Could 2011 be my best year yet...starting with semi-scratch banana pudding??

While reading the book Paris Was Ours: Thirty-Two Writers Reflect on the City of Light, compiled by Penelope Rowlands, I came across a story in which the author stated that his year in Paris was his best year ever.
   That line has been haunting me ever since.
   I have a couple of best years ever of my own, and it saddens me to think my best years might be behind me. So, I wondered 'WHAT would I have to DO to make 2011 my BEST YEAR EVER?'
   Do you have a best year ever??? I've got a few ideas, but what do you think it takes to make a year the BEST? Really, help me out here...why shouldn't 2011 be our best year yet?

 As for the Banana Pudding, this is my go-to super-easy recipe for feeding a crowd. As a person committed to reducing packaging waste, I'm kinda ashamed to be sharing recipes that call for packaged products. SO, I will be looking for ways to make these recipes completely from scratch--but still super EASY. Links below for scratch versions of some of the commercial products; I'll be trying these the next time I make banana pudding. Wish me luck!
    
Banana Pudding
1 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 can sweetened condensed milk (Homemade version on Down-to-Earth)
4-5 bananas
1 box vanilla wafers, reserving a few for crumb topping (Homemade version on SeriousEats)
2 small boxes instant vanilla pudding mix (Homemade version on JoyOfBaking)
3 1/2 cup milk
16 oz. Cool Whip (Homemade version on E-How)

Mix the pudding mixes with the 3 1/2 cup milk, as directed on the box. Add the softened cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk and mix until thoroughly combined and mixture is smooth, creamy and thick. Fold 1/2 of the Cool Whip into the mixture. In a 13"x9" pan, Layer half of the vanilla wafers, then bananas, then half of the pudding mixture. Repeat. Spread remaining Cool Whip on top. Crush reserved vanilla wafers and sprinkle over top of all. Refrigerate.