Best of 2011

This is Part 1 of a 3-Part Post Series I'm going to do for my blog. This post will focus on my best and favorite moments of 2011. The second post will be my worst and least favorite moments of 2011. The final post will be a revisiting of my resolution for 2011 and seeing how well or not well I did.

MY BEST MOMENTS OF 2011

(These are in no particular order. Just as they come to mind.)

1. Joining the Navy.  I never in my wildest dreams imagined that I would be in the military. It had never seemed like a possible thing until just recently. I'm excited for the adventures and experiences that await me on this new chapter in my life. 

2. Transferring stores and becoming a supervisor. At the beginning of 2011 I got promoted and changed to another Deseret Book in Ammon, ID. This has been such a great and positive change in my life! I actually get along with my boss, I love the people I work with (for the most part), and Christmas was a breeze! Would I ever go back to the Temple store? Not in a million years. 

3. Kira. This woman has been such a blessing in my life. She has taught me how to stand up for myself and to follow my dreams. I probably would have been stuck in a life I never wanted if it weren't for her. She inspired me to join the Navy among other things. 

4. Lagoon trip. I went on a Lagoon trip this summer with Mike and Lacey, Brittany, and Kira. We had a blast. Kira and I even rode on the insane ride that shoots you up while you're sitting in this little ball. That is something I never would have done. I'm a lot braver these days. 

5. Year of Change. I think 2011 will always stand in my mind as a year of change. Not like big changes, but I know I've changed and grown a lot just in a short year. Who I was last year is completely different from who I am now.

6. Getting in Shape. I've lost a total of 35 lbs. and I'm in the best shape of my life. I never thought I'd be able to run a 5K and I did that this year with Kira and some mutual friends of ours. I feel like I can conquer the world because I was able to conquer that demon which has been my self-image. I feel comfortable in my own skin now.

7. Mike & Lacey's Wedding.  I was able to attend my friend Mike's wedding in Oakland, CA. It was a beautiful wedding and I was honored to be a part of it as the best man. The trip itself wasn't my favorite, but the wedding part was amazing. It was also the first trip where I've made all the arrangements for myself and flew down all by myself. Sad that I was 28 when I finally did this, but at least it happened, right?

8. Good Books & Good Music. I've read a lot of books and a lot of them have been really good. I can only think of a couple off the top of my head that weren't that great. There has also been a lot of really good music this year. Tori Amos, Lady Gaga, Kelly Clarkson, Nicki Minaj, Chevelle, Adele, and Florence + the Machine have pretty much dominated this year for me.

9. Hannah. This girl is amazing! There are some people you just connect with and it's like your souls rejoice because you've finally reunited with an old friend. That is how I feel with Hannah. We are kindred spirits.

10. Zumba! This has been the year for Zumba for me. I got addicted and now I can't get enough. Such a fun and enjoyable workout. 

That is all for Part 1. Stay Tuned for Part 2 (The Worst of 2011)!

2011

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I cannot believe it is 2011! It seems like I say that every year, but it just seems like every year is going by faster and faster.

Before I go on and make a list of my goals for this year, I want to make a list of my accomplishments in 2010.

• Read 28 books (I will make a post for that next time).
  
• Went to San Diego and Las Vegas with my friend, Mike.
  
• Started attending a new singles branch of awesomeness. This has been one of the greatest changes in my post-graduate life.
  
• Got glasses.
  
• Got a raise at work. Now I make 15 cents an hour instead of 10.
  
• Became a Zumba fanatic which has shown more toning results on my body than any other workout program I have seen out there.
• Reached 50,000 words on my novel.
  
• Started a book club on Facebook. We are on our fifth book already.
  
• Took up the guitar and have learned a few chords.

I am sure there are more accomplishments than that, but I can't think of any. Sad when you have to think real hard to figure out what you accomplished in a year. With that in mind, these are my goals for 2011:

• Read 35 books.
• Get a new job that pays awesomely.
• Move out of my parents' house.
• Get married. (I know, I know...I say it every year. Well, I do but I don't express it apparently. Well, here I am announcing it publicly that this is the year that I, Jacob Taylor, will finally settle down and get hitched. Now to find that girl.)
• Finish my novel (rough draft, revision, revision, revision, edit, send out to literary agents and publishers, revision, edit, work, work, revise more, and hopefully get the dang thing done and published!)
• Learn 5 songs on the guitar.
• Lose 10 more lbs.
  
• Go somewhere I have never been before. Boston would be cool. Possibly finally go on a KB Tour to Europe!
• Speaking of the last one: Get a passport!
• Start writing the sequel to Befall which is probably going to be titled Beleaguer.
• Grow out my hair. This time I am actually going to do it. Last time I got the furthest I have ever gotten but this time I am going to refuse to cut my hair even when I really, really want to.
• Grow a goatee.
• Be wiser with my money.

I may add to the list as the year goes on. I have posted this on here so I can be accountable for the things I have put on here. If you are reading this and you know me personally, I want you to keep me under your thumb (that's a lot of thumbs to be under but oh well) and see how I am doing at this periodically.

Hope you all have a fantastic new year. I have a feeling that 2011 is the year for greatness!

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2010: A Year of Goals

New Year's Resolutions for 2010:

1. Finish second draft of the novel, do rewrites and revisions as needed, and have it ready to be sent to publishers. (I am currently working on setting an actual date for when I want to have this done.)

2. Travel like crazy! I currently have the option to go to either Hawaii or Europe (I will most likely choose Europe) and I am planning on going to several other places within the US.

3. Get a new job. I need to get out of retail and Deseret Book fast because this situation is not good for me right now.

4. Stay in shape, keep working out, lose at least 5 more lbs. I actually want to focus on getting a little more ripped now, possibly bulk up a little but have a nice toned shape.

5. Be unafraid to try new things.

6. Do more service. Random acts of kindness are the best.

7. Pay off my car loan! Yes! It should be all paid for by July but I want to get it paid for earlier than that.

8. Find someone to love, but not rely on that to give me happiness.

9. Do Jacob-Gigi dates like Brittany wanted me to do. I've been slacking on it. Britt always mentioned that I should take Gigi out once a month.

10. Organize my life!

That is all I can think of at this juncture. I will add more as time goes by I'm sure.

Hope this year is one of happiness, blessings, and growth for everyone. Love you all!