我的2012年/My 2012

一方面是半認真地想要達成一週一篇部落格文章的目標，再者也是希望藉由部落格為當下的心境與記憶留下紀錄，多年後可以有機會再度回顧。而我想，回顧過去也是好好結束一年的一個方式。

我的2012年，有許多變化，也有許多第一次：

• 最重要的是拿到到博士入學許可！若沒有這個，今年肯定是很不一樣的一年！
• 買了人生中的第一部車（謝謝爸媽的支持！）。雖然是二手車，但是生活中不可或缺的夥伴！
• 開車技術和時數大幅進展：以前連開三個小時就累了，現在可以一天開十個小時，五百英哩。算算今年共累積了共十一次一天開五百英哩的經驗。
• 第一次一個人在陌生的城市找公寓：在台灣就沒有找房子的經驗，要一個人用英文溝通更是特別緊張。而且只有一天的找房子時間，當然是排滿行程開著租來的車在小鎮裡到處蒐集資訊。我很喜歡目前的公寓，不過以我現在的收入來說還是有點吃力，大概很快就得搬家了。
• 第一次一個人搬家：從台灣到美國，提著兩個皮箱就來了，家具等都是到這兒才買。今年從哥倫布市搬去愛荷華市，寄了約八箱包裹（還被UPS搞丟一箱），自己開車運了兩趟，才算是家當全部搬完。記得第一天開了十個小時到我的新公寓後，看著堆在公寓辦公室的包裹，想著後車廂以及後座的大大小小的箱子，當下真有種無力感，不知何時才能搬完。不過這兒工作的大叔們很好心地幫我把辦公室裡的包裹搬上樓（好在我的公寓和辦公室是差不多同一棟樓），不然我至少要花上兩天的時間才能搬完吧。當天除了微波爐，所有東西都搬進公寓，我手臂都痛了，也沒力拆箱整理，確認網路可用就已經萬幸了。隔天又和Renka瘋狂採購床墊和各式民生必需品，一天跑了七家店，又上網買了餐桌餐椅書櫃等等，花了兩週我的公寓才稍具雛形。
• 第一次一個人住，一個人煮飯給一個人吃，一個人打理生活上的一切。偶爾難免寂寞，但這樣的經驗我仍舊珍惜。
• 終於當TA了。改著學生的作業，回答學生問題，想著自己大學時期對於TA的崇拜（應該說對於念博士的人們的崇拜），有種時光飛逝的感嘆。
• 拿著學校微薄的獎學金生活，若要修車保養，錢就不夠哩。
• 第一次的遠距離經營感情。目前為止大概還每個月都能見上一次面，已經很珍惜喏。
• Mark煮了美式的糖醋雞丁給我吃，非常美味！

2012的旅遊也非常值得紀錄：

• 和Mark在紐約時代廣場跨年，雖然角度不好沒有看到水晶球，能在現場感受氣氛還是超級開心！也讓2012年有個特別的開始！
• 聖派翠克節去芝加哥看他們把河染成綠色。一大早整座城市就鬧轟轟的，直到晚上都處於酒醉的狀態，我覺得比紐約跨年還要瘋狂！
• 和爸媽參加旅行團去了紐約、費城、華盛頓和波士頓，雖然走馬看花，但短時間要想玩這麼多城市，也就只能犧牲旅遊品質了。最棒的就是進去國會山莊參觀。

最後，年底這幾天生了病（到現在都還是），或許是身體想要找機會徹底休息不被打擾，所以我也就著著實實地睡上了幾天。

2012年，許多事情不得不一人面對，也不斷挑戰自己能力的極限，但也因著許多關心我、愛我的人在背後支撐，我才能繼續前進。雖稱不上是個完美的一年，但我已相當滿足目前擁有的一切。2013年對我而言依舊是個未知，充滿各種變數，但延續著2012的力量，相信屆時我也會開心地回顧2013。

It is because I want to reach the goal of having one post per week, and to keep a record of my current state of mind that I decide to write a review of 2012.  In addition, I also think that reviewing the past is a good way to end this year.

There are a lot of changes in my 2012, and also a lot of my first times:

• Most importantly, I got my PhD admission! My life would have been totally different without this!
• Bought the first car in my life - thanks to parents' support.  Although it is a used car, it plays an important role in my life.
• Great improvement in my driving skill and driving hours.  I used to be tired after driving 3 hours, but now I can drive 10 hours, 500 miles in a day.  This year I have driven 11 times of 500 miles.
• First time finding an apartment by myself in a new city.  I was really nervous since I never had the experience of finding an apartment in Taiwan, not to mention that I had to communicate in English.  In addition, I only had one day to see the apartments, so I felt a lot of pressure.  I really love my current apartment, but the rent is relatively high comparing to my current income.  I may have to move soon. 
• First time moving by myself.  When moving to the US two years ago, only two luggage was allowed.  Everything was bought here.  This year moving from Columbus to Iowa City, I shipped 8 big packages (UPS lost one of them,) and also moved all my stuff via my car, twice, to complete this moving.  I remember that looking at all my packages in the apartment office after 10-hour driving, and thinking about all the stuff I had in my trunk and in the back seat, I really felt helpless - not knowing how long it would take me to finish moving.  Granted that my apartment is in the same building as the office, and also thanks to the men who work in the office helping my moving the boxes to my apartment, otherwise I wouldn't be able to move them all on that day.  My arms were really painful and I was really exhausted after unloading everything in my car, except microwave.  The next day Renka and I went shopping like crazy - we went to 7 different stores to get everything we need, mattress and all sort of stuff.  I also bought my bookshelves and dining table/chairs online.  I finally settled down after two weeks.
• First time living by myself, cooking for and taking care of only one person.  Inevitably I felt lonely sometimes, but I treasured this experience.
• Finally I am a TA.  Grading students' assignments and exams, answering their questions, and thinking about how I thought of those PhDs when I was in college, I couldn't help but felt surprised how time flies.
• It's good to be supported by the university.  However, it is really difficult for me to save money.
• Started the long distance relationship.  So far we were able to see each other at least once per month.  Guess it is good enough.
• Mark cook me the American version of sweet and sour chicken.  So tasty!

Travels I did in 2012 were memorable as well:

• Celebrated 2012 with Mark at Times Square!  Even though we didn't see the ball drop since we were not in the right location, I was still excited to enjoy the atmosphere in New York and the special beginning of my 2012.
• Visited Chicago during St. Patrick's Day, to see the green river.  Everyone was out on the street in their green outfits and celebrating this holiday. The city was drunk starting from 8 o'clock in the morning.  To me it was crazier then New Year's Eve in New York!
• Joined a tour with Mom and Dad, visiting New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC and Boston.  Best of this trip is visiting US capitol.

Finally, I was sick at the end of 2012.  For couple days I did nothing but slept and ate.  My body really needed a complete rest, I guessed.

There were many things that I had to face by myself in 2012, and had to challenge my limitation.  But also because of the support from people who love me and care about me, I had the strength to moving forward.  Although this is not a perfect year, I really treasure what I have so far.  2013 is still an unknown to me, anything could happen.  But with the strength I gained in 2012, I believe I will happily look back at 2013 at the end of next year.