Reverb #11 (Day 1: Fresh)

This year the folks that brought you Reverb are no longer doing it on their own. They have asked bloggers to continue the tradition by doing their own Reverb.

Here's some examples of other Reverbs. It started today, December 1 and will go every day in December.

http://aimeepalooza.blogspot.com/2011/12/reverb-11.html
http://www.ultratrailgoddess.com/2011/11/reverb-11-is-on.html
http://www.rebelhomeschool.com/2011/12/reverb-11-day-one-turning-point.html

Some days you might have your own thoughts to add or your own response to the Reverb. I'd love to hear from you. And...we're off:

Reverb 11: Day 1, Fresh

In 2011 what was it in your life that seemed fresh and new? Was it picking up an old hobby or talent? Maybe it was taking a class in a topic that interested you. Perhaps a new job, or a new family member born to your family. For me I started cross country skiing again in 2011. As many of you in New England remember we had quite the winter.

There were weeks and weeks on end where my work closed down 1 day that week due to snow. I made the most of it. I had a simple New Year's Resolution for 2012: to ski. My parents made this goal possible. They got me new skis for Christmas and new boots for my birthday. I fell in love with skiing at Broadmoor in South Natick, MA. The combination of woods, fields, and quiet trails were wonderful.

In 2011 my goal was also to get back to my 2008 weight. This took 9 months of hard work but I was able to do it (and yes, there's an app for that--that's what worked for me). I'd like to think that my FRESH approach to a New Year's resolution is what helped. I picked up an old sport--something I had not done in years.

What was FRESH in your 2011? I'd love to hear from you.

#reverb10: Creative Prompt for February

One month into 2011, what question(s) are you living? Are there any prompts/questions that arose during #reverb10 that are still resonating in your life? Are you living new questions?

 This is a strangely phrased Reverb compared to the other ones. I guess it's asking if I'm living with questions 1 month into 2011...

The only questions I have are how to continue to balance work, volunteer work, photo club (one thing I'd like to do more of this year), and making sure the rental is successful during its first year. The snowdays each week have made it tougher than normal to stay on track. I've LOVED each and every snow day...but falling out of the routine is tough.

One promise I made during the original Reverb10 exercise was to ski and get out there into winter. I'm pleased to report I've done that (for a while there I was skiing every weekend). :)

 

Summary of the Reverb10 Excercise

Although I did not participate in every single Reverb10 post I really enjoyed the process. I was e-mailed a Reverb each day and many of them I actually posted on.

Here's two of them:

Dec 22
Prompt: Travel. How did you travel in 2010? How and/or where would you like to travel next year?

During 2010 there was some stand-out travel. We went on a budget-friendly vacation and camped in Canada for 10 days (ok, one night at an Inn when we decided we needed a shower without quarters to feed in). It was our first time going to Canada from the Maine house and it turned out there's a lovely little seaside town (St. Andrews by-the-sea) just 3 hours, 15 minutes away including border crossings. I've never camped on the beach before and that was pretty amazing. Still have red sand from PEI in various hiking boots I think.

• Work trips: lots of work trips took me back to places I have not been in a while (Philly, NYC). I also got to eat at some pretty fabulous restaurants (shout out to Gordon Ramsey at The London).

• Florida: well we were hoping to see the shuttle launch and spent 2x what we were planning on after 3 flight changes and extra hotel nights. This trip could have been better (both T and I really could not take a vacation that was 2x longer than planned). Kinda funny to go to Walmart and buy clothes because you find yourself in Florida a few extra days. Highlights of this trip including going to a beach of Tyler's childhood and looking for shark's teeth, going to an old school tiki bar (on a dock where the food is cooked in a truck), and seeing 6 different family members in 1 day (including the grandparents in assisted living). Oh and the Villa for $60/night (thank you Kayak.com) was pretty incredible. :)

• Next year: back to Iceland! We have not been since 2007. Must go. The pull is too strong to ignore. (it gets into your soul if you've ever been).

• California in March for work (get to see an old family friend too). LA. :)

We'll see where else we end up. Of course there will be lots of time in Maine with the rental to manage.

Dec 20
Prompt: Beyond avoidance. What should you have done this year but didn't because you were too scared, worried, unsure, busy or otherwise deterred from doing? (Bonus: Will you do it?)
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Photography! Other than my AMAZING Canada trip I really did not take any memorable photos this year and I did not take part in a single photo shoot with my photo club.

I used my distraction and lack of creative juices as an excuse.

Starting with the holiday party on the 30th I'm getting back into the mix.

That along with x-country skiing are my two resolutions for 2011.