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What a year! Numerous memories! Below are some highlights from 2018.
Watched the first sunrise from Jouyama then jumped in the ocean
Did kakizome (海が生きがい)
Surfed way too many times to count
Learned to "turn" while surfing
Went to Okinawa (Aka, Zamami, Geruma, Fukaji and Mokaraku* islands)
Hung out with Dean and Gabs
Swam with sea turtles and a venomous sea snake
Camped, swam and survived a week of crazy wind storms in Niijima
Saw my two good friends get engaged ocean-side on the pumice sand
Snorkeled in Shikinejima (Amazing Nakanoura)
Relaxed in natural ocean-side Shikinejima baths (multiple)
Took up yoga and continue to enjoy it
Took close-up photos of the moon at an event I helped host
Ran the first "Minami Izu Trail Marathon" 20 km ends with onsen and ise-ebi soup
Acquired some basic archery skills
Studied quite seriously for hunting and gun licensing
Hiked an epic two-day trail (built an impromptu shelter to sleep in, made a fire in extreme humidity)
Escaped on a mountain-leech-infested (yamabiru) 6 hour downhill hike
Went to Australia twice
Re-interior-designed my main living space with a heated kotatsu, Thai cushions and a Moroccan pouf
Bought the ultimate dream tool kit (astrotools); replaced all my tools
Put alloy rims and new tires on the Airwave
Taught Ana how to change tires and oil
Bought my 4th motorcycle (nc700x)
Customized it (heated grips, center stand, usb, tool kit, navi, levers and engine guards)
Made some professional progress steps
Slept on the sand ocean-side under the stars with nothing at all
Pulled a giant fishing net out of the ocean with the local community and bbq'ed
Went to tons of summer festivals
Continued the Izu English Running Club (Dec. 2018 - 92nd time)
Met a Belgian-mix beer-making, castle-building, goat-keeping, amazing family
Did my own and others' taxes after much research
Started (kinda) a podcast that I hope to launch in 2019
Made rings from scratch with friends
Did 108 sun salutations in a row
Didn't spear a fish... maybe next year
Undoubtedly a few more things
It was an awesome year. My goals for next year are similar to Woody Guthrie's.