
Last year, I wrote a list of 77 Things I Did in 2010. Every time I read through it, I feel amazed at all we were able to accomplish in that short year. Compared to 2010, 2011 seems less exciting and even less productive, but it’s been richer in other ways. For example, this has been a year full of new and wonderful friendships, and we’ve spent more time with friends than ever before. We also had a new baby who loves to smile, and we’ve been enjoying every moment with her thoroughly. We also moved half-way around the world from Costa Rica and are now exploring Asia. All of these things and others have kept us busy, and I haven’t been as motivated as I expected for creative pursuits like finishing my book or writing new music. But the year has definitely been rewarding and I have no regrets.
Here’s a list of some of the highlights of 2011 for us, in no particular order.
- Had a new healthy baby girl, Aysia, who was born at home in our bath tub in Costa Rica.
- Enjoyed visits from my mom, sister’s family, Jen’s parents, and her uncle and cousin.
- Watched a guy kiss a king cobra on the mouth, then put the snake’s head in his mouth.
- Moved from Grecia, Costa Rica to Escazu, Costa Rica, to Penang, Malaysia.
- Enjoyed a fun week in Kauai, Hawaii with my mom, sister, niece, aunt & uncle, cousins, and more.
- Got robbed in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica. Lost 2 Macbook Pros, 3 iPads, camera, binoculars, backpacks, and more. Got one computer back thanks to PreyProject.com.
- Threw a party in Utah and enjoyed visiting with dozens of family and friends on our way to Malaysia.
- Drove my car (99 Rav4) through several rivers in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, and almost got stuck.
- Enrolled the kids in art classes, Chinese class, community choir, day camps, and other fun activities.
- Donated Emily’s birthday and our Christmas to charity (Emily’s idea).
- Went to a weekly playgroup in Escazu and made many friends.
- Played with monkeys at a rescue center who crawled all over us.
- Tim Ferriss, author of the 4-Hour Workweek, wrote about me on his blog.
- Watched how the indigenous Bribri indians in Costa Rica made chocolate, then we ate some.
- Got chased and almost attacked by monkeys in national parks in both Costa Rica and Malaysia.
- Bought my first real estate investment property. Thanks Shaun!
- Took family yoga and horseback riding classes in Costa Rica.
- Enjoyed soaking in several hot springs around Costa Rica, always with friends.
- Lived for 8 months in this beautiful and artsy house in Escazu, Costa Rica.
- My eight year old daughter learned to love reading, and has become very fast at it.
- Toured several organic farms and learned about the farming business.
- Saw two opossum mating noisily on our deck one night.
- Spent 6 days without Internet in a Costa Rican rainforest with our friends, the Kings.
- Physically left the Mormon church. (We left emotionally/mentally in July, 2010, but continued attending until March 2011.)
- Ate delicious Indian food (roti) for breakfast almost every morning in Penang, Malaysia and usually paid less than $6 to feed our whole family.
- Changed my blog title from Fulness of Life to Pearce on Earth and changed the design.
- Went to a fish spa and got our feet nibbled on by doctor fish.
- Got used to driving on the left hand side of the road.
- Read several interesting books on my iPad and learned a lot from them.
- Visited Kek Lok Si temple, the largest Buddhist temple complex in Southeast Asia.
- Saw the most beautiful orchids at the Orchid Festival in Penang Botanic Gardens.
- Ate the most delicious, unique, and cheapest food we’ve ever had in our lives in Penang, Malaysia.
- Watched the dragon boat races at a dam in Penang.
- Went to a jazz festival evening concert at a tropical spice garden in Penang.
- Continued to grow my online businesses working less than 5 hours per week on average.
- Hung out with friends at least 2-3 times every week.
- Explored a huge 7-story shopping mall in Penang.
- All my kids (except the baby) now know how to ride a bike.
- Played Mario Kart wii enough that I got bored of it, but not enough to beat my kids. (It came with our Penang house, and they played it a lot.)
- Went to a Chinese medicine man for a very strange herbal massage treatment.
- Watched a Lion and Dragon dance parade in Georgetown, Penang.
- Watched amazing Indian dance performances — such energy!
What did you do in 2011? Any plans for 2012?
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What another amazing year it has been! Aysia is such an amazingly joyful addition to our family. Her bright, smiling, and loving personality is so life-enhancing for all of us. She loves all of us so much and is so good at helping us feel it. :)
Thank you to all our family and friends, new and old, who have shared such wonderful moments with us this past year, and have shown so much love and support to our family in so many different ways. We love each and every one of you more than words can tell.
It is really fun to be in this new-to-us part of the world and see the mix of people and cultures that exist here in Malaysia.
It was fun sharing in some of these things with you this year. What will 2013 hold???
I think we need a new video of Aysia and her adventures in crawling…
I’m planning to sneak some “Aysia” footage in with our “Asia” footage in the posts ahead. :)
I did sort of a mental list of things I did in 2011. It wasn’t nearly as interesting, but I did get some pretty fun activities and experiences in there. The Gathering in Kauai was definitely a highlight. We had a good time with the murder mysteries, as well. As for 2012? Well… It’s starting off pretty busy. I have a trip to Kauai planned for next week – Jeston & Eve will be going with us for part of that trip. I think I’m needing to make a trip to Costa Rica for some medical tourism… I wish you guys were still there (or really, that I had thought to get this done last year while you were there).
I look forward to reading about all the new things that will be added to your 2012 list!
Sounds like your year is off to a great start! Yes, it would have fun to see you in Costa Rica, but I’m sure we’ll meet in a beautiful place some time this year as well. :)
It sounds like you did do something interesting things in 2011. I would have really liked to go to that jazz concert, or even be able to say I was chased by monkeys! :) In 2011, I did quite a bit of things, including finishing all the classes I needed to graduate, finishing my senior project, going on a sailing trip, participating in an honor band (at which I got to see some pretty cool jazz concerts too :) ), and of course spending a wonderful time in Hawaii with family. :)
I’;; be glad to hear about what you do this year! I’d also love to see both “Aysia” and “Asia” footage :)
Great List Brandon! What inspired you to move to Panang?
All the reasons listed here: https://pearceonearth.com/malaysia-our-next-home/
However, while it all looked good on paper, it didn’t feel like a place we wanted to live long-term. We’re loving Bali now. :)