And he made my world shine.

BBC: Thousands honour repatriated men

"Thanks to lots of training and hard work, I was able to succeed and be able to shine above other players of my age, " Falcao said.

CNN: Falcao: Soccer's 'Tiger' prowls for goals

Soon, though, the sun emerged, making London's streets shine like titanium and warming my walk from Gagosian's gallery in chichi Mayfair to the location in a grittier area near King's Cross.

WSJ: Racing Around the World for a Damien Hirst Print

This year, I was able to turn years of blogging at my food blog, Food for My Family, and freelancing for other sites into publishing my first book, Desserts in Jars: 50 Sweet Treats that Shine.

FORBES: A Sweet Career: From Day Job to Desserts in Jars

Carrera y Carrera is known for combining matte-shine effects on its pieces, an effect that served to make my two monsters seem even more forbidding.

FORBES: Celebrate The Year Of The Dragon With A $47,000 Bracelet