Sticking along the family theme, this year it was rebuilding lost connections.

Describe a defining moment or series of events that has affected your life this year.

Last year, it was during my adventure of 100s. This year it was during my adventure in a foreign, unknown place.

What did you eat this year that you will never forget? What went into your mouth & touched your soul?

Sift through all the photos of you from the past year. Choose one that best captures you; either who you are, or who you strive to be. Find the shot of you that is worth a thousand words. Share the image, who shot it, where, and what it best reveals about you.

“Let me tell you something,” she started and she said something that suddenly clarified everything. Last year, it was an action of committment and this year, it was a moment of clarity, sincere belief and friendship

What was the best moment that could serve as proof that everything is going to be alright? And how will you incorporate that discovery into the year ahead?

The following day, I was planning to do a century bike ride so I had invited Joe and his girlfriend out to dinner. Pasta dinner to be exact at Valencia Pizza and Pasta. Earlier in the day, I had been moping about my demise, my agony, what I perceived as self-destruction. I needed comfort from my best friends and I sought Joe.

As our pasta arrived in the restaurant, we chatted about innocuous subjects—the awkwardly 90s-like patrons around us, how I was expected to make balsamic dressing by myself with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, their plans over the holidays, the funny comic Carolyn drew posted on Facebook and the incredibly delicious garlic bread.

And then I described my dilemmas. I drew a picture in the air, waving my hands. I imitated the past conversations—the words said and the words forgotten. I could fear the tear inside me, the stabbing wound…as I continued lamenting.

Joe comforted me with his funny comments—his hilarity that I always appreciated in the midst of disaster.

But then Carolyn stopped Joe. She gave me a long stare across the table. I always had difficulty in connecting with her, always trying my best to connect with my close friend’s girlfriend. “Let me tell you something,” she started. “This is always consistently true: 99% of men are stupid.”

Joe laughed, “I don’t think that I am the 1%.”

I paused for a second, contemplating…swirling the spaghetti around the plain tomato sauce and bits of meatballs.

“Why yes,” I said. “You are so completely correct.”

More trips in 2010, less in 2011, but more in 2012.

How did you travel in 2011? How and/or where would you like to travel next year?

In 2011:

In 2012:

It will be most certainly be Las Vegas (for CES), Dublin, London, Berlin, New York City.

But will there be the ride across Idaho, a ride in France, wedding in Columbus, Vancouver, Toronto? Who knows….

Last year, I wrote of clear idealism. This year, probably moving on.

Future Self. Imagine yourself five years from now. What advice would you give your current self for the year ahead? (Bonus: Write a note to yourself 10 years ago. What would you tell your younger self?)

—

Dear Jenn of 2016,

Keep moving. As you and I both know, our biggest regrets are when we did nothing. Fear is seizes us too easily and causes us to fall in stagnation. Express yourself and your needs…and it will be ok.

Let others take responsibility for their own actions and emotions. If they disappoint you, that’s really their problem. If you have made your boundaries clear, then they know already and then you can decide from there.

Be wary of those who don’t know how to communicate clearly. Mixed messages are a waste of time.

Most importantly, never trust anybody who does not love music.

Jenn

—

Dear Jenn of 2001,

That two boys whose names start with Al- were not worth it. You have higher standards than them.

Also, remember to write a lot. You have so much unharnessed creative potential that you don’t know that you have.

Jenn

I can set my own boundaries without teetering into the deep end.

What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward?

Last year’s lesson was simple. But this year’s lesson was a hard one to learn.

They say that burning bridges is like enforcing that all wars behind you can no longer be fought. That it guarantees that only wars in front of you will be fought.

What is a best friend, after all? Last year, it was about annoying friends but this year it’s about the concept of a BFF.

Friendship. How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst?

I often go through intense periods where I meet someone new—she or he becomes my new best friend. Perhaps for a week, maybe a month, then the intensity dies whether by circumstance, lack of energy, or other.

Then there are the few. Where we make an impression on each other. That for a few moments, we feel the click. You really do understand me! And then there are the moments of “ecstasy” where we are smiling, laughter, pure connection.

This year, I was surprised by someone. I rarely ever consider someone a BFF, because I don’t trust that anybody can consider me one—whether it’s an inferiority complex or my own high standards.

In middle school, a friend…gave me the BFF heart necklaces for my birthday. We called each other best friends, but were we? It was awkward because she gave me both—not taking one and leaving me to take the other. Perhaps I was supposed to offer one half to her, but I didn’t feel that strongly. We competed with each other throughout high school and eventually went our separate ways after graduation.

But this year in 2011, I had someone call me his BFF. Perhaps shyly…in nervousness that it wasn’t mutual. I was hesitant at first never trusting the whole idea of BFF. But I opened up, because I did need close friends. I needed someone to trust me openly, selflessly. And it felt good.

Last years’s 5 minutes.

Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2011 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2011.