I babysat a six-year-old boy right before New Years. He was a special kid who was full of spunk but also very high energy. To prevent him from bouncing off the walls I came up with a brilliant idea that was initially to help him, but ended up helping me instead. I told him to draw 365 boxes to represent each day of 2011. That task took almost an hour itself. He wanted them to be perfect, as you can see from the photo above I was less concerned with perfection, and the two of us sat silently in an Upper West Side apartment thinking back on our year. Each line we drew, each square created, was an empty possibility of one moment in the past year that helped us grow. There were no rules. Just fill in the boxes.
I started to fill in my boxes and was overwhelmed with how much I accomplished in 2011. I don’t even think I took a second in 2011 to sit back and really celebrate all that I accomplished in one year until that moment. I didn’t finish all 365 boxes before his parents came home and found us both quiet and focused on our year report. They were impressed and kindly took the time to read my chart. His mother asked me “Was this your best year yet?” It took me by surprise when I confidently said, “Yes!” So much happened in 2011. Right down to the very last day.
Below are just a few highlights of 2011. I’m in the middle of my annual New Years cleanse and feel very content with where I am at my life. I know that 2012 will bring yet another amazing year full of growth, creativity, travel, friendship, family, and love. As always, thanks for reading! Amye
Amye’s Top 10 Highlights of 2011
1. G.I. Joe Jared, Based on One Really Bad Date – Published in Plays and Playwrights 2011, Performed at 59E59 and at The Edinburg Fringe Festival! Received a Four Star Review!
2. Create Me Pegasus – Finalist at The Strawberry One Act Festival AND The Samuel French OOB Festival. Production of The Short Film in collaboration with Philadelphia Philms
3. Group: The WebSeries - Formed a strong collaboration with Shawn and Emily to create SeaDog Productions. Our first project – Group – a twelve episode web series about nine characters in group therapy will debut this Spring!
4. ESPA & HB Studios. Took two wonderful writing classes that helped my confidence as a writer.
5. GREECE – Travelled to Greece as a last-minute decision when my trip to Egypt was postponed due to riots in Cairo. Rented my own ATV – explored Santorini, Athens, and went to a Greek Wedding. Amazing vacation!
6. FLora and Fauna – Got back up in front of the stage with my dear friend Mary K. to perform my original one-act piece Flora and Fauna Directed by Jesse Baxter it was one of four plays performed at aWe Creative Group’s March Madness Festival.
7. Falling – Wrote my first full length play since 2008! Falling has had two readings in 2011 and was my submission to graduate schools! So excited about the future of this piece.
8. 36 Hours – Had a reading of 36 Hours a new play exploring the connection we have to strangers. Hoping to perform it this Spring!
9. SCOTLAND! The Edinburgh Fringe was a main highlight-but so was exploring Scotland. Went up to the Isle of Skye for four days before jumping into the Festival Madness.
10. PlayFUN! – Had a very successful PlayFUN! that brought to life my new play .. My June!
Through all the good we have to weather the bad. 2011 also brought the death of my very dear friend, Brant Cunningham in a unfortunate accident in Africa. Through his death I have embraced Brant’s motto of living life to the fullest. He will always be missed, but I know he’s looking down and proud of all my accomplishments. Miss you, B!
Here’s to a wonderful 2012! Can’t wait to see what it brings. Enjoy your day! Laugh a little harder and love a little more. That is my 2012 motto! Amye
