lemon.

Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow…

Three years ago, I wanted to move to LA. I was hell-bent, despite not really knowing anyone there and having spent about a week there total. 2007 was kind of a boring year for me and in the end (spoiler alert), I didn’t move, but always kept the thought alive in my head. Once, in an unusually reflective moment, I told my sister that I thought I wanted to move because “nothing interesting happened this year; there was no standout date for the year… In 2004, I graduated from college (May 16th), in 2005, I moved to New York (July 3rd), in 2006, I started my new job at [current company] (April 12th), but for what will I remember 2007? Nothing.” My sister, who is significantly wiser than I am, pondered this for a moment and said something I’ll never ever forget:

“You know, that’s life. Some years, so much happens - both good and bad - that you can’t believe it’s only been a year. And some years, or multiple years, nothing happens. Trust me, while those years aren’t as memorable, you’ll appreciate them among the crazier years.” (I think she was more eloquent than that, but it’s been three years so you’ll have to forgive me.)

2007 ended with a whimper, 2008 came and went, and the same with 2009. Some more interesting things happened in those years, and some things were set in motion that would later change my life, but I can’t recall the exact dates and I didn’t know enough at the time. I found some life-long best friends, interviewed for a job in and considered moving to San Francisco (really), met The Boy, went to Argentina… but overall, these were calm, quiet years.

Enter 2010.

I could easily write an(other) entire post about how crazy and tiring this year was at times. The lows were utterly exhausting. But I think you know that by now, so let’s focus on the positive, shall we?

2010, the highs:

-I got a new job! I didn’t write much about this here because I’m not into the whole blogging about your work, plus my work has nothing to do with blogging whatsoever, but it’s been a real experience. I went from a job I loved but where I felt very trapped and listless, to a job that’s challenging and interesting and different. In an economy of “lucky to be employed at all,” I feel extremely fortunate. Not that my job is perfect, of course. There are long nights and weekends and stress and craziness and confusion and frustration, but still, it’s been fun. And, I went from a job with ZERO travel whatsoever to one that gave me a month in Israel in 2010, plus elite status on my favorite airline. So there’s that, too. Plus, sometimes I kind of rocked my job.

-I moved! Slowly, but surely, into a goooorgeous new apartment with many amenities including an amazing kitchen. And for the first time EVER, I live alone. Not something I thought I’d be into, really, and it was a big adjustment at first. I definitely miss my old roommate, Adrian, but the kitchen helps. :) Because of this, I’ve cooked a lot, lot, lot more and have expanded my gadget/appliance collection for the better. Plus, I’m no longer a slave to Time Warner. Also, I kind of made a home. Based on the sheer volume of links included here, I think y’all are sick of hearing about the move.

-I traveled a LOT. Some for fun, some for work, some combination, but 2010 will hopefully go down in history as my most mobile year (unless I win MegaMillions on Tuesday, knockonwood). This year I visited: San Antonio twice, New Orleans, Israel (Tel Aviv & Jerusalem twice, The Dead Sea, etc.), San Francisco, Fire Island (what? That counts; I had to take a train!), Los Angeles, Miami, Washington DC twice, and Seattle. Reading that list, it doesn’t look like a lot, but for someone with a full-time office job, it felt like I was squeezing in a LOT. Almost every trip was for a fun occasion, and these made for some of my favorite memories of 2010 and my life in general.

-I traveled a LOT with The Boy, and met his entire family. Turns out we’re pretty compatible. :) This was of course not without freaking out a little about it. I am, after all, a girl. (Nothing a little cardigan can’t fix.)

-I watched three of my best friends get married. Although it was often hard to feel like I did much other than wedding-related stuff this year, I felt incredibly blessed to be a part of three weddings and attend a fourth. On May 22, I officiated Kristin’s wedding, which was an amazing experience that I just realized I never even wrote about. Oops, some blogger I am. Regardless, it goes without saying that this will absolutely go down as one of the coolest and best experiences of my life. Two weeks later, I was a bridesmaid in Katy’s wedding. That weekend, I got to introduce The Boy to my best friends from college, and we all stood together as we watched Katy marry her perfect person. There is something so unbelievably special about friends you’ve known and loved for 10 years coming together to celebrate. Katy was the first of our group of friends to get married and it was the perfect chance for a reunion. After taking the summer “off,” I traveled to DC be Maid of Honor in Karen’s wedding. In what turned out to be a very relaxing wedding weekend (bouquet not withstanding), I reunited, made new friends, ate my weight in La Madeleine, and gave the best MOH toast in the whole world (What? I’m prone to exaggeration). Despite the craziness of it all, this was one of the best things about 2010.

Some other year highlights that didn’t quite make the cut:

-I met and fell for Dexter Morgan.

-I played (more!) football (including Winter Football and I totally didn’t die!) and volleyball with awesome, division-winning teams. And some non-division-winning teams, but that’s still fun, right?

-I developed migraines (ughhh) but got the world’s greatest Neurologist out of the deal and learned a little more about myself and my “overactive nervous system.” 

-I met Angry Birds, and replaced Brickbreaker in my heart and mind.

-I ate a LOT. And at a lot of great places. Many of which I sadly did not write about, but what can you do?

-I stayed in New York for the holidays, and had an amazing Christmas and birthday.

-I met a lot of tumblrs, this year. That should go in another post of itself, but I think we all know how great I am about writing stuff. Anyhow, every experience has been overwhelmingly positive and I know many of you will be my friends for life.

-I wrote this post! What? It took almost the entire year…

What 2011 will bring, is yet to be fully determined, but here are some things I know going into the year:

-I’m turning 30! We’ll see if it’s as big a deal as it’s made out to be.

-I’m currently in ONE wedding, with no others to attend, knock on wood. I’m sure more will come up, but I’m excited for the one.

-I’ll be traveling a lot, some for work, but also for fun. Already on deck? A week in Texas, a quick Florida bachelorette party, a week in Seattle (more on that below), possibly a Thanksgiving trip to Thailand, and some shorter trips hopefully in between.

-I’m climbing a mountain! That’s right, through some serious convincing from The Boy and his family (my climbing group), in August I’ll be ascending 14,000 feet of Mount Rainier (hence the Seattle trip). I’m extremely nervous, but have never ever challenged myself physically so I think this is an excellent start. Plus, I’ll be good company. Still - altitude much? (Anyone with any advice on altitude adjustment, please let me know!)

That’s about all I know for now. It’s been a year to end all… thanks for sticking around!