The year that was 2011…

Well, 2012 is officially here. 2011 was quite a year, if I do say so myself. Set backs, downturns, and sad occurances aside, it was a darn good year. The the first bummer of year came in the spring, and it was a doozy. BUT, through it, I learned a great deal about myself. I learned things so pivotal and important about who I am and how I respond in certain situations (good and bad), that I can only be grateful for the experience. I’ll definitely never be the same again now that my eyes have been opened. I worked my butt off in 2011, which I don't regret, but I probably should have taken a few more days off. And I also had a lot of FUN in 2011.

Here’s a look back at the things (and people) that made the year memorable:

I saw Prince in concert. Three times. I was on the floor for two of those shows. Purple Rain, indeed…And Sheila E. TORE IT UP. Chaka Khan was at the first one I went to. What a winning trio. #BestEver

I went to SEVEN other concerts: Florence + The Machine, Avicii, Kylie Minoque, Sade w/John Legend, Ray La Montagne w/Brandi Carlile, The Clinton Foundation Concert (Juanes, Bono + The Edge, Lady Gaga, Usher), and then closed the year out with Feist. Musical brilliance all year long.

(Sade, sexiest show of the year hands down. Love when she breaks it down about 3 mins in…)

(The crazy chick who jumped on stage needs to be removed from my town, post haste. And so do people who can't clap on beat)

(I flipped for this amazing rendition of Mushaboom)

(My favorite song off her new album. This show was just so…raw. I loved it.)

(Not going to talk about his unbelievable sexiness factor. Not gonna do it.)

I got the opportunity to travel: San Francisco to see old friends and new, Palm Springs to chill under the desert sky in a hot hub, San Diego for BlogHer where I got to meet Karen Waldron and Jess Weiner in person, and Cancun for a little R&R with my Down South family. Went parasailing!! I also went to Vegas twice, which confirmed what I already knew – that Vegas isn’t for me in terms of the partying. But the food rocks!

Cancun

I ate a burger that had pastrami AND bacon on it. It was good. Don’t hate. Speaking of bacon, I ate a lot of delicious bacon, courtesy of Whole Foods. Who knew?!? I also had a bacon cupcake. Surprisingly NOT good.

I produced my first one-day conference, At the Helm: Women in Biz 2011

I climbed the Culver City Stairs.

It was a long way up

Brought back my dinner parties. I cooked and ate two vegetables that I’ve never even tried before: Brussels sprouts and butternut squash.

I went on my first camping trip. I also kayaked for the first time. Boy were my arms tired!

The great outdoors..

I spoke at the West Hollywood Women’s Leadership Conference where my co-host and I had one of the highest rated workshops of the conference! (!!!)

I attended the Virtual Sx conference and wasn’t afraid to tweet about it.

I celebrated my birthday at Benihana. That was fun!

I had an Awesome People Party. There was a lot of snake petting going on, and not by me. And no, I’m not joking.

The Black Version has revived my faith in live local comedy shows. Word.

I drank more water than I ever have in my entire life (October – December anyway). Unless we’re talking mineral water. I drank that stuff like a fiend.

Coordinated the largest tech events in Los Angeles.

Big crowd…

I think I ate my body weight in grilled zucchini.

Incredibly good.

I got my hair braided for the first time since 2004. Wake up and walk out the door kind of hair. Just how I like it…

I ate my first turkey dog AND I put sweet relish on it (I am not a condiment person). It wasn’t half bad. So I ate another…

Played with the cutest babies around. WIN!

Had the best ribs I have ever had in my entire life.

I learned to shoot a bow and arrow (poorly).

Ate eight (ha!) latkes on Hanukkah. This might make it my new favorite holiday. Sorry, Flag Day.

Chilled in the VIP Lounge at the House of Blues.

Rocked out this new curly ‘do, officially making it my first dramatic hair experiment. I think it suits me, what do you think?

I like it!

Oh, and I walked across L.A., from Downtown to Santa Monica, without stopping. All glorious 19.5 miles. Couldn’t walk the next day. Minor details…

The long and winding road… Ok, not so winding

Made it to the coast by sunset

I’m excited for 2012. Today marks a brand new week in a brand new year. Double fresh start! Here are some of the things I have planned for the coming year:

• Improve my photography skills
• Take a dance class or two
• Read A LOT more books
• Have an adventure (I don’t know what it is yet)
• Try new things (my goal is 52. More on that later)
• Have more dinner parties
• Finish my family tree project
• Go on a retreat/take a personal sabbatical
• Get rid of HALF of my possessions
• Wear dresses more often
• Launch my semi-secret new project.
• Start making sweet potato pies again

Thanks to each and every person who helped make 2011 a great year. Here’s to more goodness in 2012!

– Alaia