Power Point: A Year in Review.

2010 has been a very eventful year.

This year has been more significant than any other in my relatively short history. It's also been a rather challenging year. The transition from secondary to tertiary education proved to be a greater leap forward compared to when seen on the application forms; and as a result, it's been a rather humbling experience.

Academia aside, this year hasn't been a walk in the park. In fact, it's been far from it.

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that this year has been a year of change. But whether that change was been coupled with progress, well then that's another matter.

Quite frankly, this year has been a rather terrible one. A shit one in fact. And it's been a rather tiring experience. After 12 months of having to deal with everything that 2010 has thrown at me, I am officially exhausted and well and truly over it.

Many say that the dawn on a new year also represents a clean slate for us to begin again and leave behind the mistakes of the past. Whilst it's a nice image, I don't buy it for a second. Despite this year being a relatively important turning point, similar mistakes were made in almost identical circumstances as to errors made in years gone-by. And having these things occur for a second time in similar circumstances really takes it's toll.

There are many things beyond my control which probably contributed to this errors; but I also know that there is also been an element of self-sabotage through insecurity and neuroticism. I like to think that people see Max Power is seen as someone who remains headstrong and confident, someone who is comfortable with the situation surrounding him. And I am aware that it does sound rather arrogant of myself to say that.

My colleague Vittoria brought up a very relevant issue in her last entry.
"Am I where I want to be?
Where am I going?
Do I need to change my direction?

I think self reflection is important to remain balanced. The only trouble is that I don't know the answers to those questions."

I find myself in that same boat. I don't have any answers to either of those questions and I find myself wondering.

As a child, we have hopes and dreams. As teens we refine those hopes and dreams, and begin to establish goals. But once we leave the school yard, the idea behind easily achieving those goals disappears and you're left wondering what went wrong.

It's been a tumultuous year. There were of course, good days and bad, as well as many in between.

I only hope that by the end of 2011, I'll have come up with some sort of answers to Vittoria's questions.