(posted on my web server so that I can include pictures, slideshows, and lots of links). 

Last year's "Best of 2007"

(This is last years New Year collage; Pretty much everything on it manifested- The 2009 collage is at the bottom of this page)

Best Volunteer experience

I'm starting out with my best volunteer experience because I feel strongly that it's important to volunteer and make a difference in one's community.

My best volunteer experience this year, was volunteering to do water safety on the swim course of the Danskin Women's Triathlon which supports Breast Cancer Research and inspires women.

I wore the bunny ears so that my friend Stephani who was in the race could pick me out of all the other kayakers there and know I was there for her. They worked.

In 2009, I'm going to volunteer as a swim angel.

My blog about the experience is posted here.

http://awildcelticrose.blogspot.com/2008/08/wild-day.html

I also volunteered for my 5th year in a row at Wintergrass.

Best Friend (s) 

I need to update this page, but quite a few of them can be found here...  http://www.wildcelticrose.net/lisasplace/friends.htm * if you don't see your picture here, please email me one...

Yes.  I have the best friends in the world.  Out of all my blessings, my friends are the first, last and many in between.  Of course Molly has the “title” because we’ve seen each other through hell and back and will put up with just about anything from and for the other, but that in no way diminishes my other best friends; (too many to name here, and whom I would feel awful if I accidentally left one out) 

Each friend both near and far brings something unique to my life and I am grateful for them all. 

Best Accomplishment (s) 

2009 was a year in which I really challenged myself. I decided to do my first (sprint distance) triathlon. (I ended up doing three) The big one that I had been training for was the US Women's Triathlon.

Here is my blog entry about the Subaru Women's Triathlon

http://awildcelticrose.blogspot.com/2008/09/tri-that-almost-wasnt-or-how-i-rocked.html

and pictures of the tris and training are here

http://www.flickr.com/search/show/with/2833880823/?page=2&q=triathlon&w=21459772%40N08

Since I was getting a road bike, I decided to train to ride the STP. (Seattle to Porltand Bicycle Classic) For those of you not aware, it's 204 miles from Seattle to Porltand (at least via the route we rode) I was sensible enough to choose the two day ride option.

here is my blog entry about the STP

http://awildcelticrose.blogspot.com/2008/07/stp-hot-gritty-saga-and-few-pictures.html

In 2009, I'll be volunteering as a medical rider (might as well use all that paramedic experience)

Best Dramatic Adventure

We had "drama" just outside of our doors here in the Puget Sound region with what has now been dubbed "Snowpocalypse 2008". Snow fell hard (and stuck) for over two weeks. The snow here is very wet and forms ice underneath almost instantly. Our roads are steep, hilly and narrow and we don't have the infasctructure or equipment to adequately deal with it, so a good portion of the region virtually shut down.

Luckily, I was able to work from home and take long walks to get my mail and go to the store. I took lots of pictures which you can find here on a Flickr' slide show.

Best Life Lesson (s)

My life lessons this year were pretty typical... "Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it", "Don't take on rehab projects (people that won't make an effort to help themselves"), "Don't hang on to unhealthy/one sided relationships" and the ever important, "If you believe that good things can happen to you and open yourself up to them, they will."

Best Backpacking Trips (s) 

I took several wonderful trips this season (luckily, it was a late season becasue I was so busy earlier in the summer)

I finally made it up to Camp Muir (the base camp that is at 10,000 feet) on Mt Rainier

Ptarmigan Ridge on Mt Rainier

I went on a pre-Thankgiving climbing trip to Eastern Washington. (I hadn't climbed in over ten years, it was a blast!)

There were also two trips to the coast.

One to our favorite spot, Rialto Beach

And the other, the Ozette Triangle, both in Olympic National Park

Best non-Backpacking Trips (s) 

I traveled to Ucluelet BC (that's in Canada eh?) with my friends Mary D and Harriet to run the Edge to Edge Half Marathon and enjoy hiking in a truly spectacular area.

Here is a slideshow of the trip and race

I also took a trip to Florida for conference at work. Although no one in thier right mind would go to Orlando Florida at Midsummer if it wasn't for work, I made the most of my time there. My friend Kay picked me up one day after the conference and we had a fabulous adventure at Cocoa Beach. I grew up on the Pacific Ocean; this was my first time dipping my toes in the Atlantic.

There is of couse a slideshow of the trip here (including alligators!)

Best New and Continuaing Life Adventures

I managed to run the Tacoma City Half Marathon even though I hadn't been training and had a blast (and got a shiny thing)

, 

I'm still a regular contributor to South Sound Magazine (and yes, I'm still on a high from getting THIS cover story).

I also had some of my photography purchased by McCann International for use on the MasterCard priceless.com website, and have been approached my an international magazine who wants to buy the rights to some photos (unfortunately, no contract has been signed and it has not gone to press yet, so I won't name the magazine just yet)

Best new/old hobby

I also finally had a good Chanterlle hunting year, and learned the joy of gathering and preparing these tasty gourmet treats

A little over four years after fracturing my left shoulder (among other things) in a car accident, thus ending my violin/fiddle career before it even had a chance to flourish (and by carrer, I mean amatur performances and playing for the joy of it) I found a new violin/fiddle and a new teacher.

And the Obligatory Best Sunset (from the Rialto Beach backpacking trip)

Looking forward… 

2009 proves to be another year filled with challenges and joy.

I am looking forward to my new and exciting volunteeer opportunities,work challenges (both the day job and writing/photography), a cross country backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon this spring, and many other adventures. I'm also looking forward to focusing on my important friendships and another relationship that has changed in a very positive way.

Here is the Goals,  Hopes and Dreams for 2009 collage.