Time is the coin of your life.  It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent.  Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you. ~Carl Sandburg

Believe it or not, today marks one year since we moved to Caracas. I knew the date was coming…I’ve been telling friends and family how pretty soon one year will have passed. Nonetheless, it feels like the day sort of snuck up on me.

I’ve tried to keep track of what it was like to get settled and I can’t help but laugh at some of the things I was feeling this past year. One thing’s for sure in terms of my assimilation, I no longer sweat the small stuff. Even if I wanted to get upset about last minute cancellations or service people running 3 hours late, it would be pointless. People like me are in the minority here, so it’s been a much better strategy to go simply with the flow.

What was great about arriving here in December last yeat was how quiet Caracas is, which translates to very little traffic. Since this was my initiation into city life, I’m glad I wasn’t bombarded with the normal noise-level and hustle immediately. The normal chaos didn’t start up again until January 15th (apparently this is customary in Caracas) and my baptism by fire – communicating in Spanish without my husband as a back-up – began. It wasn’t until April when I finally caved in and started taking a course.

While there won’t be any big celebration (my husband gave me a congratulatory handshake ), I’m nevertheless grateful for all that I’ve been able to experience in this past year. Regardless of the hurdles that lie ahead, I am extremely satisfied with the way I’ve been spending my coin

Fist let me say that this post has taken me a LONG time to write. After getting over the shock that I’m over 30, I had a hard time thinking of ways to improve my already wonderful life. However, I think setting goals are extremely important. Of course if you miss your deadline, then you simply adjust accordingly.

1) Renew my wedding vows: I don’t know about others, but I was so nervous that day I don’t know what the heck I said. I thought watching the video would bring it back, but that’s like watching myself having an out of body experience. Plus, I love the fact that so many people you love (your special people) come together for love. Good times!

2) Live in Europe again: It’s already been 10 years since I lived in France (told you I’m old) and I’d love to experience life there as an adult. I think it would be great for the kids, as well. Maybe when it’s time for them to study abroad they’ll go somewhere more unconventional like Zimbabwe.

3) Travel to India: This goal has to do with the nagging feeling that I was Indian in my past life. ‘Nuff said.

4) Learn Italian: When I realized how learning Spanish was kickin’ my ass a lot more difficult than anticipated, I swore that I was done with languages. Then I remembered that I’ve always loved the sound of Italian and decided, fine one more – but, only for the pleasure of learning it.

5) Go scuba diving: You know, this one I can take or leave. I’ve always thought that I wouldn’t feel comfortable going deep underwater (same way I don’t feel comfortable in confined spaces), but I think I should always try something at least once.

6) Run a marathon: I hate running, but this is an honorable goal, right?

7) Take voice lessons: I’ve been singing since I was a child, but never took it seriously enough have professional assistance. At this point, I’m interested to find out all the unknown things I could do with my voice with the right coaching.

8 ) Become an early riser: I’m hoping that this will get easier with age, but I’m a night-owl and despise waking up early. But, I hear there are interesting things that happen at the crack of dawn that I’ve been missing out on all these years.

9) Write and publish a novel: Obviously I enjoy writing…I just need to commit to it long enough to write a story from start to finish.

10) Attend the World Cup: Look back to my posts from June and you’ll understand.