Why hello there! It’s New Years Eve, and time for me to take a look back at the past year.

The past couple of years on this day I have tended toward the negative. And, rightly so. There were some crazy-bad things that happened. 2010, though was pretty darn good. I honestly can’t think of a single thing that was bad about it.

• I originally declared 2010 the year of the Banjo, but I ended up learning the Ukulele instead. One of my Summer Reading Performers, Cinda Tilgner, brought hers to the program and I fell in love with it. One thing led to another and I ended up buying one and performing in Cinda’s Uke Orchestra. It’s been lots of fun!
• I was invited to a meditation group in April  and I  haven’t been the same since. In a good way. I’ve written lots about this experience this year, so no need to go into detail. But I’m very glad my friend had the instinct to invite me. I’ve made some fantastic friends through this group and am so happy that they are a part of my life. And I’m so happy to have finally developed a Zazen practice.
• Raf became a Tattoo artist! If someone would have told me ten years ago that my husband would become a tattoo artist I would have told them they were crazy. But it was something that he wanted to do and he did it and I’m proud of him. And now I have my own personal tattoo artist in the house. I’ve always loved tattoos and have wanted to get more of them but I, generally, don’t like being touched by strangers. I hate the dentist, I don’t like getting my hair done, I don’t like doctors, and I especially dislike massages. So now that Raf has his tattoo license I can get tattoos and not feel uncomfortable. So I got a few of ’em this year.
• I had a blast exploring the area. We went on a number of really fun hikes.

My favorite reads this year? I’m so glad you asked!

• I really, really enjoyed the Y.A. book If I stay by Gayle Forman. It was very sad but also very touching and exactly what I needed to read.
• An Interrupted Life: The Diaries, 1941-1943; and Letters from Westerbork by Etty Hillesum was one of the best books I’ve ever read. Very inspiring. If you’ve never read it you should.
• Stay by Allie Larkin. Seriously loved this book. Best summer read ever. It’s got romance and German shepherds. Allie is a friend and let me interview her for her blog tour. Watching her success from this book was, seriously, one of the highlights of my year.
• Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. The Hunger Games books have been my favorite since I first read them and I’ve been anticipating the final book in the trilogy. It did not disappoint.
• Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. So very inspiring. This is the book that got me back into my running practice. And may even start me on a barefoot running practice (more on this in another post).

In short: 2010 was pretty killer.

Be safe tonight and I’ll see you tomorrow.