...2022!
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by PAM
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
The many new and not-so-new things that 2022 is offering...
very promising!
I started the year 2022 at my sister and brother-in-law's home in Boise, Idaho. They live in the Southeast side of Boise, close to downtown and walking distance to the Boise State University where my sister works. There are a number of Parks around the area, and many local establishments such as coffee shops and other eating places that are unique and offer fresh and refreshing experiences.
Idaho is one of the most understated places in the United States of America (USA). It is usually described by those living in the more prominent States in the USA as provincial and backward, and mostly small town, therefore, boring and unappealing. And yet, I found so many things that I thoroughly enjoyed and loved in Idaho, two of which are Sun Valley and Ketchum. I enjoyed myself visiting these places in a way that I never did before while visiting some of the most prominent States, including California and New York. I even started posting about my experience in Idaho in this blog. Boise is also wonderful. It is cosmopolitan enough but retains that small town charm in which people are nice, courteous and warm. The place is quiet and peaceful, and the surrounding of mostly well-preserved environment is just beautiful. So, sometimes it makes me wonder... those who say unfavorable things about Idaho, have they visited Idaho at all?
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In the year 2021, I saw many things that I've never seen before in my life - twists and turns, and the extreme kinds at that, too - that are mostly related to the COVID-19 pandemic. I even found myself at death's doorstep. It was sobering and humbling. And yet, there were many things to rejoice about, including my 'disqualification' to continue on 'to the other side' with death, and my sojourn at the Penn State University as a Humphrey Fellow that started in September 2021. As such, I stepped aside from being Dean of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) to be on Sabbatical to pursue my Humphrey Fellowship. While I am meeting many new people at Penn State, the whole experience is nothing life-changing as of yet, but it is giving me a break from my highly stressful life for the past nine years, and that's wonderful!
The past years have been difficult, and it got difficult still when the pandemic unfolded. We lost family members, friends and other loved ones... and it was devastating. However, those are all water under the bridge now, and we can only keep clutching the good memories to our chest while we keep moving forward past the devastation - guided by faith and propelled by hope.
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The collage of photos above serves as my 'mood board' for 2022... I think. I feel like 'slowing down' to a pace where I can appreciate God's beautiful creations more, and reflect on the blessings that I receive everyday. As I move on to the next chapter of my personal and professional life, I feel its important now, more than ever before, to think about how I am making the most of these blessings, and whether or not I am taking and making enough opportunities to share them with those who have less. As such, I need to prioritize by determining what is most important and essential as I reload my plate for 2022. So, help me God!
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Photo credit: I own all the photos used in this blog.
