Much has been accomplished, many more things to do!

Achievements for 2011

I learned a bunch of new things.

• Joined a creative writing workshop and formed a writers group
• Learned to surf with the Philippine Surfing Academy
• Took a lapdance class at a pole-dancing school in Detroit

I did a ton of traveling. One trip a month for the entire year!

• Denver for DrupalCamp
• Austin for my birthday
• Chicago for DrupalCon
• New Orleans with ZingIT
• Barcelona with Jason
• Portland for the Mensa AG
• Rome, Hannover, Paris with the family
• Orlando over Thanksgiving
• Manila visiting family

Goals for 2012

Make time for unstructured learning. Enhance existing skills.

• Finally learn how to fix my hair into various styles
• Go to the DIA
• Learn a new dance: salsa, swing?
• Take the scuba refresher course
• Go wall climbing
• Go surfing

Travel selectively.

• Hawaii
• Mexico
• Seattle
• Denver
• Plan 2013 destinations

Write!

• Write a story
• Take 300 daily photos and post
• Read 15 books
• Blog everyday for a week

Love my house.

• Paint living room
• Get a new couch
• Host 5 parties
• Hang art on my bedroom wall

Maintain healthy finances.

• Make $1000 in additional income
• Assemble personal stock portfolio
• Start a business
• Outsource something

Build relationships.

• Meet 10 new people
• Flirt with a stranger
• Go to a club and DANCE

Cultivate my style

• Find a good tailor in A2
• Get portrait done

Getting lost in a corn maze

Visiting the Downtown Aquarium – The giant grouper was cool!

The girl at the ticket counter mentioned that there was going to be a wedding at the nurse shark tank. Wait, did she say “at the tank?” No, it was IN the tank. A turtle accompanies the best man.

To have and to hold… and to maintain buoyancy.

Mr. Giant Grouper decides to crash the wedding.

Creepy jellies

For food, an excellent Italian restaurant, Locanda del Borgo (delicious gnocchi, veal scalloppine) and a tummy-filling Korean place, Seoul BBQ.

The question is, what four elements make a most awesome Saturday evening?

K took me to the Denver Navy Day Ball! It was a grand formal affair celebrating the 234th birthday of the U.S. Navy. It was held at the Wings over the Rockies Museum, an old WW2 hangar that was, for that evening, decorated with white linen-clothed tables, candles, and wine glasses amidst restored historic aircraft. The theme was the 1940′s, “Dungarees and Dixie Cups.” The men and women in the different armed forces looked sharp in their dress uniforms (the Marines have it best, I think). Their female guests sashayed in curvy gowns with bright red lips and flowers in their tightly curled hair. Scarily, a handful of husbands made the unfortunate decision to come in zoot suits (oh no!). Not K, he was in a tux. Since this was a surprise for me, we had to spend the afternoon finding something for me to wear, ultimately finding a perfectly fitting, gorgeous gold cowl neck dress from Ralph Lauren. It was so beautiful.

The event started with an hour-long ceremony filled with fascinating military traditions. We stood for the Parade the Colors, Navy Hymn and Taps, raised our glasses in response to the commanders’ toasts, and honored a Pearl Harbor survivor. There was even a small table set for one at the front to remind the guests of comrades in service who are missing in action or prisoners of war. At some point, the oldest and youngest soldier cut the cake with a sword. The program ended with two bells, customarily signaling the end of the day on a ship.

Then it was dinner and dancing… to a live 7-piece swing band! Yessss! The whole evening was sublime!

Last Saturday night I hosted (the first monthly) GenYM Game Night. It totally rocked! Great company, cheerful atmosphere, fun games. At random moments during the party I found myself stepping back to let the room wash over me. What really got me was how festive everything looked.

I went seriously OCD in the preparations, but I figured this crowd would understand. Like fragrant white lilies in the freshly-painted bathroom. Bottled drinks chilling in a bright pink bucket of ice. Potluck contributions re-plated on proper serving dishes. Attention-grabbing colorful paper napkin cones. My mother the natural hostess would be proud.

The local GenYM group only became active a few months ago. We first got together for dinner one Saturday night in March and five of us ended up hanging out at one guy’s house till 2 in the morning playing board games. In April, we spent the day in downtown Detroit. This is but the third time we gathered in one place again and already everyone’s comfortable with each other. It’s okay to be weird or geeky or horribly inept at certain things. The candor with which everyone reveals their personalities is refreshing. Last Saturday gave me a much-needed recharge!

Having only had 4 hours of sleep, the following morning I trooped with ZingIT to Cedar Point! Whee! It was a fun fun time. My favorites were the Top Thrill Dragster, Power Tower and SkyHawk. We’re going to make it an annual event.  Somewhat alarming 2 seconds of the day: I almost passed out on the Millenium Force. Clearly, I am not astronaut material.