Only 24 hours to go until the New Year! (Well, for those of us in California, at least…)
I don’t know about you, but I’ll remember 2012 quite fondly.
It was the year I started doing Pilates and T’ai Chi Ch’uan — one of my new year’s resolutions was to find a form of exercise I love doing, and I found two!
I made new friends in San Diego and visited old ones in Portland and New York (shoutouts to Alex Zafiris, Sherry Parnes, Momsicle, The Daily Frolic, Dr. Mind & Body, all of whom have shared beautiful, thoughtful, and hilarious posts this year).
I returned to school as a full-time student and maintained a GPA of 4.0 while working two part-time jobs.
I got to grips with Adobe CS6 and made digital artwork and websites I am proud of.
I discovered that even my black thumbs can turn green in California.
And I even learned how to make delicious jam without poisoning anyone!
Here’s a round-up of some of my favourite things from 2012 — enjoy!
Favourite Blog Posts
January ∴ Banjo & Lefty ∴ Dogs are from Pluto, Cats are from… ?
February ∴ Chino Farms ∴ A delicious trip to an organic farm in San Diego County.
March ∴ I Talk Funny ∴ So you like my accent? Thank you, I like yours 
April ∴ Recipe for Tortilla Española ∴ Sometimes the mountain must come to Mohammed…
May ∴ Fool Britannia ∴ Sometimes enjoy a little tongue-in-cheek high treason, don’t you?
June ∴ Now, Voyager ∴ A musical tribute to the mind-blowing Carl Sagan.
July ∴ How Does Your Garden Grow? ∴ Little plants all in a row.
August ∴ A Peck of Peppers ∴ What do I do with all these chillies?? (Hint: see September!)
September ∴ Habanero, Peach Basil Jam ∴ The first recipe in a fiery trilogy!
October ∴ Stopping to Smell the Roses ∴ Lessons from Paul Gauguin
November ∴ Soapboax ∴ In which I get quite political! I love freedom of speech 
December ∴ Happy Birthday, Little Sister! ∴ I can’t believe she’s 21…
Bonus Video! ∴ Banjo & Lefty Animation ∴ More Shameless Anthropomorphisation…
Favourite Musicians
Here are some talented singer/songwriters I discovered this year.
Aaron Embry – Raven’s Song
Lianne La Havas – Au Cinema
Laura Mvula – She
I’m pretty happy where I’m at right now. I think my only New Year’s resolution is to keep doing what I’m doing, but do it even better. What are yours?
Happy New Year to you all!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I think you have done a remarkable job in 2012! To make the 4.0 with two jobs and such is amazing! I love reading your posts and look forward to them each time! Happy New Year to your and to yours! In my opinion, I think you are going to do just fine! California is a wonderful place to renew. I miss it. However you asked what my resolutions we made…I have resolved to make some changes in 2013 myself. I am going to invest in a 35mm camera (again) and get back to where I can take better pics! I love doing that. My camera doesn’t do night shots and there is a lot to see under the skies here…The Marfa Lights are on my list for this year, too! I am also going to devote more time to me…
I’m planning a trip in the Spring~! Top Secret! Not telling to many people where I’m off to until I’m on the road!
Thanks, Tina, and happy new year to you too! I hope 2013 brings you everything you hope for.
I love California, always felt very at home here, even as a child. Can’t wait to see your photos — but a film camera? That’s brave! Don’t forget, a road trip is even better with a dog. AROO!!
BTW, Happy New Year!!!