[ authority ]

    A lady waves a flier in my face, speaking quickly in Mandarin Chinese. Several others are holding newspapers and fliers in their hands and, as we walk by, take turns waving them in our faces. The sidewalk is lined with beggars, nearly all of them handicapped. Some severely so. Each of them looks into my eyes, hopeful for a chance at money. Probably even more hopeful seeing the color of my skin, since all white people are rich to them.

   I do my best to just keep smiling at each of them, acknowledging them as humans and not as sidewalk ornaments as many people do.

   People are milling by in every direction, creating confusion to a sense of common destination. Everyone gives us a curious glance as they walk past. White people are scarce here. Vendors in their stalls are furiously bargaining for their best price. Stalls line the sidewalk, directly across from the beggars.

[ cliché "what i've learned/things i've done in 2011" post ]

   Soooo after debating about it in my head for a couple of days, I decided to do the cliché  "What I learned/things I've done in 2011" post.

   Why?

   Well. I think there's a lot learned from seeing the things you've done, both good and bad. Over the years, reflecting has taught me a lot about myself and why I do the things I do. And shoot, it's fun to see what you've actually done in the past year.

   I've also decided to split this into two different posts. So we'll start with what I learned this year.