Memories and Goals

I absolutely love this time of year!! I love the hope, optimism, and anticipation of the beginning of another year. To commemorate this time of year, I am going to list my highlights of 2011 and some goals I have for 2012.

First, the Highlights:
1. PIANO:
I started taking piano lessons from Angie L* in February, and so I almost have a year of lessons (as an adult) under my belt. I'm now at the point where I can sight-read most of the Primary Songs of our church, and I'm making headway at being able to play most Hymns with a little bit of practice .
2. TENNIS:
Chad and I played three seasons of mixed doubles in Ultimate Tennis--definitely a learning experience for us, figuring out how to #1, play mixed doubles, and #2, try to win without sacrificing the fun of the game. I think we made a lot of headway by our third season together, and I'm really looking forward to another season starting in February. Overall we had a lot of fun! Our overall record is 9-5, and we even won our division in our third season! Go us! And I also had my first seasons of singles (record 3-4) and doubles with my friend Rasika W* (record 0-5...here's for a better season for us this year, which starts in a couple weeks). And Chad has also played singles....he played so well this year, they bumped him up to the 4.5 level, and he still had a winning season in that level!
3. SEWING:
We bought a sewing machine in February, and this year I've been learning how to use it. I helped make a quilt with my sisters for my mom for Mother's Day. I also made some pillow covers for our house! I'm excited to use it for more projects this year!
4. TRAVELING:
This year we made some unforgettably awesome memories with friends and family in:
-Bryson City, NC
-Rome, Italy
-Naples, Italy
-Athens, Greece
-Northern Israel
-Jerusalem and the Dead Sea
-Ephesus, Turkey
-Rhodes, Greece
-Chania, Greece
-Zermatt, Switzerland (and the surrounding area)
-Murren, Switzerland (and the surrounding area)
-Utah, visiting family
-Eugene, Oregon (just Abbi)
-Malawi (just Chad)
-Hilton Head, South Carolina
-Savannah, Georgia
5. WORK:
Chad graduated from his fellowship at the CDC in June and is now working with the pneumonia division. He has continued to outdo himself, presenting at several prestigious conferences, writing several articles for prestigious journals, analyzing several complex data sets, and traveling several different places in his effort to reduce the prevalence of flu and pneumonia in children world-wide. And I worked 3 days a week at Creme de la Creme, trying to reduce the prevalence of hitting, pushing, screaming, whining, and crying in the ten 3-year-olds in my class.
6. MOVIE-MAKING:
This year I made my first two videos of pictures put to music. I've always wanted to learn how to make these videos, and it's been fun to start this hobby.
7. TEMPLE:
May 1 was the greatly anticipated rededication of the LDS Atlanta Temple. I got to attend it (as well as the cultural celebration the night before), which were two very inspiring experiences. My Aunt Elaine and Uncle Morris came out to visit us for it, and it was a really special time with them. I started working in the LDS Atlanta temple once a week in November. It has been an awesome opportunity that I am so grateful to have.
8. CHURCH:
This year I've been teaching the 12 and 13 year-olds at church and Chad's been teaching the 16 and 17 year-olds. We work with the best kids, and they really inspire us with their faith and commitment to do what's right. I was also published in an online edition of our church's magazine, the Ensign.
9. CELEBRATING 11-11-11
Enough said.

And here's our 2011 Soundtrack:

1. When It Don't Come Easy, by Patty Griffin
2. Trapeze, by Patty Griffin
3. Icicles, by Patty Griffin (sensing a pattern yet?)
4. Rain, by Patty Griffin
5. Everybody, by Ingrid Michaelson
6. Anna Rose, by Vienna Tang
7. Hallelujah, by Allison Crowe
8. Falling Slowly, by Linda Eder
9. Chasing Cars, by Snow Patrol
10. One Moment More, by Mindy Smith
11. Till Kingdom Come, by Coldplay
12. Fields of Gold, by Eva Cassidy
13. This Year's Love, by David Gray
14. I Know My Love, by the Chieftains and the Corrs
15. Mr. Rock and Roll, by Amy Macdonald
16. Winter Song, by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson

And now for my GOALS for 2012:
1. Don't sweat the small stuff
2. Practice the piano at least 3 hours a week (not including my lessons)
3. Make at least 3 sewing projects this year (ambitious, I know)
4. Make and set 2-3 Personal Progress goals a month
5. Have a better attitude about meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking
6. Plant flowering bushes and plants in front of our home
7. Make new goals as needed throughout the year...

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!