2011: A Year In Review

Wow. Another year has come and gone. I've been trying to think if I've shown any personal growth this past year. I'm going to be honest with you - that's a negative! The good news is that leaves me lots of room for improvement in 2012.

The other piece of good news is that (as is my custom) I did not make any resolutions for 2011. So technically, I am not a failure! Instead, at the end of each year, I like to reflect on some of the things I did accomplish in the past 12 months and take a moment to be grateful for the good things in my life.

This year I:
* Enjoyed lots of time with my family. We were able to be all together for Tanner's blessing, Tricia's graduation, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. What luck!

* Decided it was time to buy a new car - and bought one.

* Went to the Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City for the first time. Fell in love with the outdoor theater.

* Loved my nephews. Big time.

* And my niece. Just as much!

* Went to three new-to-me temples: Rexburg, Idaho Falls and St. Louis Missouri.

* Did away with my long-time rule that I would go out at least once with anyone who had the guts to ask me (as long as I wasn't afraid for my life). It was a good rule in my college years. But I'm not 21 anymore. I have a masters degree and a career. And I'm not going to Marie Callender's with crazies anymore.

*Went to Tricia's college graduation. I may never have to proof-read another research paper for English 2010. Wahoo!!!

*Moved out of The Pink Office that has been my work space for the past 8 years. Staked my claim on an empty "partner's office," moved in quietly on a holiday weekend and didn't get kicked out.

*Went on my first cruise. Lounged on the desk and read my murder mystery. Lounged on the beach in the Bahamas. Hiked Mayan ruins in Mexico. Lounged some more at the buffet.

* Stood by a stingray and swam with dolphins in the Grand Caymans.

*Went ziplining in Honduras. Yes, that makes me cool.

I believe it was the playwright Samuel Beckett who said, "Go ahead and fail. Try again. And fail better." I love that. It's become my motto in 2011 and I'm going to hold onto it for 2012. Here's to a year of failing better.