2011 - Looking Back

I totally wish I had started this blog last year so I could've done a 2011 recap like Katrina did. Oh well. Instead, I'm going to do the top 6 events of 2011, and 5 resolutions. (6+5=11. Get it?)

 

1. Birthday Trifecta (which turned into Quadfecta when Janira joined us for the day!) - Katrina and Jess came down to Springfield to visit for a weekend, since all of our birthdays are around the same time. We got manicures/pedicures, picked up Janira and shopped til we dropped for the rest of the day. If you've got a chance to hit up a Yankee Candle flagship store - do it. Be prepared to spend hours and a lot of money.

2. The Break Up. Now I know most people wouldn't include this in their Top Events list, because it was a horrendous time in my life, but it seriously opened my eyes to what I was capable of handling. I thought my life was over. I had this grand plan all set and ready to go (and if you know me, you know I'm a planner extraordinaire) and that breakup royally fucked all of it. For two weeks I was hysterical, then quickly moved into really pissed off. Then the clarity came. And while I would not give those years back for anything, the whole experience really made me grow up and, pardon me, grab life by the balls and do what I wanted to do

Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go. – Brooke Atkinson

Which leads me to... 

3. The Move to Charlotte. Holy mother, what a terrifying and awesome experience this has been! I knew it was time to get out of Maine, experience another part of the country (no, Massachusetts does not count), and prove to myself I could start over in a new city. Moving 1000 miles away from home with whatever could fit in my car was a bit nerve-wracking, but I'm happy to say that things here are coming together quite nicely. I've met some great people while I've been here, and couldn't be happier about my decision.

4. Horseshoe Party 2011 - this was one of the funniest days of the summer. It was hotter than balls outside, and Janira, Katrina & Nick came up from MA to party with us. The horseshoe party is always a debacle of drunkenness, and this year was no exception. By 11pm there were 25 40-50 year olds sitting in a circle in the yard (no fire in the middle) singing at the top of their lungs, any words that they could come up with that sounded even remotely close to right.

5. September 17, 2011. My last day at Studio 25, which was really bittersweet, because I love those girls. The BFFs came up/down/over from wherever they live and we went out in Portland for a night on the town. Glitterbombing was born. (Sounds like a Lady Gaga song.) Needless to say, we got a bit crazy, used The Face on many men - and it worked every single time, and we also got swooped in on by a group of guys out for a bachelor party, which has led to a fairytale/movie star couple. Who knew a night out in Portland could lead to love? Love it!

6. This one is not an event, but an observation. Or something. (I'm overtired, can you tell?) When your life goes to hell, your true friends really step up. I could not be more grateful to this group of girls I call my Best Friends. It's funny, you know when you meet someone and you just know they're meant to be in your life? I've got girls from all different periods in my life who I know are here for a reason. Most of them don't know each other, but slowly they are meeting. And becoming Facebook friends, haha. So its a start. 

Even though we've changed and we're all finding our own place in the world, we all know that when the tears fall or the smile spreads across our face, we'll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will ever change so much to the point where we're not all still friends.

So my 5 resolutions? Some are easy, some are lofty. We'll see what happens. I'm not usually one to make resolutions - lets face it, I'm pretty damn near perfect, so whats to resolve? JOKING.

• Work out more. I know this is everyone's goal for the new year, every year. Once I move out of the ghetto and I can find a gym thats convenient to home and work, I will join. As of now I am doing hot yoga 2-3 times a week if I can, so that's better than nothing. I'll include "walk Bailey more" in this one too.
• Read more. READ MORE?! Why is this even on here?! Because LIFE has gotten in the way of my reading habits and it's really starting to piss me off. I have about 50 unread books on my Kindle that I am just waiting to tackle. But if anyone wants to get into a book exchange or has some suggestions, I'd love to hear them. I need a new series to get lost in, since HP, Hunger Games and Dragon Tattoo are all done. (boohoo.)
• Explore more. I'm in a brand new city, and I've hardly done any exploring. I know where certain things are, etc, but every weekend I should be out doing something new. (And blogging about it, of course.) But by the time the weekend comes, I'm so flippin' exhausted I want to do nothing! So buck up little camper, and get yo' ass out of the house and find some new things to do.
• Facebook and texting, there is no excuse to not be talking to the people you love every day. 
• Recoup from the move & start a 401(k). God, how adult of me. That's a boring one.

What about you guys? Any interesting resolutions for 2012? Have a safe and happy New Year's Eve!

Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of the things you've always wanted to do but couldn't find the time. Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories. Vow not to make a promise you don't think you can keep. Walk tall, and smile more. You'll look ten years younger. Don't be afraid to say, 'I love you'. Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world. - Ann Landers