It’s 2016! Somehow the last year has flown by and another year has begun. New Year’s Eve was celebrated here by the usual festivities with fireworks, parties, music, food, and fun people. It’s been a good year overall with various activities, new and old, some travels, adventures, good friends, and of course the new baby girls in the family.
I don’t make New Years resolutions but I think it’s natural to think about the year ahead, things I would like to do and accomplish, and things I might want to change.
- My blog had been a major focus in the past. It has grown into a resource for many people and I have come to think it is my job to share my life here. But, I don’t want a job, not this or anything else. Since I live in Panama there will be more stories from here of course. But this has also become my normal life now, and much of it doesn’t seem remarkable enough to talk about. I think it will be more fun if I also post “other stuff”, travels, art, thoughts, I don’t know exactly what but whatever I find interesting and exciting at the moment with less regard for it being useful.
- I am contacted by many people with questions about Panama, or who want to meet while they are here. I enjoy meeting people and answering questions, but I think I need to feel less obligated. If I don’t know something, it’s OK to say “I don’t know” instead of researching the answer or suggesting various places to look. It’s OK for people to do their own research, and OK for me to not do it.
- I arrived with a couple cameras and a huge interest in photography. I’m still interested but after starting painting classes, I am starting to feel the limitations of a camera. I have a lot to learn and explore with painting before I find my way, but I am finding the possibilities exciting. I still never leave home without a camera though, and I’ll probably still post photos of bugs 😀
- I have big plans to go cycling again. I could go to the Seattle area, or even Vancouver and cycle down the west coast, visiting my daughters along the way, and then cycle through Mexico and Central America and back to Panama. People do it all the time so why not me? I just need to get myself back in shape. Coming home tired after less than 20 miles isn’t going to cut it so the next three months are going to be dedicated to getting myself ready. A number of people have told me that I should make it into an event of sorts, get sponsors, etc. because this will be such an inspirational thing. I don’t feel special or inspirational, maybe only a bit nuts, but I am giving this idea some thought. Maybe it could be something along the line of – solo senior ladies on the move, going for their dreams! Or, adventurous old ladies who are still young. (please share your suggestions in the comments)
- I am going to quit fighting my weight. I’m just so tired of it and frustrated. I spent many months on HCG (google it, don’t ask me) back in the US and lost a significant amount of weight. Some of it has crept back over the years since I’ve been here though. I did a few weeks of Herbalife with no results. Some friends swore that Atkins is the thing, so I dove into that with much dedication and resolve and didn’t lose an ounce. I’m not willing to return to the HCG right now (the only thing that has ever worked for me besides starvation) because I won’t have the stamina for bike training. So, I am going to eat healthy, bike a lot of miles, and just be the fat old gal on a bike, kind of like the fat girl running. (Check out her blog if you want to be inspired by a really cool lady!) The quality of my day will no longer be dictated by the number on my scale, and I won’t feel guilty for everything I put in my mouth (or at least I’m going to try to shift my thinking).
- I want to simplify my life and decrease the “stuff”. Moving here was a big step in that direction but I still have clothes I never wear, books I never open, and stuff I never use. I think all of us have found we don’t need what we thought we would, but it’s hard to know this until you experience your new life here for a while. Maybe I can spend a couple hours every weekend sorting and discarding. It’s such a feeling of freedom to have less.
I’ll have to look back here a year from now and see where I’m at with these ideas for 2016. With any luck I’ll be exploring new places with less stuff, and I’ll have pedaled myself into a strong and healthy body of whatever size, and had a ton of fun in the process!
And, speaking of talking with people and answering questions, I find myself becoming more lax about keeping up with correspondence and on line reading. If I put something aside “for later” sometimes it gets buried in my mailbox and totally lost. If you write me and I don’t answer in a few days, you probably need to poke me and remind me. I may not be able to answer every question but I think anyone who takes the time to write me deserves at least a polite response. And, I probably won’t remember who you are if we haven’t met in person. Names and words in black and white on my screen just all blur together in my mind. But, if we actually meet then you become “real” and I will probably remember you for a long time.
