This process of reflection has made me realize that this year was kind of a mellow one, and it has made me pause about what I would like to have as goals for 2010.  However, that doesn’t mean the year should go by  un-noticed.  Here are a few more links form Best of 209 Challenge.

Q: December 8 Moment of peace. An hour or a day or a week of solitude. What was the quality of your breath? The state of your mind? How did you get there?

A: Luckily moments of peace seem truly plentiful for me right now.  Honestly, for the first time in my life,  I feel a lot of peace and I find myself in awe about it  My home life is just about perfect.  Yes, we need a bigger space to make way for a creative sunami, but waking up in the morning with a man I am crazy about and two warm cuddly cats is about as good as it gets.

Running a close second:  Listening to the Indigo Girls sing on a cruise ship in February.  Sun on my face.  Cocktail in hand, and feeling so proud to be traveling. “How long until my soul gets it right. . .”

Q: December 9 Challenge. Something that really made you grow this year. That made you go to your edge and then some. What made it the best challenge of the year for you?

A: For the second time, I participated in the Danskin Triathlon this August.  That is all well and good, but here’s the challenge: I had to participate in the race when I had not done a good job training all summer on my own.  I was inconsistent, didn’t challenge my workouts, and found it difficult to connect with new friends on my Tri team.  For most people, that wouldn’t be that big of deal, but for a perfectionist learning to continue to do something even when they can’t do it perfectly was a true trial of the ego.  Here’s the good news: I actually had fun during the race, and I beat my goal time by almost 30 minutes.  Lesson learned.

Q: December 10 Album of the year. What’s rocking your world?

A: Brandi Carlile’s – Give Up The Ghost and The Paper Raincoats – The Paper Raincoats

Q: December 11 The best place. A coffee shop? A pub? A retreat center? A cubicle? A nook?

A: Brouwers happy hour, road trips in our new car, and sitting across the table from Ken when we are out to dinner (two favs: by candlelight at OddFellows Cafe, Carmelitas – veggie food to die for).

Q: December 12 New food. You’re now in love with Lebanese food and you didn’t even know what it was in January of this year.

A: I’ve learned to like olives – kalamata only.  Also, I learned a lot about wine this year, and loved every swirl of it.  Finally thanks to Dave – we discovered the best veggie place in Seattle – Georgetown Liquor Company.

*** Defintely check out Gwen’s summary of all the blogger doing the 2009 Blog challenge. They are really fun to read!