Bright, sunshiny year

This is a little something I captured that I'm cleverly naming "Sunrise over Carbon Beach" or the best place I woke up in 2011. There was something crazy magical happening over that water.

I love the new year, although I always wish it started closer to April, which is about the time I really feel renewed and energized. So I'm looking at the first quarter as more of a warm up to a new year. A bit of a toe-dipper, if you will. With that in mind, I'll share just a couple of goals I have for this 2012. You know I'm big on goals and lists and checking items off, one by one. This year I'm keeping it pretty simple and as I make progress I'll be sure and share with the class.

1. Hike Half Dome. Seriously, I have two gals, possibly three, signed up for the adventure. All are welcome. I'm starting to do some real research and hoping to make the trip in late spring or early summer. Email me if you're interested in a long weekend in Yosemite. P.S. I'm not doing the cables. But I'll happily eat my lunch at the base while anyone else attempts that part.

2. Improve my photography skills and shoot something professionally. I love my camera and taking and editing photos has turned into one of my favorite creative outlets. I recently invested in a proper lense and enrolled in a couple of classes that I hope will push my skills and comfort zone.

3. Share more nature and art with Emerson. Her love of musical theater seems to be sticking and I can't tell you how much this pleases me. I would love nothing more than for that girl to grow into a drama geek. Maybe march with a band, hand paint sets and design lighting, sing and dance to her nutty heart's content. I'm pretty sure she's going to need some creative outlets to help harness all of her, um, drama emotion. She also does really well when left to simply play with found rocks, sticks and leaves. So that trip to Yosemite will surely do some good for her soul, as well.

You know I love to hear about your goals, too. Please let me know about your thoughts on 2012. Are you excited, energized or inspired?

P.S. Did you hear that Pantone's color of the year is Tangerine Tango? And did you know that orange (in every shade) is my all-time favorite color? It's totally my year. I can feel it.