1) DRINKING BUDDY OF THE YEAR
KG - Kelley Geris
2) LIFETIME SERVICE AWARD (longest friend)
Megan Sosne & Sarah Keagy
I do not really remember many of my birthdays growing up. I know I had one at Jungle Rapids at some point and Alana Bullers gave me an awesome Trapper Keeper, and I remember having one at the skating rink. However, my 4th grade birthday sticks out like it was yesterday. My mom packed up the new conversion van and took my two best friends and me to Raleigh for a Boyz II Men, TLC, and MC Hammer concert. We watched Rocketeer on the way home. Through Facebook, I have remained connected to Megan and Sarah, and over the past year we have spoken regularly and I got to spend some time with Sarah in October. I am so thankful to have them both in my life.
3) NEWCOMER AWARD - MOST AMAZING NEW ADDITION IN MY LIFE
This is tough, really tough. I have met two girls over the past year that I know I will remain friends with for a long time, and connected with another that had previously only been an acquaintance. Kelley and Sara definitely take the cake, but I have to add Barbara in here because I never spent much time with her in Charlotte.
3) HIGH POINT OF THE YEAR
I have done so many amazing things over the past year, but I think getting to watch Billy play football was my highlight. He doesn't have much that is all
his... that he created, that he is a part of, that he loves, that doesn't involve me. However football is all Billy - he did it, he loves it, he puts 100% into it - and it makes me so happy.
4) LOW POINT OF THE YEAR
Summer - Homesickness, culture shock, exhaustion, etc. hit us this summer, but thankfully it let up eventually.
5) BEST HOLIDAY
Beerfest (is that a holiday?) Our karwa in Kraftshof was my favorite celebration.
6) SONGS FOR 2011
ALL ADELE
Hair - Lady Gaga
RHCP - Monarchy of Roses, Brendan's Death Song, Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie
Foster the People - Pumped up Kicks
Young the Giant - My Body
Jimmy Eat World - Here You Me
7) MOVIES FOR 2011
Bridesmaids
Midnight in Paris
I fell asleep through most movies this year...
8) VALENTINE of 2011
Salzburg!
9) BEST RELATIONSHIP of 2011
Probably Mags again
10) BEST FLING of 2011
I think I am going to have to delete this one for next year.
11) HALLOWEEN COSTUME of 2011
I was in Paris, so I didn't really celebrate Halloween - although I was a version of Lady Gaga for Fasching
12) RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Döner Imbisses everywhere - and Irrainstuben at the end of our street
13) BOOK OF THE YEAR
More Nelson DeMille
14) BEST DECISION MADE THIS YEAR
Our home - without this location we would not have made three really, really great friends
15) PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR
Beach vacations... Croatia, Malta, Andalucia
16) MOST STUPID IDEA WHEN DRUNK in 2011
ugh, I said so many things I regret... however walking home from Hirsch was probably the worst... and missing the Bamberg train
17) TV SHOW OF THE YEAR
Modern Family
18) MOST LOYAL FRIEND of 2011
Our neighbors... they have helped us out more times than we can count
19) BIGGEST CHANGE OF 2011
Germany
20) BIGGEST DOUCHEBAG AWARD
he who shall not be named
21) NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION
Marathon & keep it real
22) MOST HUMOROUS EVENT OF 2011
The Stand Comedy Club in Scotland
23) BIGGEST PURCHASE OF 2011
Vacations...
24) DA MISS YA AWARD
My Brother
25) THE COACH K AWARD FOR BIGGEST INFLUENCE/ROLE MODEL IN 2011
In retrospect, the fact that I do not have a recipient for this award explains a lot to me. I cannot say that I am exactly proud of my 2011. I do not feel like I accomplished much or served others or benefited society in any way other than spending money money to help boost the economy - and I think this may be a reason why. I just didn't have any real inspiration or motivation or someone kicking me in the ass.
26) THE MAGGIE AUSTIN GENIUS AWARD MOMENT
One day getting on the wrong bus three times in a row
27) GREATEST GIFT OF 2011
yellow purse?
28) CW AUSTIN AWARD FOR BIGGEST IMPACT
Expat friends - they have set an example and standard for the type of friend I want to be
