I enjoy journaling. I may not be as dedicated as some, but I’ve been at it since October 2008, and have written over 1000 pages, 5 of which are decent. Word recently started crashing every time I try to edit the document, so I’ve had to create a separate second doc for 2012 and beyond.

I do this for several reasons, but mainly because I can look back at a certain date and remember what I was doing at that point in time. It’s kind of like popping in a DVD of your favorite TV show that’s no longer on the air. All those warm memories come rushing back pretty quickly.

Though, for the situations below, I didn’t really need my journal to shed additional light. They’re all vivid memories that left a definite impact. I tend not to assign meaning to things – I believe that comes intrinsically. For example, I could have tried to make a big deal when the clock struck midnight, signifying New Years last night, but it was just another second on the clock to me. Call me a curmudgeon, but it didn’t mean anything different than midnight the night before. Maybe future New Years will be more important. If it’s meant to be, it will be.

Unfortunately, that means I can’t really control what will be meaningful. And, in conjunction with this, I believe rarity becomes an essential part. Whenever I try to chase meaning, because a similar situation brought meaning in the past, it tends to fail to live up to those expectations.

As I perused the site, I noticed a lot of people writing reflections on the previous year, and it made me want to do the same. So I took some time to go through my journal and picked out these 10 highlights from the year. I apologize that the theme of 2011 reflections has already been overplayed, and that I’m fairly late in posting this since we’re already into the New Year.

BUT IMMA DO IT ANYWAY. Let’s get on to the list!

January 2011

After my first car ever, Cutters, met his untimely end, I acquired a new vehicle, thanks to my loving parents. It’s been great so far, and I really enjoy him, though I have yet to find a nickname that sticks. Someday, we’ll get there, new friend.

February 2011

My new car and I went on our first ever road trip to Vegas to see a taping of Drew Carey’s Improv-a-Ganza. I can’t even explain how relaxing the drive there was, or how much I enjoyed rocking out to Brandon Flowers the entire way. The show was incredible, and I got to see some of my favorite improv performers ever. But in a way, I think I enjoyed the drive even more.

May 2011

Ho boy. This was a big month. Let’s break it down.

First, I graduated college in the top of my business class (not a hard feat, trust me).

Directly after that, I flew off to the UK with one of my best friends from high school. We had crazy fun adventures, and I learned a lot about her and myself. I got to rekindle old friendships with people I had met on previous journeys there. It was refreshing, stressful, and amazing, all at the same time.

After more than a year interning and working part-time, I started full-time at deviantART, and not only that, but in a dual role as $Heidi’s assistant as well as continuing my duties in the Marketing department.

July 2011

I went to Comic-Con with deviantART, which was intensely insane. I’ve never before been in such crowds for such long periods of time. $aunjuli and I were roommates, and even though I was an absolute jerk to her, she, remarkably, is still my friend. 

September 2011

I traveled home for the first time in a long time, and part of this trip was spent kayaking with my Dad, which we had never done before. During our journey, he taught me about the area where I grew up and I learned about his past and childhood.

October 2011

This was a fairly big month as well.

I went with $Heidi and $danlev to NYC for the Dr Pepper Photo Op. I had such an awesome time hanging out with Heidi and Dan, and it was incredible meeting deviants IRL. Once you have that experience, deviantART becomes a little more tangible and I better understood how amazing our community really is, even if just through the few deviants I met.

After the deviantMEET, I headed to Connecticut, where my brother and I had a little retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. We took bike rides and went on hikes through the New England countryside, which is absolutely gorgeous in fall. 

Later in the month, I had the opportunity to be directly involved in the launch of Sta.sh. It was another crazy time, from which I learned a lot.

There are other things I could mention, but I do like keeping a certain level of privacy and mystery. I don’t doubt 2012 will bring its own meaningful experiences, which I look forward to, yet dread. I never know what it’s going to be, and I try to be thankful for the good and the bad. When I think about a new year and new opportunities, I’m reminded of the advice my brother gave me after I graduated high school: Expect the unexpected.