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New Year's Resolution: write more, play more :)

This has been one of the most trying years to date. I entered 2011 with an optimistic outlook, lofty resolutions, and indomitable energy. My first resolution was to learn French. I spent one hour of most of my work days this year focused on achieving this goal, and I think I now have a solid grip on the complex rules of the language. My thanks to my instructors Jean-Philipe and Mousse. I would classify my level as 'tourist'. Secondly, I had resolved to be more comfortable in my own abilities and to put to use the knowledge I have acquired thus far. This meant being more gregarious but not too garrulous. This second resolution came from a need to change the overwhelming sense of helplessness I often felt around my peers and my own sense of self-worth. Being in my mid 20s I challenged myself to take more control of my own life and not to rely too much on other forces. I would leave it to my friends to assess how I have fared with regard to the latter.

Moving on. I will not even begin to list all the people who have made it possible for me to get through 2011 amidst the sometimes unbearable news from home or elsewhere. Jessica, my girlfriend and friend for four years now has been there through thick and thin and I am forever grateful. My family, though thousands of miles away, continues to provide encouragement and support through tough times. I love you mom, Andile, Cyprian, and Sidumise. I know there are moments when all seems impossible but we have always made it through - just like we are going to make it through this current scuffle.

I made some new friends this year, mostly from work: Simon Townsend (IMF), Mamoon Saeed (IMF) and Priyanth Chandrasekar (IFC) for example. Simon, who graduated from Amherst College, which is just 20 minutes away from my alma matter, Hampshire, has invited me to many very cool parties and events in DC. Although we met at work, we share a few common friends from both Amherst and Hampshire. Cool guy. Mamoon and I took evening classes at the USDA Graduate school in DC. These included multivariate calculus, real analysis, et. al. He has taught me a lot about his native Sudan, which makes me wanna go so bad. Priyanth is the smartest Indian I know (perhaps on par with Yash, of course :). I met Priyanth at a WB Fundraiser for Japan.

blah blah...

In conclusion, I would like to share my 2012 resolutions with you. Because it just might be the end of the world as we know it (thanks Mayan calendar!), I resolve to live it up this year. I have just finished applying to grad school. I have completed my grad school mathematics prerequisites. And I have taken the stupid GRE. I say stupid because it took up so much of my precious time toward the end of 2011. urrgh!!! More specifically, I resolve to reconnect with my good friends from Hampshire: Sam Verran, Ricky Tsay, Eyob Solomon, and Jide (where the hell are you man?). I resolve to spend less on unimportant things and save up for bigger things. I resolve to eat better - less/no meat. I resolve to become even more fluent in French. Who knows! may be I will be blogging in French next year.

A toast to the new year and thank you to my friends and family for being there for me. May you continue to be a major presence as I take on 2012. And if indeed the Mayans are right, a tribute to you all:

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Location: New York, NY, USA

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