I can't remember how old I am

Today is my birthday.

It's very convenient to start a new year and a new age at the same time. I celebrate a new year on January 1st and January 3rd. I've always loved my birth date.

Looking back on this year the thing I remember most is that I went to work. Then when I got off of work I went to work again, just at a different job. Then when I got off work again, I went home and worked more. I remember exhaustion. I remember a lot of tears. I remember feeling completely lost. I remember feeling like I'd lost myself, my sense of humor, my ability to have fun, my ability to manage my life. I remember feeling a lot like this.

But, I also remember a family I can't get enough of, parents who were more understanding and compassionate than I ever knew they could be, sisters and friends who'd walk to hell and back with me just so I'd have a shoulder to cry on, friend's parents who worry about me like I am one of their own, a bishop who let me cry about my job/financial/life situation every time I walked into his office and never made me feel embarrassed about it, a friend who loved me without even knowing my name (may she rest in peace), being able to simultaneously call 3 different people my 'best friend'. I remember Switzerland & Spain, puzzles and pictures. I remember being happy. I remember being hopeful.

Thank you, 2010.

In 2011, 33 year old me will nurture my spirituality, work less, work smarter, have more fun, lots more fun, be more adventurous, take care of my body, take care of my home and take the one big risk I was too scared to take in 2010.

The first song I listened to in 2011 and my theme song for the year:

32 for 32 - recap

1. stop putting off going to the grand canyon and go to the grand canyon already - Check! Best 4 hour drive to see a big hole I've ever taken. It's just too bad about the Frosty fob.
   
2. read "Les Miserable" (unabridged) - Fail. I didn't even buy it.
   
3. get rid of everything in my closet that doesn't reflect my true style (attempt replenishing) - Fail. I still hate almost all of my clothes.
   
4. send Thank You cards - Fail. This does not mean that I was unthankful.
   
5. quit at least one of my jobs - Check! Too bad I unquit. Now I just have to requit.
   
6. ride a razor scooter in Europe - 1/2Check. I went. I saw an old man in a suit riding a razor scooter in Basel. Sadly, I did not ride a razor scooter while there. Bitchin' trip though! Please watch this video.
   
7. piece a quilt - Fail.
   
8. go to the temple monthly - Mega Fail. At least I went once. Yes. Just once. Oh man...
   
9. learn to make stir fry like my mom - Fail.
   
10. start a beach cruiser bike gang - Check! Best damn beach cruiser gang ever. We don't even need a beach! (Thank goodness the BlackWidow blogged everything for me)
    
11. turn a photo into a jigsaw puzzle - Fail. Sad fail. But you should see my puzzle collection. I'm thinking about building a special closet for it.
    
12. throw a fancy party - Fail.
    
13. crash a wedding - Fail.
    
14. go to calico ghost town - Check! Probably one of the most amazing days of my life.
15. go to 20 concerts/live shows - Check. Too easy. Best of? Fun. And Keane.
    
16. photoshoot at the dry lake bed - Fail. Meh.
    
17. go to a play - Fail.
    
18. have a mohawk... or fauxhawk - Fail. Didn't even have anywhere cool to wear one. Then again, isn't my life just a cool enough place to wear one?
    
19. do tin foil dinners - Fail.
    
20. keep my room clean for two consecutive weeks - Epic Fail. Couldn't even keep it clean for two consecutive days.
    
21. post more pics on le blog - Fail. Ya know... cuz I didn't even blog.
    
22. knit something - Fail.
    
23. attend a photography workshop - Check! Very, very successful check.
    
24. put shelves in my storage room - Fail.
    
25. learn to play the ukelele - Check! I learned 3 chords. Which means I can play one song... which is probably one more song than you know.
    
26. go hiking in Zion - Fail.
    
27. watch a meteor shower - Fail. Did we even have one of those this year?
    
28. go kayaking - Fail.
    
29. road trip with just one other person - Fail. Unless you count driving across town.
    
30. read the book of mormon in french - Fail. Again, I say: Oh man...
    
31. pay off my car loan - Check! Getting the title in the mail was the second best piece of mail I've ever gotten.
    
32. go to a rave - Fail.

9 of 32.
Considering the hell of a year it was I am actually amazed and proud that I even checked that many items off my list. Despite the hell of a year it was, it was a good year. A real good year.

Church of Calico

Did I tell you about the time we went to Calico Ghost Town?

The Black Widow summed it up nicely so you'll have to go here to check it out.
All I can say is: MAGICAL!

Jack, a Bible and a Smoking Gun

32 for 32

Right now I have a mile long list of things I should be doing (sleeping being high on the list) but instead I can't get my mind off of how excited I am about being an even age this year. My odd years are never quite as good (ie- they suck) as my even years so for 362 of the 365 days of 2009 I was just waiting for the year to get over with. Arrival!

I herewith present my 32 for 32.

1. stop putting off going to the grand canyon and go to the grand canyon already
2. read "Les Miserable" (unabridged)
3. get rid of everything in my closet that doesn't reflect my true style (attempt replenishing)
4. send Thank You cards
5. quit at least one of my jobs
6. ride a razor scooter in Europe
7. piece a quilt
8. go to the temple monthly
9. learn to make stir fry like my mom
10. start a beach cruiser bike gang
11. turn a photo into a jigsaw puzzle
12. throw a fancy party
13. crash a wedding
14. go to calico ghost town
15. go to 20 concerts/live shows
16. photoshoot at the dry lake bed
17. go to a play
18. have a mohawk... or fauxhawk
19. do tin foil dinners
20. keep my room clean for two consecutive weeks
21. post more pics on le blog
22. knit something
23. attend a photography workshop
24. put shelves in my storage room
25. learn to play the ukelele
26. go hiking in Zion
27. watch a meteor shower
28. go kayaking
29. road trip with just one other person
30. read the book of mormon in french
31. pay off my car loan
32. go to a rave

Brie, please!

I know it kind of feels like contest central around here. Sorry to bombard you but... BUT!

I think you all need to head over to a little sussy to vote for my sister's Toasted Cranapple Brie Sandwich (France). The one by Kalani Cropper.

Also, you should head over to Kalani's new blog Kalanicut. Delightful!

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And since I haven't posted any good photos of anything good for a good long time I'll share the ditty I created for my birthday invite. Yes, I stole the pic from the interweb but I made it better.


PS- If you want to celebrate my birthday with me, save the date for January 2 & 3. You're all invited. Flogging Molly. Singstar. Cupcakes. Need I say more?