We spent our first five nights at Hotel Chillies in the West End on Roatan. I had read great things about it in both guidebooks and online so we booked a private cabin with two beds and a “rustic” but perfectly functional and clean bathroom, located away from the noise of the street in a lush garden. Of course, we spent most of our time hanging out on the porch, so the interior didn’t matter much in the end. The Jackson family runs Chillies, as well Native Sons, the dive shop located on the property. They were very friendly, and their commitment to sustainable tourism and reef conservation was impressive. We especially enjoyed the various pets that ran freely throughout the property and learned their names and stories.

Mama Cat earned her name by having three litters before she was fixed. Mushroom (above, with Jordy), or Mushie, as she was more commonly known, was found as a starving puppy amongst some trash cans. The family took her in and she’s a now loyal guard dog.

It took us no time at all to establish a rhythm to our days on the island. Wake up with the sun and all the animals too (birds singing, roosters crowing, dogs barking), laze about until we were too hungry to continue lazing about, find breakfast or brunch or lunch (depending on the time), complete some sort of significant activity for the day (anything from snorkeling to a private boat tour of the island), seek out dinner, contemplate bedtime, force ourselves to stay awake (usually with a walk) and then pass out at 9:00pm. Yes, 9:00pm. Something about the combination of heat, the 6:00pm sunset and just being so goddamn relaxed all the time meant Jordy and I were ready to hit the hay every night at an hour usually reserved for the elderly. We had a few late nights, but by god, for most of the trip we were a well-rested pair.

Time for the annual year in review survey! 2010 ahoy!

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?

Went to New Orleans, threw a karaoke party, took a ukulele class, went to Whistler, saw an alligator in its natural state (ate some too), went for high tea, turned myself into an unofficial wedding photographer, went to the bayou, moved to Vancouver (!), hiked some real west coast trails, lived in a high rise, got paid to write stuff for the internet.

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

The biggest goal I  achieved was career related. I continued to drink coke, eat out on a regular basis, not exercise and neglect most creative outlets. My 2011 goals remain largely the same as those for 2010. I want to look after myself, look after the people around me and expand creatively (not physically… but maybe… psychically).

More specifically I want to:

-Take more film photos (really inspired by Anja and Jordan and Maya, it’s one thing to see people’s work online but seeing my friends do it is really inspiring!)

-Blog more (I take a lot of photos but a lot of people never get to see them and this is a good platform in which to share them)

-Read more (I kept track of all the books I read in 2010; that was fun but I know I can enjoy more than 33 books in a year!)

-Write (I’ve come to grips with the fact the only thing I like writing is bad fiction but maybe I should finish something so someone else can confirm to me if it’s actually bad or not)

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Brooke and Leslie created Baby Rupert

4. Did anyone close to you die?

I can’t remember so hopefully that means no one close to me died.

5. What countries did you visit?

Just the good ol’ USA (Portland, New Orleans).

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

More cute dresses. A cat. A cute dress with cats on it.

7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory?

Pulling up to our cabin in Lake Fausse Pointe State Park and discovering that, yes, there were in fact gators UNDER THE PORCH.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Getting a job that actually aligns with some of my interests (like backcountry skiing, natch).

9. What was your biggest failure?

Wish I had saved more money, I spent it all on eating out, as usual. However, this year I have decided this isn’t necessarily a “failure”—see below.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Aside from a few nicks and bruises, I remained injury and illness free. I come from hearty stock, apparently.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Canon Digital Rebel 2Ti, no doubt!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Jordan was really supportive of me taking a new job, even though it meant moving to another city. He is really understanding. Thanks, pilau.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

The only person who drove me nuts on a regular basis is no longer in my life and I am stokkkked. I had a few bummer moments with other people but “I’m over it”.

14. Where did most of your money go?

As usual, it went to FOOD and this year I don’t even care. I had soooo many great meals this year at amazing restaurants and I loved every bite. Steak and frites in Victoria, gulf oysters and po’boys in New Orleans,  tapas in Portland, tacos in Vancouver. No regrets!!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Getting da slightly different.

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?

“South of the border, Disco Cruise”.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

i. happier or sadder?

Same level of happiness, with a little confusion mixed in for good measure.

ii. thinner or fatter?

Exactly the same, I think.

iii. richer or poorer?

Poorer… I got downgraded from a DINK household (double income, no kids).

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Creative stuff… playing guitar, drawing, writing, blogging, etc.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Probably interneting. Now that I’ve finished the first season, watching Glee.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

I spent it with Mom, Dad, Jordan, Jeremy, Emily and Pika in Kamloops. I had a really great time this year.

22. Did you fall in love in 2010?

Gawrsh, I’ve been in love for nine years now!

23. How many one-night stands?

None, but I did drink some “Menage a trois” wine with a trio of special friends with platonic yet magical powers.

24. What was your favorite TV program?

Mad Men, True Blood, Top Chef, Gossip Girl, ANTM, Project Runway, Venture Bros, How I Met Your Mother, Vampire Diaries.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Whoever stole my bike.

26. What was the best book you read?

“The Golden Spruce” by John Vaillant, “The Witching Hour” by Anne Rice, “Barney’s Version” by Mordecai Richler.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

ROBYN!!

28. What did you want and get?

A new job.

29. What did you want and not get?

Maybe more travel? International travel? I’m pretty lucky and don’t really lack for anything.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?

True Grit? Cheating, because I can’t remember what else I saw this year.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 27 and I had the best birthday EVER. Jordan and I had a huge karaoke bash and there was a keg and everyone sang and actually fought over who got to sing next and it was amazing. On my actual birthday we had brunch and watched Olympics stuff and we discovered we had mysterious free cable TV and I went to dinner at Brasserie L’ecole with Jordan, Jessica, Jon, Kevin and Blair and then we went to see my friend’s band at the 50/50 and my brother and Stephanie were there and I got hammered and met the Weed Wizard and Kevin and Blair put me in an amazing safety zone.

32.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

A shorter commute time between Vancouver and Victoria.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?

Dresses, tights, vintage-ish and looking goofy.

34. What kept you sane?

I have a lot of good friends who are never afraid to give me a good pep talk.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

I pretty much surrendered my heart and soul to Sufjan Stevens.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

The Gulf oil spill, especially after visiting Louisiana.

37. Who did you miss?

Shannon.

38. Who was the best new person you met?

The TBC girls are pretty amazing (and some of the guys too). I’m thankful for the people I am getting to know better in Vancouver too.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.

Everything is better when it’s da slightly different.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

This was my favourite lyric of the year, from Good Intentions Paving Company by Joanna Newsom:

And I regret, I regret

How I said to you, honey, just open your heart

When I’ve got trouble even opening a honey jar

And that, right there, is where we are