The ABC’s of 2011: A Year In Review

I wanted to make a post looking back on the last year – because 2011 has been an important one for me, with new jobs, new friends, new lifestyles, and all sorts of changes (for the better). So, without further ado — my major highlights, accomplishments, and thrills from the past 365 days, in alphabetical format (because I’m a huge nerd like that!)

Accepted a freelance blogging position with The Toronto Star for the “Speak Your Mind” site during the 2011 Provincial election
Bought a Kindle, which on its own is not that exciting but it’s meant I’ve started reading a TON again; including (almost every) lunch break.
Curbed my spending habits and have been successfully budgeting (and mostly sticking to it) for three months now
Decorated (and baked!) 100 cupcakes and a bride’s cake – my first wedding order!
Edited, scripted, and shot my first corporate marketing video for a client
Forced into getting a new car (hi Ol’ Red!) when mine died while driving on the 401 – which was terrifying, to say the least
Got my butt moving (literally) by joining Booty Camp Fitness – life changing, and I’m still going! I love it.
Have been successfully budgeting (and mostly sticking to it) for three months and counting
Improved my life in a number of ways (might sound like a cop-out, but it’s true!)
Joined an awesome and empowering women’s group in Toronto
Kissed the Blarney Stone! {Feb 27, 2011} – a bucket list item
Launched a new website design (you’re looking at it!)
Made new friends with similar hobbies thanks to meetup.com :)
Navigated my way through Ireland alone – including very, VERY narrowly making my bus to Dublin
Organized and ran a charity event {Dec 10, 2011: Help-Portrait}
Published a tutorial on photojojo.com
Quality time spent with three generations of ladies during the Royal wedding
Revamped my eating habits and feel healthier and better every day
Started a new full-time writing job
Travelled out onto – and saw up close – the ocean for the first time I can remember
Understood why so many people love traveling along – after doing it myself for the first time {Feb. 26-Mar 2: Cork & Dublin, Ireland}
Visited Stonehenge {Feb 24, 2011} – another bucket list item
Whale Watched in Boston {Oct 9, 2011}
eXplored another country (overseas) for the first time {Feb 17-Mar 3: England, Paris, & Ireland} (x is a hard letter, okay? ;)
Yoga’d my way through my first (and second, and third… etc!) Hot Yoga classes. I’ve always wanted to try it, but was nervous (and for no reason) – Hot Yoga is awesome.
Zapped 12 lbs – 8 more to go to reach my goal weight :)

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All in all, 2011 was a good year for me. It started off looking like it might have been otherwise, but in the end – I’d say it was a good one. One of the better years, actually. I have a lot on the go right now and am proud of (and happy to be!) where I am… and am very excited to see what 2012 might hold (you know, besides the end of the world on December 21 ;)

What were your major accomplishments and highlights this year? I’d love to hear them.

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Tagged as: 2011, 2011 accomplishments, 2011 highlights, 2011 in review, abc's of 2011, good things, goodbye 2011, happy, highlights, looking back, new year, personal, positive, Year in Review