'm in a certain environment I hone in on it, and everything seems to be focused on the environment that I am in, and it becomes fuzzy thinking about another.
Although it's been 365 days, there have been many notes taken, miles driven, mochas and lattes sipped, books read and many other activities and events. A year ago isn't so fuzzy to me now, it's actually fairly clear. 2018 has been very good so far, and I'm grateful it hasn't been as emotionally draining so far either. I'm glad I'm taking up knitting again and continuing on with Arabic at my own speed and style. I think I've learned patterns for both, and how vocabulary builds upon vocabulary and yarn upon yarn. I've followed a pattern whenever I've needed a dose of inspiration, I can always get it from a coffee shop and spill into what I'm doing. Cheers to a new year, with new ideas and a bright hope!
