For the first time ever, I feel inspired to reflect on the passing year. I don’t usually do this. In fact, I’ve never done it before. But like I’ve said in the past, blogging makes you much more aware of the events that surround you. And this year has definitely been a year to remember.
January
I turned 37. Even closer to 40 than 30. How can that be? I started a goal-setting workshop with 20 wonderful people. We met once a month through September. I am astounded by how much my life has changed in that time. I have always hated setting goals, but this workshop changed my paradigm of goal-setting. Oh, and that reminds me… I’m never one to set a New Year’s resolution, so this January, there was nothing to break.
February
A fabulous week in Snowmass with my dad, Kristy, and Nick.
Venga Venga in Snowmass
March
A surprise trip from Nick for our 5-Year Anniversary. He took me back to The Royal in Playa del Carmen, where we got married in 2006 with 85 of our favorite people there to celebrate with us.
Playa del Carmen
April
Our annual trip to New Orleans for the French Quarter Festival. I don’t recommend going. It’s terrible, and I’m trying to keep it less crowded.
Jackson Square
May
Opened the doors to our new weight loss business. I was able to start slowly as I was still practicing dentistry 3 days a week.
June
Summer’s here… my favorite time of year. A beautiful long weekend in Beaver Creek, Colorado for a lovely wedding.
July
A failed attempt to hike to the top of Devil’s Thumb because there was still so much snow in Winter Park, Colorado on July 4.
Thought this snow covered the trail, but we had lost the trail much earlier in the hike.
After an offer to buy into my dental practice, I had to finally come clean. I announced to my employers that I needed to leave my career. It wasn’t without a “big backlash from the universe” (details later,) but I was able to escape it all for a week in sunny Puerto Rico.
Blue Beach, Vieques, Puerto Rico
August
A return from a wonderful trip only to face the battles that lay ahead regarding my transition out of dentistry. Celebrated Nick’s birthday and his 20th high school reunion. Did I mention I’m closer to 40 than 30? Well, Nick’s even closer than I am.
September
The work battles continued, unfortunately. But I was able to negotiate finishing my time in my dental office working on Thursday afternoons for the next few months.
A great weekend girls getaway to Cape Cod with one of my oldest friends, Kareen.
Harwich, Cape Cod
October
National Geographic Traveler magazine published a photo of mine that they found on my blog.
Fish Tacos at Las Palapas, Playa del Carmen
Things on the job front were sort of settling down, and my life was starting to feel more free. For the first time in years I did not dread, nor was I depressed, but was actually excited about the impending arrival of winter.
My Love Ruby
November
Last day of practicing dentistry and thankful for so many things. Excited about everything, but especially to host a Thanksgiving dinner at my house and add some different menu items to our list of growing traditions.
Mushrooms on a collard green
Wild Mushroom Bundles
Thankful I was not on-call this year, as I often was in the past. It sure was nice to not get an emergency call from a lady who got so drunk that she lost her denture at 8 pm on Thanksgiving day. Yes, that did happen once.
December
New Orleans with some great college friends. Ohh… to feel like I’m in college again… just for a moment!
Good times with Shannon and Robin
My blog went viral for a few weeks thanks to around 50,000 shares on Facebook. I must add that experience to the bucket list just so I can check it off.
Celebrated Hanukkah with one half of the local family followed by a Christmas celebration with the other half.
Annual gingerbread house tradition wth Sky and Syd
Thanks, 2011. I couldn’t have asked for a more abundant year filled with all of the things that I love: fun travel, yummy food, great family and friends, and a courageous transformation. It’s funny how just by noticing both the big and the small things, it makes it all feel so much more full.
Happy New Year! Wishing you all a year of abundance!
Hi,
It can be wonderful to look back on some of things we did during the last year. Great photos, and congrats on the National Geographic photo, well done.
I also wish you all the best for the New Year.
Thanks, mags! It’s a great way to celebrate the good things in our lives. Can’t wait to check out your New Year’s Eve jokes! Happy NY!
wonderful photography, god bless ya and happy new year
Thanks,dena! Same to you!
I enjoyed your post. What a great idea to reflect on your year. Happy 2012
Thanks– I highly recommend doing it yourself! Happy 2012 to you too, Gomez!
I’m sorry you got grief when you left dentistry .. As a dental hygienist I’ve notice over the years that the dental world does not always play well with others . I am finishing my social work degree and people say all the time what about dental hygiene ?? My respone varies but overall if I never had to do it again wouldn’t bother me .. I can’t do hygiene untill I’m old anyway and most …not all dentist kick ya to the curb and pull up a younger one until she is crippled from the high volumes of patient.. Your mental health and happiness is doing what you love.. It’s not like you lose what you learned as a dentist .. I’m proud of your big move and look forward to more entries ..
Thanks, Donna! It’s true that we keep dentistry in our lives even if we aren’t practicing anymore. Are you still practicing? Good for you for finding something that you love. Yes, the whole experience for me was a real eye-opener. To learn that people you know and trust who are in the business of taking care of people have no clue how to walk the talk was a bit shocking. So true… “does not always play well with others”- ha!
You forgot to mention two HUGE events in June…. wtf?
Umm… having my new bffs move 3 blocks away? BTW– you made the list… twice. June and July 4th.
Oh wow! What a wonderful re-call of the year! The surprise gift from your husband was too sweet!!
Thanks! It was the perfect surprise for me! Much better than flowers or diamonds
Wow you were really busy this year. I’m actually hoping to get down to PDC this winter, looks like a great place.
I love PDC. Not sure if you’ll like it as much as Tulum as it is a bit more developed. We love it there anyway! Let me know if you want any tips for the area.
A busy and I am sure a fun year!
Absolutely! I just read your post this morning on how you cooked the New Year’s turkey– unbelievable!!!! Read it on my phone, so didn’t get a chance to comment, but I was impressed!
Love the photos, L! The one of Ruby! The food! I will have to try mushroom bundles!
Thanks, Robin! They are so easy to make, and they look so pretty!
Sounds like a great year to me!
It certainly was!