A friend wrote on Facebook today, "Be reflective and notice what you've learned and what you've accomplished this year. Celebrate your progress!" I think that's a good idea.
At first, I feel like I haven't really done very much this year. And then I start looking at some of the things I made notes about through the year. Gosh, I was busy! Here's what I have accomplished in 2011.
- Finally learned to juggle! This is what I am most proud of.
- Unlocked various yoga poses and strengthened my body.
- Attended circus training in Tasmania and was overwhelmingly inspired.
- Fell in love over and over with friends new and old...ah, love.
- Survived a scary earthquake and nuclear disaster.
- Wore a bikini in public and learned it isn't as embarrassing as I thought.
- Learned new communication techniques that make me a happier person and a better wife.
- Hosted out-of-town visitors, including our niece, Helen, and my dearest friends form Chicago.
- Reconnected face-to-face with friends and family. This is the most heart-warming experience of 2011.
- Flexibly changed major life plans several times without much trauma.
- Modelled in a national ad campaign and several other shoots.
- Did a lot of hoop-related activities:
- Developed and taught four new workshops: Creating Original Tricks, Hoop Meditation, Finding Flow, & Z-Axis
- Taught hoop dance in three countries
- Produced the Japan Tricks Showcase, bringing together local hoopers for a charity video
- Performed eight times, including once topless, once in a modern dance ensemble, and once with my sister.
- Hosted 17 free hoop events ranging from 4th Sunday Spin to Hoop Hospital
- Organised a week-long hoop retreat, Guru Guru Camp, on Niijima
- Planned Tokyo's World Hoop Day event, which raised over 50,000 yen
- Encouraged 317 hoopers globally to learn the WHD Dance
- Collaborated with Ayumi to judge the Tokyo leg of Hooping.org's Amazing Hoop Race
- Created a series of Circus Style Drills for Hoop Dancers videos
- Launched Spin Matsuri Hoop Mixes, music for hoopers
- Learned scads of new tricks and choreography
That's a lot more than I thought I did. Thanks, Joe, for encouraging me to reflect on the year.
A year packed with beauty and progress. It doesn't get better than that.
Kristen, Thanks. It's always inspirational to read your end of year entries and get your homemade card.