Thanks 2013, bring on 2014.

January 1, 2014 in Personal

As a way to start the new year, I decided to have a look at 2013 in review. Just to think again about some of the events that took place and try and figure out where this whirlwind of a year went and what I can learn from what has happened.

The result is this list of random events that took place in 2013, not in any particular order and not all as significant.

I would strongly suggest taking some time to think about what has happened in your life in 2013, what you can learn and what you can change, improve or do differently in 2014.

Here’s to making 2014 the best year yet!

Cut my own lawn with my own lawnmower and realised that i’m growing up. (will keep fighting it though).

Launched Lunchbox (video based photography learning) with an incredible amount of excitement, hope and naivety.

Had a good friend (turned colluege) leave the team to pursue other opportunities. Business and personal is not as separate as you might think.

Shut down Lunchbox and promised that i will blog about the lessons learned and mistakes we made (have not done this yet)

Redesigned the Pretty Blog business and Website and never had so many people work so hard on one of our projects.

Redesigned the PlusPlusMinus website (still getting developed, but launching before Feb 2014)

Expanded the PlusPlusMinus team and am thinking about expanding more.

I became an uncle and was overwhelmed by the reality of my sister being a mother.

Attempted to cycle the Argus and failed. I will finish it in the future.

Shot my first wedding video and it went better than i expected.

SUP’d (stand up paddling) for the first time and now respect SUP’ers a bit more (still don’t know what you should call them).

Did not run a half marathon (i wanted to). But i did go for more walks with Christine after work.

I did not read all the books i planned to. But i discovered new ones.

Spent the longest time apart from Christine since we met. But knew she was loving NYC, so did not sulk too much.

Fed some elephants and was less scared than expected, although a bit more freaked out than necessary.

Assisted Christine with 2 workshops and got to witness her living her pasion of helping, teaching and inspiring by freely sharing who she is and what she has learned.

Launched the new christinemeintjes.com & .me and am already working on next versions…

Held and attended a couple of KIKI Meet Ups and regret not hosting more.

Spoke at the biggest KIKI Meet Up yet and became more excited about the fact that business is about people.

Attended the Photo & Film Expo and was beyond proud of my wife for nailing all 5 of her talks in front of massive audiences.

Watched a Ballet at the Artscape and only giggled too loud once.

Attended the Netprohet conferecnce and was once again inspired.

Was selected for Start Up Accellerator workshop with Permjot Valia and learned more than what was presented.

Applied for Techstars start up accellerator in NYC and was not accepted.

Celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary and am more in love than ever.

Second shot and assisted at many weddings and still am impressed by the photos Christine takes (more so when compared to mine).

Read some Books and wish i read more.

Did a “self-study” speed reading course and still wish i could read faster.

Redesigned iaanvn.com. Th next version is not being planned right now.

Launched the Pretty Blog Online store and am excited to grow it more.

Regret not having bungy jumped at Victoria Falls.

Was the least physically active this year and will change that in 2014.

Wrote some blog posts. But not enough.

Attended Oktoberfest in Cape Town and accept that the Munich one was probably more fun.

Held a Lion. Not a big one.

Got bitten by a cheetha. There was blood. I survided. And the story is better than the reality.

Built many (still need to count) websites for other people and realized again how much i love it.

Had my gran pass away and thought about death.

Went microlight flying (for the first time) and loved it.

Was MC at a wedding and again motivated to become an excellent public speaker.

Attended a cooking demonstration by a top-rated chef and was amazed to see someone who is at the top of their craft.

Grew the Pretty Blog team with 3 new people and were not prepared for it.

Found out i will become an uncle (again) next year. This time on Christine’s side of the family.

Traveled to:

Plettenberg Bay and attended a todler’s birthday party with ±30 kids.

Thailand (first time) and snorkeled with a snake.

Limpopo (first time) and chased the sun with a bride and groom in a rental car.

Johannesburg & Pretoria (multimple times). And am starting to enjoy it more and more.

Hartebeespoortdam (first time) and met amazing people.

Durban and hanged out with some great artists at a wedding.

Botswana, Zimbabwe & Zambia (first time) and have never before seen that many bank notes.

Italy where we are ushering in 2014 with snowboarding fireworks and family.

2013, 2014

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Thanks 2013, bring on 2014.

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