Happy New Year! I’m sure you’ve noticed that people get a little reflective around this time of year, and I’m no exception. One of my continuous goals is to be a lifelong learner, however I can. This new year I challenge myself to learn more in 2019. Here are a few things I learned in 2018 and some things I want to learn in 2019:
Things I Learned
Handbuilding and glazing my own ceramic pieces
Last January, I joined the MSU Clay Club. I had never been exposed to clay—ever. I know that most kids take a pottery class in school, but I managed to avoid it. I was nervous about being terrible at it. The club at MSU was perfect for me, because there was no pressure to perform like in a class. It was just me, the clay, and my experimenting. Although everything I made didn’t turn out quite how I expected, I learned the basics of handbuilding and fell in love with how the clay feels and how the colors in the glaze turn out after firing. Even the simplest objects, like a little pot formed in the palm of my hand, looked to me like a masterpiece after the colors in the glaze revealed themselves in the kiln. If you’re still a student at MSU, I highly recommend checking out the MSU Clay Club.
After I graduated and left campus, I was dying to find a way to continue working with pottery in a similar, low pressure setting. It’s not easy though—kilns are expensive and a little complicated. Many pottery classes exist, but require lots of $$$ and serious commitment. Luckily, once I got to the Keweenaw I found exactly what I needed at the Community Arts Center. I’m working on my next pieces now!
All kinds of things in Alaska—too much to list individually
I learned a few words in Iñupiaq, how to drive an ATV, how to fly in a tiny plane, how to camp out with twenty 10-year-old Alaskans, how to filet a salmon using an ulu, how to make an interpretive program for Iñupiaq kids, how to film and document events, and how to identify different arctic birds and plants. Oh, and also how to move literally 1000+ miles away from everyone and anyone I know and survive—even thrive. My summer in the arctic was challenging, but incredible. I hope I am lucky enough to travel for work again. I hope I’m lucky enough to see more of Alaska, a place I continue to feel drawn to.
Proper skincare over makeup
I don’t understand contour but I love a good vitamin C serum. I’ve worn less and less makeup this past year, mostly because I brought almost none to Alaska, but also because my skin seems better without it. My eyelashes have grown longer and fuller, my skin seems clearer, and I’ve grown more confident looking exactly like me. I recently posted a picture of myself wearing absolutely no makeup, something I’ve never done before. It’s a silly thing to be proud of, I know. I don’t think anyone cared or noticed really, but it’s a personal achievement. In the photo, it looks like I’m wearing mascara, or foundation, but the truth is I don’t own the latter and the former takes too much effort to wash off. I still love wearing different color eyeshadows and lipsticks just for fun, but I’ve focused on lotions, serums, and masks that will help me glow up all by myself.
And a few more quick ones
How to operate my Grandpa’s film camera (still learning how to take good pics with it, but I’m just impressed I learned how to correctly load and unload the film)
How to catalogue and prepare a library book
How to digitize archival collections over 100 years old
Things I Want to Learn in 2019
Archery. Kickboxing. Some kind of self-defense.
I’ve been exercising in a gym and jogging this past year, but I lack a hobby that gets me to exercise while learning new skills, too. I want something more unique than a YouTube video called “Muffin-Top Massacre!!” (I still appreciate you tho, PopPilates). I’ve also been watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy these past few days, which may be inspiring my curiosity about archery. I’m already so good at it in Skyrim, real life should be a cinch! (Ha)
American Sign Language
I want to learn any language in 2019, really, but ASL seems like it’d be so practical and cool. Anyone know of a cheap ASL class? Anyone want to learn it with me?
Sailing, or surfing, or something like that
I’m a good swimmer, but more complex water sports have always kind of terrified me. I want that to change! I’m probably still too scared to do anything in the ocean though. Good thing sailing and surfing in the Great Lakes can be great, plus without the sharks.
Basic mechanic skills! Basic house maintenance!
Please help me Dad, I feel so useless when some little thing breaks, leaks, blinks, or beeps. The best I can do is check the oil (thankfully was forced to learn that in Alaska). I’ve never even changed a tire, or jumped a battery. AH! I like going to wild places so I should really figure that out, huh? Got something sitting in your garage or backyard that I could tinker on?
How to play the Uke
I learned a few songs and chords in 2018, but I’m still not so great at strumming. For someone with absolutely no experience with instruments whatsoever, I’m doing ok. But I hope I can get better!
I know there are things I’m forgetting and things I don’t even know about yet! I’ve got a lot to learn and all the time in the world to learn it.