2006 Reflections

A few tidbits about the last 'year in the life of Shanna' ... Enjoy!

What did you do in 2006 that you’ve never done before?
Dyed my hair darker (thanks Jen)!

Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions and will you make more for next year?
I kept some of them, and of course I am making them for next year - thanks to my 4 hour flight the other day, they are already in my journal :)

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, lots of them. In fact, four old roommates in one month!

Did anyone close to you die?
My favorite high school English teacher who lives a block away from my parents.

What countries did you visit?
Italy, Malta, Canada, Mexico

What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
hmmm ... why state the obvious? On a more serious note - I would like to become more of a morning person in 2007.

What date from 2006 will remain etched in your memory and why?
February 4 - and those of you who know me well will know why!

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Proving to myself that I can actually get up and go to the gym when my alarm goes off. Most days anyway ;)

What was your biggest failure?
Not getting married - ha ha, that's what my parents think anyway!

Did you suffer illness or injury?
I pulled a muscle in my leg from running, but nothing serious.

What was the best thing you bought?
My ipod.

Where did most of your money go?
Travelling, shopping, saving.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Going to Europe for 10 days and also going to 2 baseball stadiums in one day (Cleveland and Pittsburgh).

Happier or sadder?
Happier, of course!

Thinner or fatter?
Thinner, finally! :)

Richer or poorer?
Richer (a little).

What do you wish you’d done more of?
Playing my piano.

What do you wish you’d done less of?
Waiting in lines at the airport.

How did you spend Christmas?
On the beach in Mazatlan.

Did you fall in love in 2006?
Does gelato count? :) because that's the only thing that I truly fell in love with this year ... the rest was just a whole lot of liking (and learning).

What was your favorite TV show?
The Office and LOST

What was the best book you read?
Harry Potter book 5 - so I'm a little behind the times, oh well!

What was your greatest musical discovery of 2006?
Snow Patrol.

What did you want and not get?
GPS for my car (soon to change)!

What did you do on your birthday?
I was in UT ... I went to Conference with Nicole, hung out with the fam, went shopping with Matt, and of course hit up Cafe Rio :) My family then shafted me and ate my birthday cake and ice cream without me the next day...

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
Well considering I accidentally nominated myself for TLC's "What Not to Wear" (last year) and they did not choose me ... I'd say I'm ok (though I did make my television debut in their on-location shoot in DC -which has aired many times this year - see the picture). On a more serious note ... Anything Banana Republic, Ann Taylor Loft, J.Crew, H&M, and anywhere else I can find a good deal (its always cuter if you buy it on sale)! Argyle is my favorite pattern/print of the year (and not just for socks, which is where it all started). At the gym, I'm kind of an Adidas snob.

What kept you sane?
Working out!

Who did you miss?
Most of the time I don't really miss anyone, but on Thanksgiving I missed my family. Thank goodness for cell phones and email.

Who was the best new person you met?
I don't want to name names for fear of offending someone else...but there are a few choice people that I met this year that I will be forever grateful for. You know who you are.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006.
No risk, no return ... ok I know, I am a financial planner, so I should know this. But I'm not talking money here. If you really want something (no matter what is it in what realm of life), you have to be willing to risk putting yourself totally on the line, which is hard, because that means you are 100% completely vulnerable. But, in the end, success or failure aside, we become better people through those defining learning experiences.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Livin' La Vida Loca!

Christmas in Mazatlan

Feliz Navidad!

My family decided to spend Christmas away from home this year, since its been almost 4 years since we've had a family vacation, and who knows how much longer it will be before another one, since Josh will turn 19 and go on a mission in 2007 (aahh - how is he old enough to go on a mission when I am still 22?!?) Since we all had time off of work and school, and much to the chagrin of mom & dad, none of us are married ... we spent 4.5 fabulous days in Mazatlan, Mexico.

Here's the Top 10 Highlights of the trip ...

10 - Discovering Mexican landmarks - Senor Frogs (the equivlant to 'Mickey Mouse', Sam's Club (pronounced 'cloob'), the Discoteca, the tequila factories, and anywhere that has an open bar!!

9 - Learning how to 'just say NO' to the timeshare salespeople, who are everywhere. I'm really sorry but, I just don't want to tour your resort and walk among the flamingos today...

8 - Freezing through Church (the Mexicans are very excited about their air conditioning!) not understanding anything other than singing "Noche De Luz."

7 - Having the tour driver forgetting to put the vehicle in park ... um, yeah, that was about the most exciting part of the 'City Tour.'

6 - Learning just how many minutes on a little fishing boat it takes to make me seasick ... not very many, unfortunately...

5 - Watching the beautiful sunsets on the beach.

4 - Going running on the beach on Christmas morning.

3 - Fresh chips and salsa, need I say more?

2 - Late night laughing ... well, not just late night, more like around the clock laughing.

1 - 'Hola amigos, you wanna buy my junk?' (ok they didn't really say that but they might as well have)!

If that doesn't convince you, then how about a gorgeous sunny, 75 degree Christmas day? It couldn't have been better!