Tuesday, December 31, 2013

2013 - my year in review

It’s time for my annual look back at the year that was... in this case unlucky 2013.

In general, I feel like 2013 sucked. I hate being a Negative Nellie (because it is technically still #nocomplaintsdecember) but it really did. Sure there was lots of fun with friends. But I know very few people who weren’t affected by a health issue (either their own or someone close to them) or death this year. And that kind of outweighs a fancy dinner out. I’ve also found myself in another not-conducive-to-intellectual-growth/overly-stressful work situation. And to top it off (and add some levity to my Negative Nellie-ness), Richie Sambora a) left Bon Jovi b) was kicked out of Bon Jovi c) is no longer in my favorite band since I was 12... so does it really matter what happened? Ugh.

Anyway, it’s not surprising in reviewing my optimistic outlook for 2013 -- written at the end of 2012 (pre-new job/illness/death/sadness/the end of my favorite band since I was 12) -- that very little stands out as overly positive this past year.

So I say good riddance 2013 – don’t let the door hit you on the way out!

Here's to a happy, healthy 2014 and hoping that, as Howard Jones once sang, things can only get better!

 Year in Review Part 1 -- My 2012 Goals Scorecard:
  1. Physical - Health / Live Healthily: Eat healthy food most of the time, but don't deprive myself. Maintain my goal weight and work out at least two-to-three times per week. 
    • Half Check/Half Fail: I’ve lived most of the year within +/- 3 pounds of my goal weight. My workouts also fluctuated. I did really well this summer, even meeting a mini-goal of going to Pop Physique three times/week for an entire month and riding my bike every Sunday. But as emotional stress multiplied 10 fold in October, my workouts stopped. Too tired. Then Baking-palooza 2013 occurred. I bake good cookies. :)
  2. Emotional Health / Let Go and Move On: I've spent a lot of time the last few years trying to force things to work that are more harmful to my psyche than helpful. Why? Because I like being hurt and disappointed, or getting stressed out and pissed off? No more. Life is too short. And it should be about enjoying time with the people in your life that selflessly care about you. I've learned who my true friends are, especially over the last few months, and they are where I will focus my free time in 2013. No looking back.
    • Check: And no further comment...that would just stress me out/tick me off ;)
  3. Happiness For Me / Travel: When meeting with my new investment adviser in November to plan my financial roadmap to retirement, I listed the following as my travel goal -- Actually take my vacation days each year, traveling somewhere domestic and relaxing at least one week per year, with a longer international trip every other year. Since I went to Italy last year, that means that 2013 will include a relaxing domestic trip -- I could visit an island other than the Big Island in Hawaii or head someplace on the mainland with good food and/or spas (like NYC, Santa Fe or New Orleans... or a place closer to home on my "places to visit" list like Carmel or Ojai).
    • Fail: The only place I went this year was to New Mexico for a memorial service. But I’m itching to go somewhere relaxing… soon.... please.
  4. Happiness For Others / Help Good Causes: Once again I will lead a team for "Walk MS" in April to raise funds for the National MS Society. This will be super easy since this year there will be a walk in the San Fernando Valley, about three minutes from my house (aka: where I ride my bike around the actual Lake Balboa). I also want to donate my time to a charitable organization or two. It would be great to find a charity that needs my editorial or home improvement skills so I'm also increasing my knowledge as I give. 
    • Half Check/Half Fail: My Walk MS team was the #2 fundraising team at the San Fernando Valley Walk, raising more than $5000! And I placed #212 in Southern California/Nevada individual fundraising. Whoo-hoo! But that’s all I did this year. However, since this awful disease personally affects my family every day, I will take that as a proud achievement.
  5. Creative Growth / Write More: Keep blogging five to 10 times per month. AND (this is the challenge) write a short story.
    • Half Check/Half Fail: Seven months of the year saw 5+ blog posts. Yay! That short story… yeah, didn’t happen.
  6. Intellectual Growth / Read Books: Recycle my goal to read at least one book per quarter in 2013, but this year, one MUST be a classic novel that's been sitting on my bookshelf too long.
    • Fail: I read Nora Ephron’s “I Feel Bad About My Neck” early in the year, in hopes of being inspired to write and wrote down a bunch of ideas for personal essays. I also started Pride and Prejudice and made it to page 22. Then I went back to work. I did just finish the new Bridget Jones novel I got for Christmas with the other Mr. Darcy in it (sort of) though... probably because I've been feeling very Bridget lately. :p
  7. Culinary Growth / Host a Dinner Party: In addition to the annual events I host for major holidays, I want to throw a dinner party where I can use my fancy drinking glasses and linens and cook an actual meal in my kitchen that is new to my limited cooking repertoire (ie: not appetizers, spaghetti or something grilled).
    • Half Check/Half Fail: Does hosting afternoon tea count? I had to bake scones and brew tea not in bags. And I used my grandparent’s 70-year-old china ;)
  8. General / Try New Things: Not sure how this will specifically manifest over the coming year and I'm also not going to worry about it. I just know I want to be open to new experiences whether that means trying a new food, visiting a new place or learning a new skill.
Year in Review Part 2 -- 2013 month-by-month breakdown of memories:

January:
February:
  • Burke Williams visit #1
  • Lots of lunches and dinners – I was a networking queen this month ;)
  • Poker Peeps Go To Disneyland
March:
April:
  • Saw my pseudo-niece Kiera dance in the Disneyland parade. She was awesome :)
  • Walk MS at the Woodley Park. My team raised more than $5,000 for MS research. Thanks to everyone to sponsored us!
  • Saw ¾ of Bon Jovi. Sad, sad, sad....
May:
  • The 2013 Summer Movie Blockbuster Club kicks off its season with Iron Man 3
  • Started new job full of hopes and big plans
  • Burke Williams visit #2
  • Summer grillin’ season kicks off!
June:
  • The Kings made it to the Western Conference Finals, losing to eventual 2013 Champs Chicago. I was in the co-owner’s suite for the final home game of the season (Thanks Katharine!)
  • Opening night of the Hollywood Bowl with Shawn... and Steven Tyler!
July:
  • Hosted my 4th 4th of July BBQ 
  • Goo Goo Dolls concert at one of the final Universal (I mean Gibson) Amphitheatre shows ever.
  • My friends Daryl and James got hitched at the British Residence. Fancy!
August:
  • My month of Pop Physique 3x/week! I rock(ed)
  • Saw Heart and The Jason Bonham Experience at The Greek Theatre, crossing Heart off my concert bucket list. Qball and I were the youngest people there :)
  • Annual John Williams show at the Bowl, with narration by Julie Andrews!
September:
  • Saw Rick Springfield at The Canyon Club, took video of him performing with surprise guest Dave Grohl, my video of said performance on YouTube gets posted by RS himself (well, his social media manager). I feel like a contributing member of the digital universe again.
  • Back to Pilates after a long, work-induced break. (Note: This lasted about 3 weeks)
October:
  • Hockey starts at its regularly scheduled time
  • Maroon 5 and Kelly Clarkson at The Bowl
  • Pink at Staples Center
  • Katy Perry/Sara Barilles/Elie Goulding at The Bowl
  • My Grandpa Joe passed away
  • My mom had surgery that lasted way too long
  • Work stress. Big hopes and plans begin to fade...
  • Stress, stress, stress
November:
December:
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