on the list

as we approach the finish line of yet another year, the lists are surfacing: countdowns, top 10s, best (and worst) of, most [insert catchy adjective here] something, anything, to sum up 2011.

i've always believed that moments, big or small, are duly important.. that the bigger ones shouldn't outweigh the in-betweenies, that they should be cherished and treasured alike.  so it's a bit uncharacteristic of me to jump on the bandwagon and come up with a list of my own... but in the spirit of the holidays, i thought, what would be on my list, if i had one?

so here it is, folks: glo's 5 most memorable moments in 2011

(why 5?  because if i didn't narrow them down i would end up picking them all.  and i just want to note that although i'm using numbers here, they are merely in consecutive order since it's impossible for me to rank the ones i've picked when they're all equally memorable!)

1) my 30th birthday
despite my dread for this milestone birthday, hubbie managed not only to surprise me once with lunch at my favorite restaurant, but twice, with a house full of family and friends.  and to top that all off, he whisked me off to mexico the very next day for a week of sun and surf.  so it turned out to be the best birthday EVER.  am i the luckiest girl in the world or what?

2) easter in the outer banks
this was my favorite tripod trip to date.  a house to ourselves, with the beach as our backyard.. riding our bikes to our dock to watch the sunsets.. having fun in the kitchen (eggs benedict!) and family room (true blood marathons).. what more could we ask for?  i never felt more relaxed and happy to spend some quality time with 2 of my absolute favorite girls.

3) couch-to-5K training
for those that may not know, i ran track from middle through high school.  even though i practiced occasionally with the distance runners, i was a sprinter at heart.  so when my husband approached me with his goal to run a 5K, i was hesitant.  would my legs ever carry me that far?  it took me all summer and 2 back injuries to find out my answer: a resounding yes.

4) an old friend's wedding

ah, the power of facebook to reunite old friends.  a year ago i wouldn't have thought it was possible: first, that i'd find an old best friend; second, that she'd graciously invite me to her wedding; and third, that i would actually attend.  it was a reunion 15 years in the making, surreal and sobering all at once.

5) meeting an author

i haven't met many "famous" people in my life.  there was a brief encounter in college with flava flav on south street, being trailed by carrot top in vegas, instances with an iron chef (without even knowing it) and the city mayor during restaurant weeks.  but meeting one of my favorite writers was by far the best.  hearing her journey depicted through her own words was incredibly inspiring.  i was starstruck!

there were so many other moments that closely followed this list: my sister's wedding, the youngest's graduation, holidays, mini-vacations... but these were the ones that stood out to me, that made my 2011 a year of reflection and renewal.