

To celebrate the arrival of 2009 I would like to look back at the past year.
January: Travelled to the north of Peru and met my boyfriend´s family, started painting to feel better with very good results, had a lot of hopes and plans for the coming year and felt stressed about how to make it all happen.
February: Partied at the beach, moved in with Ceci for a few weeks, got two wisdom teeth extracted, moved to a new hippie house, celebrated a year of love.
March: Organized an important communications meeting at my NGO, freelanced about Chan Chan, went to the dentist a lot. Stayed at Hectors house in the suburbs during weekdays because my new house was a bit too hippy.
April: Started preparing for my expo and thesis investigation, had many health exams done.
May: Worked hard on the ARO annual report, went a lot to the dentist and to a lot of doctors, did Herbalife for a month, worked verylate during weekdays.
June: Worked hard on the ARO annual report, curated a expo for a Peruvian friend, did freelance photo commissions in Lima, worked on my thesis, went to the gym a lot, read a lot about ALC-UE, looked for a thousands of jobs in Lima for 2009, wanted to go as a journalist to Cuba and the rainforest but decided to do so the next time around in Lima. Instead, I focused on my show and my thesis. Got my cellar phone stolen. Got a job that I turned down. Went a lot to the "dangerous" downtown to have my prints done.
July: Got my first business card done, Inaugurated my first solo exhibition, freelanced about Peruvian cuisine, gathered the final thesis material, cried a lot, bought presents, flew to Barcelona, loved Gaudi, reencountered with Patti. Realized what I wanted for the coming year in Finland and for us.
August: Worked at the local newspaper, did translation work for a peruvian friend, prepared to move.
September: Worked some at the newspaper, celebrated a calm birthday, moved in with friends in Turku, threw a birthday party and started my MA seminars, stayed at friends´ summer houses, visited Charlotta in Helsinki, did MA thesis interviews, met new friends, enjoyed Finland a lot. Learned to cook new dishes.
Oktober: Presented my first thesis advance, partied a la Bollywood.
November: Passed my last and most difficult exam ever, was at uni a lot, wrote freelance articles about Barcelona and Combi Culture. Struggled a lot with my thesis and how to structure and focus it. Went to Poland for vacations.
December: Presented my methodological thesis advance, completed my advanced salsa class of the fall, tried afro dance, worked freelance, was selected for a group exhibition in Helsinki, enjoyed Christmas in Turku and a day in Helsinki, spend Christmas at home with my family and my Peruvian friends who came to visit. Went to the polar circle. Thought it was veryvery dark. Got a tax return, hallelujah!
What I learned in 2008: To know when it is time to go home
that nothing compares to good health
that I can do anything
how to stand up for what is right
and how to correct what is wrong
how to be more efficient
how to focus on one thing at the time
how to lower the expectations and be realistic about time
how to save a lot of money cutting down on small things
that travelling is always investing
to love family above everything and stay in touch
that friendship is a treasure
to relax a lot at the beach
to trust
to feel excellent about myself
to learn to accept people´s behaviour and my own
to forgive quickly
to know the laws of attraction
And above everything, that hard work pays off and that planning is always worth it (know what you want, make a plan, start working and get there) and to keep trying all though you get turned down. If it does not work out, it is because the time has yet not come. Like surfing, life comes in waves you will learn to ride when you dive into them.
Come beautiful 2009 for me to live.