Dec 31... 2011 in memories...

2011 was a big year for me... really big... moving (literally) half way around the world by my self big... and it was awesome for so many reasons both before and after the move... to capture some of it...

-completed my first half marathon - 13.1km in 2:25ish which was right on pace with my goal (win!), also ran a 15km race and the 10km sun run (pretty good for someone who doesn't like to run)
-paddled all winter in the small boat series and got to spend lots of quality time with good friends
-went to new (Denver, Perth) and old (Toronto, Ottawa) places
-accepted a job in Australia in March, signed the contract in April and had my visa approved in May
-epic sleepover... 6 people stayed in my one bedroom apartment and it was one of the best nights I've had in forever especially as the evening started with good friends, lots of food, cake and coffee ice cream (Calvin you rock!)... I still blame the late night giggles on the ice cream...
-said goodbye to some really awesome friends over the two months I was unemployed and packing my 8 years of Vancouver life into a 5' x 8' trailer (my life fits in a trailer... crazy!)
-had an awesome roadtrip to Ottawa with my 11 year old buddy to see my dearest friend and it was amazing
-saw Wicked (again) twice!
-came thisclose to seeing the Canucks win the Stanley Cup but instead smelled the burning rubber from the riots
-fell in love with English Bay but cheated on it with the paddle wheeler... sadly left them both behind because...
-I MOVED TO AUSTRALIA
-found an charming little cottage to move into
-bought a surfski (and am still learning to paddle it)
-found crossfit which has in many ways changed my life
-met an awesome group of inspiring people who are all chasing their own dreams and encouraging me to chase mine
-did my first unassisted pull-up
-went on many disastrous dates and was about to give up when I met a good one who makes me better and is teaching me to be calm and patient
-let go of one of my oldest friends and the person who once knew me best (bye ft)
-had a summer birthday (odd)
-and a summer christmas (very odd)
-went to a tiny little island in the South Pacific (Rarotonga) to see good friends and paddled outrigger for the first time in 3 months reconfirming my love of the sport

But most importantly 2011 has been the year I've been content all on my own, not wanting or needing for anything more than I have - beautiful people who love and support me all around the world - I've learned that stuff doesn't matter as much as relationships and that people come and go and we must cherish every moment we have with them... that it's easy to brighten a persons day with an unexpected phone call or a postcard or just a note telling them you're thinking about them... that the world isn't such a big place after all even though the oceans are daunting... it was a year of trusting my instincts and taking chances and it's made me stronger and I've loved every minute... bring it 2012, I'm ready for you!

Dec 27... 2011, a reflection...

Things 2011 has taught me...

-you cannot predict where you will be one year from now - sometimes even your wildest dreams don't come close to guessing
-it's better to speak your mind than hold back out of fear - we need to risk our hearts to find what we truly deserve and
-that which scares us the most matters most
-sometimes you just need to ask for what you want - the worst you can hear is no but at least then you can move forward
-sometimes your friends are found in the least likely of places - the constants aren't those you'd expect and the ones who you'd never thought would do keep in touch
-it's okay to move on - to let go when something isn't working anymore - to friendships, to loved ones or anything else that no longer makes you happy
-you can't hold on to someone who doesn't want to be held - you just have to let them go so they can come back on their own, in time
-and it's okay to walk away from something that on the surface 'seems' right if in your heart it isn't regardless of what other people think (this was partly a 2010 realization)
-and it's okay to be lonely or sad but only for moments - then you must see the good and keep moving forward
-you don't get to choose your family and it's okay to leave them behind - if they truly love you you'll get all their support and not their spite
-we only get one chance in this world so we have to make each day count, savour the experiences both good and bad - the connections - they'll come and go but each one shapes us into who we are
-the world is massive - but technology can keep us close (most times)
-our greatest gift is our love - that we give freely without expectation, it makes us stronger
-the ability to accept love does as well
-love comes in many forms
-sometimes plans change and people who care for you surprise you by changing their plans so you don't have to be alone on a morning that means so much (thank you R.)
-traditions can be kept, or made on your own
-there is no predicting or dressing for Perth weather - sun/rain, heat/wind... constant changes
-the more you want your phone to ring the less likely it will
-but surprise wake-up calls on Christmas morning can make all the difference (thanks Ash!)
-and even when things look good and strong they often end unexpectedly and so we should cherish every good moment we have and ignore what may happen in the end
-30C Christmases don't feel right
-nor does summer in December
-crossfit is addictive
-the only place I can tune out the world is on my surfski or during a hard WOD
-the view is different from the top of a hill or from half way around the world
-good friends will always be there/ you can always come back to them
-sometimes all it takes is a slight shift in perspective to make things good again
-places that hold memories will fade over time and new ones will take their place - we need to keep making more memories
-a hot shower or a cold beer are cures for many things
-sometimes our dreams for the future change and that's okay... we only get one life to lead and it's not a straight line
-you have to take chances, lay it on the line to truly feel alive
-you can't depend on others to make you happy - you have to learn to do that on your own and that in itself will bring out more happiness around you
-2011 was my year for finding happiness - perhaps contentedness is a better description but I'm strong, standing on my own and I'm ready to find someone to share this life with, together, independently
-guacamole and watermelon could both be their own food groups
-paddling is the same around the world - and paddlers are a special welcoming breed and I love them all for it