New Year, New Goals 2022 Review

2022 was a bit of a mixed bag for Alison. Many great things happened, but there were also some really hard things. Losing CC was the hardest and selling our house was also challenging. Despite the challenges, 2022 was a good year and I accomplished my goals. 

Travel

This year we completed our two long-term travel goals to visit the 7 wonders of the modern world and the locations showcased in Disney's Soarin' Over the World. We have been talking about these goals for ~5 years and it is surreal that both are now completed. 

This year we visited three sites from Disney's Soarin' Over the World. 

Iguazu Falls in Argentina and Brazil. These are the most impressive waterfalls we have seen. This place will always be a bit bittersweet because we were here when we found out CC passed. We found solace in the beauty and quietness of this place and the many rainbows we saw each day. Whenever we see a rainbow we will think of our little cat.  

Fiji was not in our plan at the beginning of the year, but as the year progressed we realized we could really use a relaxing, stress-free beach vacation. Fiji delivered all of that and more. It was an added bonus it was the last remaining site from Soarin' Over the World.

Greenland was hard to get to and I didn't really know what to expect. Of all the places on this list, it might have been the place I was least excited to visit. The grand irony is that it just might be my favorite place we visited on this list. Greenland was incredible. We loved almost everything about it (except the mosquitos). This is where a goal comes in clutch because it encouraged us to try something we otherwise might have dismissed. 

We also visited the last two of the 7 wonders of the modern world. 

We visited both of the remaining wonders of the modern world on our trip to South America. 

Christ the Redeemer was our last wonder and it was our least favorite. Especially up close. It is cool, but not really at the same level as the other wonders on the list. The thing I liked best about Christ the Redeemer is the way you can see it from all over Rio. 

Machu Picchu was amazing. It was everything I hoped it would be and more. Watching the sunrise over this ancient city on top of a mountain and tucked into a rainforest is a moment I won't forget. Hiking all around the city and learning about the history and culture made this one of my favorite wonders. 

Locations from Disney's Soarin' Over the World:

Matterhorn in Switzerland 2018

Isfjord, Greenland 2022

Sydney Harbour in Sydney, Australia 2019

Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany 2018

Kilimanjaro National Park and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania 2021

The Great Wall of China in China 2018

The Great Pyramids in Egypt 2017

Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradesh, India 2019

West and East Mitten Buttes in Monument Valley, United States 2018

Lau Islands, Fiji 2022

Iguazu Falls, Argentina 2022

Eiffel Tower in Paris, France 2018

A Disney Park

7 Wonders of the Modern World:

1. Chichen Itza, Mexico - Mayan City 2019

2. Christ Redeemer, Brazil - Large Statue 2022

3. The Great Wall, China 2018

4. Machu Picchu, Peru 2022

5. Petra, Jordan - Ancient City 2017

6. The Roman Colosseum, Italy 2018

7. The Taj Mahal, India 2019

Personal Development

The goal here was to grow a new sourdough starter and learn to make delicious sourdough bread. This goal was a success. I maintain a sourdough starter and Alison makes sourdough bread every week. We took a Harmon's class where we learned to make sourdough bread. Alison is better at making sourdough bread than me, but I can and occasionally do make a couple of beautiful loaves. Making sourdough bread has become something we love to do. 

Health 

The goal here was to do a year of classes by Amolia Ceasar. I accomplished this goal. I struggled off and on with injury this year. Despite some of those challenges overall, I had a good year. Going forward I am focused on building up strength while avoiding injury. We will see how this goes in the coming years. 

Our New Home

The goal in this area was to design beautiful spaces for our new home. We accomplished this goal. It was a lot of work to select all of the elements of our home, but by the end of the year, we have decided on almost everything (there are a few electrical/low voltage items we are still figuring out). A lot of progress was made on our home this year and we are looking forward to having it finished in 2023. 

In 2023 I am taking a break from the New Year, New Goals posts. I think 2023 will be a big year. There is a lot that feels uncertain in the world right now and I have decided I will embrace the opportunities and work through the challenges as they come.