11 in '11 Linky Party

I'm linking up with a bunch of my favorite bloggers (some of whom I often blog stalk) and Hadar and Kristen, for their 11 in '11 Linky Party!

This is a fun little way to re-cap 2011 as it is obligatory and necessary in this blogging realm.  I like doing the cliche lists of things I liked, but this is a fun way to read about a lot of people's favorites and such from 2011. 

Here we go: My 11 in '11

11. Favorite movie you watched:

Defintely "The Help."  This was the best movie I've seen in a really long time! Loved the book, loved the movie, loved the story, loved it all!

 

10. Favorite TV series:

Hmmm...I think I would have to say "Pretty Little Liars."  I'm a sucker for cheesy ABC family type stuff. 

This one has been my favorite since earlier in 2011. 

My most recent 2011 favorite is probably "Pan Am" or "Parenthood"

9. Favorite restaurant:

Tricky...I like lots of little local places including Sawadee Thai Restaurant, The Blue Plate Diner, and The Communal. 

8. Favorite new thing you tried:

Collaging!  I have always loved art but I never found an area of art I was very talented in.  Collaging has been a new experience for me but I really love it!  Thanks to Melody at Brave Girls Club, I found a talent and passion in collaging from my heart.

7. Favorite gift you got:

I've been loving this great hat my roommate gave me, and I am definitely a fan ofthe money I've been able to put toward my Cambodia/Thailand trip!  Plus, I got these fabulous pecans from my New Mexico best friend and they are divine!!!

6. Favorite thing you pinned: 

I've only been on pinterest for a little while and I am not a huge pinning addict, but I do enjoy the neat ideas I've seen.  I think I will say this is my favorite since it and others like it brought me a new business venture with dear friends. 

5. Favorite blog post:

Probably this one.  It is hard to pick, but only because each post reminds me of the things I was feeling or thinking at a particular time in the year.  I like looking back and seeing where I was, where I am now, how I've changed, how life has worked out. 

4. Best accomplishment:

Professionally: Finishing my Reading Endorsement graduate coursework. 

Personally: Learning to run and love it.

3. Favorite picture: 

Ooooh...I obviously don't do "favorites" very well because I always have so many favorites!  Here are my top 3 favorite pictures from this year:

I love this one because it is my family after 3 years of not seeing each other.  3 years is a long time and in June of 2011 we all reunited and took a few family shots.  It was nice being home with all my sisters and my parents again.  It was great to see my niece and nephew and brother-in-law.  I love when I get to be with my family!

I love this one because it represents a lot of things.  I got to go to Mexico and use my Spanish after many years of it laying dormant.  This was my only international trip in 2011! I got to see a wonderful old friend!  I got to spend some time away for Spring Break, when time away was desperately needed. 

I love this one because it reminds me of the amazing and good people I always have around me.  Though this picture doesn't have all my best friends in it, it represents so many of them.  After all these years, we still get together to spend time in the activities we love most.  We reconvene at the Eastern Idaho State Fair to get our huge cotton candy sticks and relive our glory days together.  I love everything about that.

2. Favorite memory:
There are so many memories in a year but I think my favorites would include my trip to Mexico and my trip home to Kentucky.

1. Goals for 2012:
Professionally: Find and apply for a graduate program to pursue.  Grow as a teacher.
Personally: Learn more about collaging.  Travel more.  Visit old friends.  Relearn my languages. 
Spiritually: Read scriptures and pray every day.  Develop more charity. Trust the Lord more.