2011: The Year in Review
Sat, Dec. 31st, 2011 10:59 amAs a result of trying to be very specific and accurate about what I'm writing about in this year's round-up, I have noticed, among other things, that this is the seventh year I'm posting my year-end review in this format with almost exactly the same set of questions. This year I modified question 3, changing "resolutions" to "goals," because my own approach has been changing--next year the wording of question 2 will change to align with this philosophy. I also modified question 23, adding in the TV shows I stopped watching. We have relationships with television shows, and it seems to me that it's just as significant to break up with one as it is to maintain a relationship with another. I also added a question, number 30, because I realized that whoever wrote this survey didn't prioritize theater as something memorable and I really wanted to.
They say that the older we get, the faster the time seems to go, and that has certainly been the case for me. Yet, looking back at everything I've written about here, suddenly the year seems to have lasted much longer than it did in the actual living of it, and it's been a busy year indeed.
1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
--Became a sister-in-law and worked on developing relationships with new relatives
--Completed two 5 kilometer runs (well, in my case, walk/jogs)
--Went to Reno and Virginia City
--Had a flash piece published on 10flash
--Attended the Book-it Repertory Gala
--Was involved in a three-car accident
--House sat for a friend
--Visited the Holiday Shops at Bryant Park
--Took belly dance classes
--Attended the "Two Books Enter, One Book Leaves" event at Hugo House, which I really want to go to again
--Made Christmas dinner
2. Did you make any New Year's Resolutions for 2011 and, if so, did you keep them?
I didn't think of my goals for 2011 as resolutions but, rather, as--as I said--goals. And I did keep some of them. I lived healthier, losing 50 pounds and getting exercise more regularly. My cholesterol is perfect, my blood pressure is perfect, and I'm looking pretty good. I wrote some fiction, but not nearly as much as I wanted to. I worked hard at being a good friend and a good sister. Did I take more pictures? No, not really, and this is a source of disappointment. But overall, with regard to goals, I'd call 2011 a win, mainly for the health, friends, and family successes.
3. Any goals for 2012? ( For new year goals and other pressing year-end questions, click the cut-link; feel free also to tl;dr and move on )
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
Several lessons this year, I think:
a. "The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life."--Richard Bach
This lesson was brought home especially when I went back to Long Island for my brother's wedding. I saw people whom I haven't seen in years, like my brother's best friend Russ. In his case, I realized that he's my second younger brother and always has been; it was so good to see him, and I don't want to let that connection go again. I made a point to see him this trip. And, of course, as is ever true, my Seattle and Portland family of friends provide me with love and support that no one but family could provide.
b. Things take time.
My weight loss journey has taught me more patience and determination than any other experience has in a very long time. The rewards are unparalleled.
c. Stay aware of the tools you have and use them.
Competence and confidence come out of experience and practice. Once I learned the tools I needed--whether it was to lose weight or to regain my confidence as a driver after my car accident--I had to remind myself again and again of what I knew and how I'd done things before in order to keep moving forward and making progress. If learning is simply remembering what you already know, then living well is a practice of learning every day of your life.
I send my wishes to everyone here for a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year. May we all have and keep the good things and successes that we strive for, and may we all survive and thrive in 2012. I send my love.
They say that the older we get, the faster the time seems to go, and that has certainly been the case for me. Yet, looking back at everything I've written about here, suddenly the year seems to have lasted much longer than it did in the actual living of it, and it's been a busy year indeed.
1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
--Became a sister-in-law and worked on developing relationships with new relatives
--Completed two 5 kilometer runs (well, in my case, walk/jogs)
--Went to Reno and Virginia City
--Had a flash piece published on 10flash
--Attended the Book-it Repertory Gala
--Was involved in a three-car accident
--House sat for a friend
--Visited the Holiday Shops at Bryant Park
--Took belly dance classes
--Attended the "Two Books Enter, One Book Leaves" event at Hugo House, which I really want to go to again
--Made Christmas dinner
2. Did you make any New Year's Resolutions for 2011 and, if so, did you keep them?
I didn't think of my goals for 2011 as resolutions but, rather, as--as I said--goals. And I did keep some of them. I lived healthier, losing 50 pounds and getting exercise more regularly. My cholesterol is perfect, my blood pressure is perfect, and I'm looking pretty good. I wrote some fiction, but not nearly as much as I wanted to. I worked hard at being a good friend and a good sister. Did I take more pictures? No, not really, and this is a source of disappointment. But overall, with regard to goals, I'd call 2011 a win, mainly for the health, friends, and family successes.
3. Any goals for 2012? ( For new year goals and other pressing year-end questions, click the cut-link; feel free also to tl;dr and move on )
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
Several lessons this year, I think:
a. "The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life."--Richard Bach
This lesson was brought home especially when I went back to Long Island for my brother's wedding. I saw people whom I haven't seen in years, like my brother's best friend Russ. In his case, I realized that he's my second younger brother and always has been; it was so good to see him, and I don't want to let that connection go again. I made a point to see him this trip. And, of course, as is ever true, my Seattle and Portland family of friends provide me with love and support that no one but family could provide.
b. Things take time.
My weight loss journey has taught me more patience and determination than any other experience has in a very long time. The rewards are unparalleled.
c. Stay aware of the tools you have and use them.
Competence and confidence come out of experience and practice. Once I learned the tools I needed--whether it was to lose weight or to regain my confidence as a driver after my car accident--I had to remind myself again and again of what I knew and how I'd done things before in order to keep moving forward and making progress. If learning is simply remembering what you already know, then living well is a practice of learning every day of your life.
I send my wishes to everyone here for a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year. May we all have and keep the good things and successes that we strive for, and may we all survive and thrive in 2012. I send my love.