{via}
Wow.
2011.
I am not quite ready for you.
I’ve hardly wrapped my head around 2010. But nobody asks me if I am ready for yet another new year. It just comes and at the very least, it provides opportunity for fresh starts, new dreams and goals.
I am a little bummed that I fell off the reverb10 bandwagon kind of early, but with the whole travel-disaster followed by the holidays and barely 8 days of vacation with my family, the whole blogging thing took a backseat on my priority list. I know you understand. Some of you might have been there as well.
I wanted to write a recap of this last year, wanted to touch on subjects that I thought needed to be addressed one more time in order to move forward in 2011. But to be honest, I didn’t find the time and peace of mind between Christmas and New Year to write a reflective post. I was too busy soaking up every last second of time with my family, time to relax (without any commitments) and the need to just be for a few days.
2010 was a bit of a rollercoaster year for me. Some things I shared here, some things I did not. I guess, every year has highs and lows. That’s the nature of our existence. Without the lows, we wouldn’t recognize the highs.
* * *
My highs and lows of 2010 (bullet-style):
Started of the year with the fulfillment of a dream: horseback riding on the Californian beach (yeah!) + I rearranged our living room + took a crochet class + (then) my Granddad died + headed to Germany for the funeral and at least got to spend another birthday with my (twin) sister (hooray!) + took a walk down memory lane while visiting my Granddad’s house for the last time + became the aunt of a new nephew + got let down by a supposed-to-be friend + realized once again that true friends that I can truly rely on are hard to find + got to spend three wonderful weeks in Germany this summer + learned that being independent and self-sufficient is one of the strengths you have to possess when living far away from family and friends + enjoyed the Soccer World Cup + got the chance to go on a work-related one-week-long field trip to Hawaii this summer + started the 365 project (and failed miserably two month in – need to revive soon!) + worked on a lot of crafty projects in the fall + spent a great Halloween and lovely Thanksgiving with dear friends + completed another year of NaBloPoMo in November + hosted my first giveaway + went to see a College football game and got rained on + worked my butt off to be rewarded with a three day trip to a science conference in San Francisco + got stuck at London-Heathrow for 4,5 days on my way to Germany + finally enjoyed Christmas and New Year’s with my family + fell even more in love with my niece Greta and my nephew Tom + celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary on December, 31st.
* * *
I still wouldn’t mind a little smoother sailing in 2011. I am not one to make a ton of new year’s resolutions just to end up not sticking to them. I’d like to think of them as intentions and goals, guidelines that I am striving to live by, not static resolutions at which I am bound to fail. Some of them, I already outlined in some of the reverb10 posts in December.
For those of you, who are eagerly awaiting my recap of Christmas and New Year’s in Germany, be assured, I’ll get to that very soon. Since I returned on Monday night, I just haven’t had a chance to fully digest my much-too-short visit at home and to download my photos yet.
I apologize for not being around much for the last two weeks. I have an overflowing Google Reader to catch up on and try to get back into the swing of things here on my blog, but I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to wish you a Happy New Year before the first week of the new year is already over.
Kat
January 7, 2011 at 1:59 amI think everyone understand that you needed to get the most out of your time in Germany, especially since those 4 days were stolen from you! ;) Although there were some downs for your in 2010, this quick review shows that there were quite a few ups as well – and as you said, the right balance is what it’s all about. :)
Happy New Year to you, and I can’t wait to hear about Christmas spent over here!
<3 <3
.-= Kat blogged this: 9 =-.
Kat
January 7, 2011 at 1:59 amOh, also! I love the image you used! I saw it on WeHeartIt a couple days ago and originally wanted to use it as well… It’s so simple but so perfect. :)
Emily Jane
January 7, 2011 at 5:43 amI love that image too :) I hope 2011 brings you peace, happiness, and lots of good memories! Happy new year, looking forward to hearing about Christmas!
.-= Emily Jane blogged this: Spread Your Love Like A Fever =-.
mandy
January 7, 2011 at 6:22 amSo glad that you enjoyed the holidays with your family. I quickly fell off the Reverb wagon as well. I enjoy looking back and reflecting, but it was a bit too much looking back and not enough looking forward for me.
Fingers crossed for a smoother 2011 for you!
Maribeth
January 7, 2011 at 7:35 amI hope 2011 is a good year for you, San. Yes, 2010 was full of life’s ups and downs.
Manderz
January 7, 2011 at 8:37 amReverb and I didn’t get very far either. I think you’re absolutely right about needing the lows to make the highs feel like highs. I’m hoping my low 2010 will make for a high 2011. Welcome back!
emmysuh
January 7, 2011 at 10:32 amAgreed, there have to be ups and downs. I know we’d all prefer more ups, but without the downs…we wouldn’t appreciate the ups as much. Let’s just pray for a ratio more in favor of ups, and that our downs aren’t TOO down.
Stefanie
January 7, 2011 at 1:24 pmI enjoyed your bullet style recap. I even remember most of the posts where you talked about all your adventures as well as ups and downs during the past year.
I am glad you made the most if your (too short) time in Germany and I am looking forward to reading all about it. :)
Happy New Year 2011!!!!
.-= Stefanie blogged this: Waiting might be worthwhile after all =-.
Antje
January 8, 2011 at 4:38 amHappy New Year to you both with many, many ups to look back on 12 months from now! Thank you also for the lovely handmade card, we loved it!
.-= Antje blogged this: SIMONS FIRST CHRISTMAS =-.
Carolina
January 8, 2011 at 7:16 amHappy 2011 to you! Thank you for the cute Christmas card, it made my day when I received it! Can’t wait to read about your Christmas at home. My heart felt sad for you when you lost 4 days with your family, stuck in London. I hope 2011 is amazing for you!!
.-= Carolina blogged this: 2011–Getting in Focus =-.
susi
January 8, 2011 at 8:45 amthank you for sharing your year with us (again). I am always impressed about your creative writing, including all those different topics. Happy New Year to you, see you soon, love, Susi
Aidan Donnelley Rowley @ Ivy League Insecurities
January 9, 2011 at 5:30 am“Without the lows, we wouldn’t recognize the highs.”
I believe this and deeply. Cheers to a good year, full of exquisite highs (and a sprinkling of manageable lows to allow us to recognize the peaks).
kim
January 9, 2011 at 7:57 ami am so sorry that you got cheated out of such valuable family time (and time with me as a consequence) and i’m hoping for an AMAZING 2011 in every way. be strong, stand up for yourself, listen to yourself and do what’s good for you and not just for others. i love you tons and hope to see you real soon! xoxoxo
.-= kim blogged this: A is for angel =-.
Holly
January 23, 2011 at 11:49 amIt sounds like you had a lot of ups and downs in 2010! I hope that 2011 brings nothing but happiness & wonderful things to you. You deserve the very best!
.-= Holly blogged this: Blondies Day! =-.