The Panama Adventure 
You could also think about making the ride a fundraiser for your favorite charity. Post it on your blog and Facebook pages, all about the trip, total miles from start to finish, and let people pledge whatever amount they like per mile, all proceeds going to said charity. Maybe set it up on a crowdfund page, so when you are done, total miles logged, people who committed can honor their pledge on there. Even a penny a mile adds up fast. Just an idea. We’re in!
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Yes indeed, thanks for the idea. I’ve seen cyclists fund raise for a charity, for a cause or idea they believe in, and also to cover some of their own costs. Since I’m on a limited income all of the above are possibilities.
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Wonderful aspirations for 2016 amiga! I like the part about feeling less obligated. 😸 You’ll find this frees you to do the things you really want to do.
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Gracias a ti, mi amiga 🙂 It’s just life, a constant process of fine tuning and adjusting.
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No guilt needed – you are, after all, retired — enjoy! As for: “The quality of my day will no longer be dictated by the number on my scale” good for you Kris. Unhealthy people cannot bike a few miles, not to mention the hundreds of miles you do. You’re an inspiration.
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Yes, I do my best to keep in mind that I am healthy and active which is a huge blessing. There are definitely worse things than carrying extra pounds. Thanks for your support and kind words 🙂
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I love your approach to “un-New Year’s resolutions,” especially with regards to being easier on yourself and resetting expectations (yours included). I think you’re going to have a great 2016, amiga!
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Thanks 🙂 I certainly have some plans and ideas so it could be the best year yet. And, hopefully YOU will be joining me for some of it!
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Count on it 🙂
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Thanks for the shout-out to my blog! Glad you have enjoyed it. Y que lo pasen bien allá en Panama!
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No thanks necessary, happy to spread the word. You have inspired me and made me think a lot about what I am capable of doing, and for that I thank YOU a lot. Gracias a mi amigo, y seguir corriendo!
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Hi Kris. About eating habits. About 15 years ago I was 30 pounds overweight. It also depends on your digestive system. I am eating 2.1/2 times a day. No sweets, no cakes or cookies. Just for breakfast a french loaf of 25 centimetres with cheese or ham and a little butter. 3 cups of black coffee with some sugar during the morning. Glass of juice. Sometimes an omelet. Fruits. At about 4 in the afternoon, sea bass, chicken, beef or pork chops fried with little butter in the pan. Vegetables stir fried. 3 – 4 glasses of white wine per day. Walking a lot. I am 69 and fit. Drinking a lot of water and no milk. I love good honest food. I lived near San Sebastian which is the city with most 3 star Michelin restaurants in the world. I am a world traveller. What you might like is to fly to Singapore and from there after a couple of days, cycling through Malaysia to Thailand. Beautiful and cheap good food and lodging at local peoples homes.
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Unfortunately I think I have spent so much of my life dieting that I have screwed up my metabolism and things that work well for others don’t work for me. I eat mostly “produce and protein”, not sugar, junk food, starchy things, etc. and bike a lot so you would think…. as I said, frustrated and putting the whole subject aside for now.
I would love to go to Malaysia and Thailand! Since Joel doesn’t bike and I wouldn’t want to go that far without him, if we ever manage to do that it would be by more traditional forms of travel.
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Hello, Kris. I don’t know if you remember us, but we met up with you and Holly last January. If you DO decide to bike in the Pacific Northwest, we have moved to Sequim on the Olympic Peninsula and you’d be most welcome to spend a couple of nights with us. – Neva and George Miller
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Thank you so much for your kind invitation. Yes, I definitely remember you! It must have been about a year because I remember you were thinking of spending Christmas down in our neighborhood. I’ll definitely keep your invitation in mind and let you know when i figure out what I’m doing.
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Kris, I love your honesty! Great reflections and resolutions for the new year. Happy New Year to you and Joel.
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Thank you amiga, and Happy New Year to you and Ron too. And, I love your honesty too. I just finished catching up on your blog and the Savior Complex post really spoke to me.
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