What a year it's been! I definitely learned a lot about myself this year, and I've also had some experiences of a lifetime that I won't soon forget

Chest surgery, February 2011: a life changing experience for me, really. I can swim, I can use the men's showers and locker room at the gym, I walk with my chest out instead of slumped inward... it made summer a time of enjoyment rather than one of hot discomfort and longing. I'm looking forward to my revision in Feb 2012
Allergic Reaction/Face Spots Post-Surgery, February 2011-July 2011: I was on top of the world! I was so confident in my looks and I will even venture to say that I was vain and self-absorbed. I was hit was a major breakout of spots and bumps on my face after surgery. it was so embarrassing and it really took a toll of my confidence and my willingness to cosplay/be on camera/be in public. It was such  a little thing, but it effected me so profoundly... it really forced me to think about what I valued. However, for those 5 or so months... I really wasn't the happiest person. I felt as thought I had been robbed. I finally had a body that I could show off, and yet I had these spots all over my face that I wanted to hide. It seemed lie if it wasn't one thing, it was another thing holding me back. It cleared up over the summer, but it cirtainly taught me a lesson!
My Other Me Cosplay Documentary, February 2011-Present: I've never been involved in a professional film production before, so this was quite the experience. Seeing how a film crew goes about making a documentary first hand really gave me some valuable insight. I hope that the finished documentary turned out great
Sakura Con, April 2011: it was a little more stressful than in past year, but Sakura Con still remains one of my favourite cons Love the people, the atmosphere and the venue. I had the honour of joining in a Hajime no Ippo group with ~Kenshiro-FDP and some other guys. Because of surgery and some other health issues I didn't get nearly as bulked up as I had hoped... but still, it was an amazing experience to get to be a part of that cosplay group Gotta do that again sometime soon
Fanime, May 2011: OH FANIME, I love you so. We spent most of the con with our California pals and were lucky enough to attend the engagement of two of our good friends Goodtimes taking awkward photos in the corner of the hotel, "McGuyvering" the car, rollarblading around down with sexy *Valdrein, ~Heimdallll and *VandorWolf, and being PETER PAN! 8D
Callisto (our white cat) gets sick, July-August 2011: Callisto swollowed string and it got caught around here tongue... somethin that should have been easy for a vet to notice. However we got a bad vet, and he missed it. Because of that Callisto spent 2 weeks not eating or drinking with her intestines bunching. She miraculously survived, as we got her into a good vet just as she was going into shock. She's back to her old hyper and happy self now, but man that was quite the ordeal.
Bro-Times Vacation in Kelowna with *Valdrein, August 2011: Valdrein invited me on her family vacation to Kelowna, and I must say it was one of the best vacations I've ever been on. Bro-bonding time driving HOURS into the mountains for *Weatherstone's wine, WINNING ALL THE RESORT GAMES (we were known as the "Super Family" XD, meeting a twinfools fan who was at the resort as well (small world, eh?), THE LEGEND OF CORY, Team Raptor vs. Team Ram, vs. Team Gnome, Danger Road, driving around downtown Kelowna blasting "Where Them Girls At?" and hooting at 40+ ladies, Adventure hike with Valdrein's stepdad and our day out on a boat 8D
Alcon, September 2011: Aw man, where do I start with this one? Meeting `KellyJane and `tealpirate... well I wasn't sure what to expect. We haden't really had too much interaction before, so I didn't know if we would get along. But we arrived at Heathrow and they saw us walking out and ran up and greeted us with hugs Next they gave us a huge bag of English candy, winning *VandorWolf's heart immediately XD. Charlotte and I bonded over Mary Poppins, Amala became my fellow Chinformer and the rest was history. There was never a dull moment hanging out with Kelly, Jenn, Charlotte, Laura, Amala, Dani, Connor as well as all the peeps who shared our corridor at Alcon. Seriously, there wasn't a single person who didn't make us feel welcome at Alcon. Everyone was a blast to hang with. Looking forward to seeing our Norwegian friends (and some of our friends from England/Denmark/Sweden etc.) again at Banzaicon
Trip to England, September 2011: What an amazing country. I grew up studying literature from England the the history of England... so to go there and stand in the places where some of my favourite historical moments and literary works took place... what an amazing feeling! Thanks to our personal guides (Kelly, Laura, Jenn, Charlotte Dan (Rilack) and Jess) we got to see so much in the short amount of time we were visiting 8D Our meetup at Hyde Park brought out WAY more people than I was expecting I was THRILLED! Met and talked with so many awesome people, I almost teared up at how nice and sweet everyone was. I wish we could teleport back there I miss everyone.
Aki Con, October 2011: BRO CON!!! So much fun I can't even explain D8 Just chilling with friends all day, losing my voice and not being able to talk for half the con, meeting with new and old friends PLUS ~Satsori's PIE on the last day... PIE!!! Moustaches all around my friends. Oh! And :iconiz-teh-lurves: saving our lives and power driving us back to Seattle, we caught our bus just in time!
FDP Christmas Party, December 2011: Always a good time, and this year was no exception. O-DE-LALLY!
Christmas: *VandorWolf's parents referred to me as "part of the family, gave me a Christmas gift and invited me to Hawaii with them for next Christmas O.O it's amazing to think that they've accepted me as Nova's boyfriend, I'm still kind of in shock. I'm wearing the necklace they gave me as a gift (it has a gecko on it XD) because it's special to me. It symbolizes acceptance and a change that I never imagined could have been possible. My parents are trying too. They invited Nova over for Christmas dinner and she met the rest of my family. We're getting there

Those are the events that stand out for me from 2011. I'm seriously looking forward to 2012! It's sure to be a good year. I'm READY FOR THIS! COME AT ME BRO!

If anyone want to share a moment that stands out to them from 2011 in the comments please do! I'd love to read them And thank you to everyone for your continued support I don't thank you guys enough!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!! 8D