How I did on 2011 goals

It's almost the new year, so before I set any new resolutions, I'm going to see how I've done this year on my old ones:

Write 30 poems, 5 short stories, and 1 novel

According to what I've posted on my poetry blog, I've only written 10 poems, and 2 of those were originally written when I was 15. I started a few short stories, but haven't finished them, and I attempted to write a novel in NaNoWriMo, but that didn't completely work. Well, can't say I didn't try.

Learn about queries and associating with the publishing industry

Nope, sorry. Too busy this year.

Be part of 1 or 2 writing groups. One online, and perhaps one offline.
Well, I joined an offline writing group that meets on Saturdays at my local library, so that's good.

Attend writing conventions and events
Didn't.

Shake hands with more famous authors than I did last year

Wish I could have.

Meet at least 3 of my Blogger friends.
I'm sad that I didn't do this. ~,~

Maintain To-Read list

It's hard enough to remember to review what I have already read, let alone keep track what I want to read in the future.

Read at least 10 TOTALLY AWESOME books

Oh, sure I did that! I may not have read as much as I did in 2010, but I can always manage to read 10 awesome books... It's hard to decide which books were the best, though, because I've read lots of series this year. So here's what I'd say the best ones were: 1~The Book Thief, 2~Anything by James Patterson, particularly the "Maximum Ride" series, 3~I am the Messenger, 4~Anything by Dan Savage, 5~Remember Me?, 6~The "Absolute Boyfriend" series, 7~ The "Chobits" series, 8~Room, 9~Half Brother, 10~Anything by Alex Sanchez, particularly the "Rainbow Boys" trilogy.

Become I-level player in Cashflow
This didn't work out, because I somehow couldn't log into the game anymore, and anyway, I stopped getting addicted to the game. Good riddance.

Change blog layout every 2 months
Well, I wasn't always diligent about this one. I've got a new setup now, but I had my old one for quite a few months.

See snow
No. ~,~ Hopefully in 2012!!!

Become a money-magnet
I've made some extra money, I suppose.

Avoid movie previews
Haha, this was impossible to keep up.

Finish all 10 Toastmaster Speeches

Yes, thank goodness I did this. ^,^

Make at least 1 person (besides myself) happy every day.

No way I could keep track of whether I kept this goal or not. I'd like to believe I did...

Have yourself a merry little Christmas

God, I love this Christmas song. I posted it last year, I realize, but this one's with lyrics. Sing along!~~~I know I've been off blogging for a long time. December has been such a busy and exciting month. It's the last one we have in 2011, and I'm going to make every day of it count.
First of all, I promised weeks ago that I'd talk about how fun the Harry Potter theme park was. Well... what can I say? It was awesome! Here are just a few pictures to illustrate what a wonderful time we had!


Magically, the sky was clear all day. We walked around "Hogsmeade", saw all the shops, went on all the rides multiple times (HP & the Forbidden Journey was the BEST!), and got a taste of Bertie Botts Beans and butterbeer. Now THAT was certainly an interesting taste. Bitter and fizzy on the tongue at first, like actual beer (except no alchohol), but then a sweet after-taste that makes you want to have a little more of it. The 3 of us shared one cup, which was good, because we couldn't finish it all. :P We bought Adam a wand in honor of his 14th birthday, a nice little souvenir.
~~~
Adam's birthday came and went. Now the winter holidays are upon us! Christmas, Hannukah, with New Year fast approaching...

Guess what, guys? My sister has just set off on a road trip tonight with her boyfriend of a couple of months, Aaron, to hang out with his family for Christmas weekend. Yes, you have read that correctly. My twin, Annette, has a boyfriend! And we are going to be separated by many many miles, for the first time in our 20 years of life, for a few whole days! !_! I know I'll get through it fine, and Christmas will be over before I know it. But I'm seriously going to miss her... I hope she has an awesome time with Aaron... (Sorry I never mentioned him, btw. They are such a great couple, tho.)
~~~
In other news, this is also the anniversary of a special friendship of mine that has lasted for 3 years so far. I don't doubt that it will last many more years to come.

Even though he is busy at his job pretty much every day, and he doesn't blog anymore (so sad), and I don't hear from him all that much, Jacoby Nielsen is still one of my best friends in the world. That will never change. I know that I wouldn't be the same person I am today if I didn't have this guy in my life. For that, I will always love him, no matter where life takes us. ^_^ We have talked a little about seeing each other sometime next year, him visiting me Florida and me going to Utah after. No idea when this visit will take place, or what we will do together, but I KNOW it's going to happen.

You might not get to read this, Jacoby (at least not right away), but I'm doing it anyway... WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's my annual shoutout to you, my friend. ^_~ I hope you know that I miss you lots, and that you'll always have a special place in my heart.

So to Annette, Jacoby, and all you wonderful people out there, have yourself a merry little Chirstmas.

Love from your silly girl, Bettina.