2013: A Year in Review

Facebook has their link on your profile that says "See Your 2013 Year in Review". So I clicked on it.  It's been a really good year. You forget about a lot of things that happened. So I was just thinking of writing my own "Year in Review".  Consider this your Christmas letter from me, updating you on my life.

This year has given us the Beyonce Superbowl Halftime Show (shocked I listed that first?), an *NSYNC reunion (albeit not all we were hoping for) and a Miley Cyrus performance that is unfortunately burned in all of our minds forever. I personally went to quite a few concerts this year.  John Legend made me remember why I love him so much.  Justin Timberlake reminded me that he still is, always has been and will always be my #1.  Oh yea, Jay-Z was good too.  There was also Kelly Clarkson, Maroon 5 and of course, Bruno.

I got to see my Yankees play while in LA. Not only did we beat this year's NL Cy Young winner, but I also saw Mariano pitch in person for the last time.  My annual Miami football game was a bit of a wash...literally.  I did get to see us win a game though in North Carolina (while getting paid for it!)

This year, I laid by the pool. A lot. I discovered Gokul, the little Indian speller that changed my life. #Gokul2014. Texas Willie ran in a race, so there's another chapter of his book. I got tossed upside-down by a stripper and then ran away from him down the hallway (I wish I was kidding.) I got glasses. I finished a FitAthlon and then called out from work the next day because I couldn't get out of bed. An elephant snuck up on me.  I really wanted to try out for The Bachelor but would've had to quit my job.  Thanks a lot, Disney!

I switched departments at my job and have never been happier work-wise.  I bought a new car, which I love and got a new roommate, who I love even more. I made new friends and said goodbye to others.  I saw some of my very best friends in the world get engaged, married and even have babies!  I fell even more in love with both of my nieces and realize now more than ever how important family is.

Lastly, this year I discovered Game of Thrones and whoa my God, how my life has changed!  I was the baddest bitch ever for Halloween and Lily was a dragon. I don't really know how you can top that. 2013. Best. year. ever. Merry Christmas!!

Ladybugs

When I was a Freshman at Marist, I lived in a single.  As soon as it started to get warm out, I would literally have a swarm of ladybugs every morning in my room.  I'm not talking a couple, I'm talking like 20+ ladybugs every morning, flying into my face and waking me up.  I'm sure I ate more than a few.  It took me a long time to get over that and I HATED ladybugs for a while.  I would see them and say, "Ugh!" and spray them with Windex.  Eventually I started to show my merciful side and let them live.  A number of years have passed since then, and now when I see a ladybug, I don't think of that awful experience; that fades quickly.  I think of the experience of living in that room in Champagnat.  Oh, that room.  511.

I love to think about that room.  I remember all the memories that were made in that room and the friendships that are still going strong that began to take form there.  That, of course, always leads to me thinking of the other places that I lived with those same girls and the other friendships that were born along the way.   The places always changed but the friendships and the love has only grown.

One of those girls is getting married this weekend!  I cannot wait because every time I see these girls, I think of how unbelievably lucky I am to have them in my life.  (Should I call us women now or will you always be "the girls"?)  I look at the way our lives have turned out and despite everyone going in different directions, whenever we get together, we're always on the same page and it's always one of those nights that you can't help but love.  I see them and my heart fills with so much joy and I know that's super cheesy but it's absolutely true.  They are the greatest group of individuals as well as the greatest group of friends that a gal could ask for.  Love you bitches with all my heart.

But so anyway, ladybugs...yea, just saw one.

Andddd yea, thinking of getting a small ladybug tattoo with 4 dots (R4 duh), perhaps behind the ear.  Anybody in? Real talk.