Meretricious and a happy new year

The new year is upon us. 

And it's going to be year of adventures. Unknown adventures. A year of walking off the map. 

There are only two more quarters before I graduate from the UW. Senior year, again. Didn't I just do this? On the bright side, this academic year has proved quite splendid thus far. Looks to continue that way, as well. Almost like I get a redo for my not-so-delightful senior year of high school. 

In March, I moving to London for ten weeks and completing my last quarter abroad. Then graduation. Then the unknown. 

Or as I like to call it: Real World Time. Get a "real" job, get a place to live, boyfriend, fiance, marriage, family, settle down... dull. 

But I have to remind myself that I'm only nineteen. Rushing is unnecessary and possibly undesirable. I'm still planning on going to grad school for a Master of Library Information Science degree. And I have a few other travel plans that don't include getting a "real" job or settling down anywhere. There are two options for post-bachelor plans and I will make that decision in March. Until then, à la River Song, spoilers. 

While thinking about resolutions and themes for 2012, I kept coming back to these ideas of travel and adventure. A journey. Being sent out. 

2012 Motifs

• Jesus Sends Out the Twelve ~ Matthew 10: 5-42

Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.

Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. vs. 6-13

So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of the Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. vs. 26-31

 And anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. vs. 38-39

Wherever I go, whatever I do, I want to serve the people I encounter. Freely give, as I have received. Lose my life in Christ to find it. And no worrying: I will always be taken care of.

• 1 Timothy 4:12-16

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you though a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. 

• "Moon River" by Henry Mancini

Moon river wider than a mile, I'm crossing you in style someday. You dream maker, you heartbreaker, wherever you're going, I'm going your way; Two drifters off to see the world, there's such a lovely world to see. We're after the same rainbow's end, waiting 'round the bend, my huckleberry friend, moon river, and me.

• "I Wonder (Departure)" by ABBA

I wonder, it's frightening, leaving now, is that the right thing? I wonder, it scares me, but who the hell am I if I don't leave it. I'm not a coward, oh no I'll be strong. One chance in a lifetime, yes I will take it, it can't go wrong.

• "Head Full Of Doubt / Road Full of Promise" by The Avett Brothers

There was a dream and one day I could see it. Like a bird in a cage, I broke in and demanded that somebody free it. And there was a kid, with her head full of doubt, so I'll scream til I die and the last of those bad thoughts are finally out.

• J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth

This year, I'm going to reread The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Hobbit, and finally read The Silmarillion. Seems fitting, what with Peter Jackson's The Hobbit  coming out next December (My excitement really cannot be contained. It's terribly nerdy.) and they're epic adventure stories. 

On a side note, if the Doctor doesn't show up at the 2012 London Olympics bearing the Olympic Torch, I will be sorely disappointed. 

Anyway...

Here's to a year of new adventures for everyone. Happy New Year!