2011 - Highlights and Lessons Learned

2011 was a great year!
Full of good times and frustrating times, but mostly good times. Here's a few of the highlights:

• My brother, Kyle, came home from Afghanistan safely.

• We went on a Mexican Riviera, family cruise the day after the big earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
• I discovered my very first gray hair while on the cruise.
• Had an awesome 31st birthday and didn't even have to leave the country. I have a wonderful family and friend's and that made it a very memorable day. 

• They dissolved the awesome student ward I was going to, so I decided to drop out of the single's ward scene and start going to a family ward.
• I decided to start running and did 3 Half Marathons - Salt Lake, Top of Utah in Logan, and Snow Canyon in St. George

• I took my first Solo trip to Ireland- You can read all about that trip starting here. Twas Awesome!
• I started doing web and graphic design freelancing work with Deseret Book and my brother's Forked Up Art business.
• Took a few cooking classes through my new favorite restaurant, Thymes and Seasons. Here's just a few of the things I learned out to make
• the best pie crust ever
• several pasta dishes
• a number of Royal Thai dishes

 

• Finally had new photos taken of me and gave them to my family for Christmas. Our family photo wall now can replace the 10 year old photo of me. Yay!

• Our family also welcomed a new addition. Judson and Michelle had another little boy they named Wynn. He's a sweet little guy. 

Life Lessons Learned

• I'm never truly alone.
• While I can do things by myself, it doesn't mean it's the best way to go about it.
• While I enjoy being single and all the freedoms that entails, that is not my ultimate destination and desire.
• I really want a permanent travel buddy.

Life List Items checked off this year:

• Vist a pub in Ireland (Totally forgot this was on my list.)
• Run a half marathon (Did 3 this year!)

TV Shows that I currently love: 
Sea Patrol, Rescue Special Ops, Bones, Once Upon A Time


Music I enjoyed this year:

• Adele
• How to Train Your Dragon Soundtrack
• Kelly Clarkson's latest
• Lindsey Stirling

Notable Natural disasters in 2011

• Earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand
• Earthquake and tsunami in Japan
• Earthquake on East Coast
• Hurricane Irene hit the East Coast 
• Hurricane strength winds in Bountiful, Farmington, and Layton, Utah.

What I'm looking forward to in 2012:

• Run a full marathon
• More wonderful trips and meeting more wonderful people
• Bobsledding in Park City, Utah
• Visiting every LDS temple in Utah
• Visiting the main sites to see in Southern Utah (Zion's, Bryce Canyon, Moab, etc.)