Top 10

This past year has gone by faster than any year I can remember....

It's been a year full of life experiences that I'm so grateful for.

As I sit here thinking about the past year, the mental images flip through my catalogue, much like one of my favorite movies of the year, Like Crazy.

The things that spring up in my mental flip book of 2011:

1. Traveling. By far, one of the best things I've ever done for myself. Southeast Asia was incredible! The people I met, the experiences I had, the food I ate, the culture I witnessed--it was truly amazing. I'm so proud of myself for being brave and going on my personal adventure. I loved the time in Panama with my Dad and Megan. The beach in Puerto Rico was lovely, and I always love visiting my family in CA as well. Traveling still tops my list of favorite things to do.

2. Buying my Nikon 3100. The best gift I've given myself. I was so hesitant to spend such money on myself and I am so glad I did. I take it with me everywhere and people seem to think I take some good shots...I think so too :).

3. Mottos to live by: Ease up, slow your roll. I think this is true in so many aspects of my life. When I walk to work, I try to look up more often. I try to be easier on myself for my mistakes and faults. I try to ease up on expectations of other people and realize that, most times, everyone is just doing the best they can. 

& Saying "YES!". I tried to say yes to every opportunity that came my way. Yes to spending time with people I adore. Yes to new friendships. Yes to living every day the best I could. It is amazing what happens when you just open yourself up like that. I don't know if my social calendar has ever been so busy...I saw more shows, museums, dance, music & movies than I have in my entire life!

4. My boys. I realize every day how lucky I am that I go to "work" every day and it never feels like "work". I love my kiddos so much. I have my dream job. How many people get to say that?!

5. Friendlies: This year, I've expanded my friend circle larger than ever. In high school, I was voted friendliest. There is this great dorky picture of me in the yearbook holding a big sunflower that I think I had brought to school that day. I like being friendly. It helps me when I travel and I find it's always better to be kind to people you meet. My mom always said to consider myself lucky if I could fill up one hand with good, close friends. Now I realize how right she was. I come back to the realization that I can count on one hand the people that I can depend on no matter what. Although I love all of my friend circles there are few people that I can open up to completely and let them see all the way through me. Those people I can call at midnight, they listen to me through tears, they build me up and bring out the best in me.

6. My neighborhood. Goodness, I could not ask for a better place to live. I think my office mate, Merideth's, serendipitous glimpse at a Craigslist ad for my apartment was her best assist yet. I love my little mouse house of a home--surrounded by Kermit, my favorite photos on the walls, my indoor garden, listening to my fave 2011 album, 21, while baking in my teeny tiny kitchen--I love that it's all mine.  The amazing Immigrant filled with it's cast of characters who brighten my days & nights has been a blessing all year. From celebrating so many important life events (including birthday spank trains) to enjoying the quiet moments of a catch up conversation on the street, that little bar has been a key to my sanity this year and also provided me with such a sense of belonging. Every day I walk down my quaint block, seeing the Christmas lights, I think of how lucky I really am.

7. Family. Family. Family. These are my people, people! My mom and dad continue to be a source of inspiration, comfort and humor. Our family is always a boisterous group that takes turns while reenacting stories, cooking dinner where pterodactyls come out to play, and my dad tells me he can kick some one's ass if I want him to. Watching my brother become a father and my sister a wife has made me realize the huge amount of growth they've had. Delving into our family history has been a really interesting project for them this year. Our Cherokee, Choctaw, Italian, French, Dutch, German (oh, and there's more) heritage seems to bring this exciting little mystery component that my mom and dad love digging through.

8. Ineffable. I always tend to enjoy process more than product. I love working with Deb and Candice and this year was no exception. For me, Deb's work is always very intimate and personal.  I still often think about this year's work in relation to my life. The intimacy between two people. The give and take of relationships. The unspoken ways in which we show love. The dance of communication that is a constant balancing act in relationships. It's always been a cathartic time of year for me when I get to work with Deb and this year was no exception. She is a master of her craft. She is a visionary that always remains true to herself. She is unique and on a quest for authenticity. I respect her so much.

9. Blogging. I began the Summer of Tammi as a personal project to return to caring for myself. I have loved having an outlet to share what's happening in my life. I never know if people actually enjoy reading it and catching up virtually, but I think the important part for me has been that I've loved taking part in it. Creating Happy Tuesdays for my found quotes and being a part of DIYDancer has also been a nice outlet for my baking.  Which leads me finally to...

10. Baking! I still wonder if the idea of the Happy Tuesdays enterprise is still a possibility...perhaps someday. I've considered a Happy Tuesday Treats Truck that twitters its way around NYC. For me, it's really the act of sharing the baked goodies that makes me so happy. I love the unexpected reactions of surprise that people have when I walk down my block with a plate of cookies. It's been a way to connect & bring a small glimmer of happiness into the lives of total strangers and the people I care about. 

It's been a year of break-ups for the best, running in the hurricane, celebrating my mom's 50th, watching friends get engaged and married, my brother and sister graduating, my family expanding, dancing on bars and in cars and on stage, sharing moments that I fondly remember with a smile on my face. I have enjoyed my solo time this year, but I also realize how much I love sharing my life with a special person. Thank goodness I've got a whole life full of you! Thank you for being part of my life and helping me create these memories that I love.

Here's to letting go in 2012 and enjoying the moments as they come.