NYR

New Years...objectives. Resolutions overused. Of course we still have the 24 before 24 but sadly that is on the computer that doesn't turn on...hopefully we can retrieve that soon! But here they are:



1) More directed and focused effort regarding my job



2) Eat healthier and more physical activity--lost the post-college weight and use that gym membership!



3) Eat out less. Plan more meals, cook more often, and stop using dining out for social reasons...get more creative!



4) Go to church at least once a month. Its early yes but can I do it...yes.



5) Start/join a book club



6) Be more serious. The humor as a crutch thing getting old. I think anyways. Thoughts on this one?



7) Research grad school options. At least have a better idea of what I want to go back to school for.





Here is to a fabulous new year!

2009- Recap

January:

The best part about this month was Alli's mom flying me to Seattle to see her for New Years and go to Portland to go bridesmaid dress shopping. It was so special to get to surprise some of my friends and spend that time with Alli since I hadn't see her since Stephanie's wedding!

February:

Obama's inauguration has to be mentioned as a major highlight and also something I will remember for the rest of my life.

I also took a trip to San Fran in Feb. not for the best of reasons but I got to spend some time with my sister and my mom and her sister, Aunt Jackie. It was really neat to get to see the De Young and some beautiful art!

The very end of February Stephanie came to visit me and I had such a great weekend showing her DC and introducing her to my new friends!

March:

My mom and her long time friend Victoria came out to visit me and Victoria's son Ben. We had a wonderful time doing all the DC tourist things. AND Ben arranged for us to take a tour of the capitol dome. It was by far one of the coolest things I have done in DC to date!

April:

My boss, Jessica, gave birth to her beautiful baby girl, Adrienne which meant I started working fulltime while she was on maternity leave. This was all kicked off by Jason's rooftop Opening Day party for the Nats!

May:

Always a favorite month for me! Birthday month! This year I celebrated in Jacksonville FL with Kendal and Stephanie. This was such a great trip! Beaches, Disneyland, Branding marks, beers with straws, Budweiser factory tour, and of course getting to be with two of my most favorite people!

June:

Epic month. I became an AUNT!! Wyatt is such a blessing and I am so happy for my sister and Jon, they are such a beautiful family and Wyatt brings so many laughs and warm fuzzies to all of our lives!

July:

I took a trip to Idaho so I could finally get to meet Wyatt. I have never been so in love with anything or anyone in my life!

August:

Alli became a Mrs.! I was so honored to be a part of her wedding and share such a special memory with her and Sean. They are such a great couple and I know that this was the start of a long and wonderful marriage!

September:

Big changes this month, the end of my college romance came to an end and I put on some major big girl pants finding a new apartment, moving and getting settled into real DC living. In the end it all came down to being "In it to win it" and I think I made so really good choices for the next chapter of my life.

Earlier in the month I also got the chance to go down to Chapel Hill and see one my littles, Mallory and spend a weekend stalking PNMs!

I also celebrating getting hired as a full-time HR Coordinator at my work! That was one of the biggest accomplishments of the year by far! I am still so happy with my job and my boss, I honestly could not have ended up working for a better company!

October:

I got a blackberry. Haha. Ok not a highlight, but a big girl moment! I think Halloween this year was actually a lot of fun! I went as a "Hot Idaho Potato" and Erin through an awesome party where her and Paul rocked some amazing "where in the world is Carmen San Diego" costumes.

Earlier in the month I also got to sneak up to MD to see Kendal when she was visiting family and spent a great day shopping, gossiping and catching up!

November:

Lindsey and Dan (now engaged!! Congrats guys!) came to visit me. I had a great time getting to know Dan and spend some time with Lindsey who I had not seen in over 3 years!

I also cooked my very own Thanksgiving dinner. Battled some cockroaches and got to take care of Puck the Husky!

December:

Three glorious weeks in Idaho. I did a little skiing, saw a lot of friends, bonded with the family, spent not nearly enough time with Wyatt and celebrated my sister getting engaged!!! What a finish to 2009!

EMU

I think I might be needing these:

My uggs are on their last legs, having been a staple for many years now in keeping my toes nice and cozy. I think these are super cute with the bow. I saw a girl walking to work the other day wearing these and they look even better in person. The bow isn't as stiff as in the picture, so they almost have a ballet pointe shoe-esqu air about them (and we all know my affinity for anything that reminds me of ballet!). Now just to keep my eye out for them on sale!

Birthday Event

Last night I was lucky enough to get invited to Sam's birthday party, which was a wine tasting/pairing event at Willow Restaurant in Arlington. Sam put together a 7 course menu with wine pairings and it was delish!

Menu:
Gougere with Truffle Butter
JD Merieau Bulles Brut Loire, France NV

Potato Latke with Beet & Goat Cheese Quenelle
Girard Sancerre Loire, France 2008

Bacon Wrapped Scallop with Rosemary Skewer
Gruner Veltliner

Proscuitto Fritter with Smoked Paprika Tomato Sauce
Brunelli Apricale Super Tuscan Italy 2007

Drunken Duck Flatbread
Carica “Kick Raneh” Syrah, Sonoma, California 2006

Vol au Vent Beef Wellington-Bacon Wrapped Duxelles with Mushrooms and Puff Pastry
Cadet Piola St. Emilion, France 2006

Buttermilk Blue Goat Cheese Crumble
Sauternes

After seven glasses of wine we headed to the Willow bar and had some small plates (I got a artichoke crab dip) and yet another good glass of wine. We then headed to Iota bar in Clarendon and put back a few more glasses of wine. (I think we can all properly agree there was a lot of wine last night).

Sam did a great job of putting this all together, I had an amazing time and really enjoyed the different wines and tasting them with the amazing food at Willow.

Back in the 20009

Well we're back in the District. I have only cried twice today...probably a vast improvement over last Christmas when I returned, but I still feel a tad low. Flights were okay for the most part, if anything they seemed really fast which is strange. I put my new sheets on my bed (top cover and all!) and put away my suitcases, and yet I feel strangely lost. Hopefully work will distract me tomorrow. Ugh and can we all say that medical bills blow, and some medical offices really need to get their act together. Awesome welcome home mail.

Anyways, to hopefully get rid of the bad feelings and thoughts I am having, lets re-cap some awesome events during my trip home.

The big news is in...it is official...my lovely, beautiful, and amazing sister is tying the knot! Her boyfriend proposed on Christmas eve and they told us Christmas morning!! I am so excited for her and Jon!

For New Years Eve I decided instead of just hanging out and baking or something equally boring I made a impromptu trip to Sun Valley to be with Nicole and Wyatt. Wyatt was so smart, and he woke up at 11:45 pm to watch the ball drop in times square with Nicole and me! The next day we had a sorts of fun together and then Nicole and I went out to have a few drinks that night. We took Wyatt sledding...he was a riot!

I had such a great time getting to see Nicole, Jon and Wyatt again!! Well wish me luck tomorrow and lets all pray this "mood" I am in will disappear quickly!