My Year in Review: Top 11 of 2011

As 2011 comes to a close, it's only natural that one would reflect upon it.  For me, 2011 was a year of learning and experiencing.  As with any year there were some highs and some lows.  There were some days that I definitely knew I was in a place I didn't want to be.  And then there were some days when I knew I was right on track.  But in traversing the mountains of my life, I learned a lot.

I started the new year having just broken up with my college boyfriend.  Or rather, let me clarify, he had just broken up with me.  We both knew this was the best decision for us in the long run, but the timing was just the pits to be honest.  I was caught between the mixed emotions of graduating from A&M, the place I truly felt at home, and the frustration of doing so without a job lined up.  So navigating through a weird relationship turn with my boyfriend/best friend was not ideal.  On the job front, yeah, the economy sucked.  Yeah, I was applying for jobs that were all out of state.  And yeah, most of those jobs were in industries that are hard to get into.  But regardless of the excuses that could be made or the reality of our bottomed-out economy, the truth of the matter is I was stuck back at home, jobless, and honestly?  Kinda lonely.

Lucky for me, I have some pretty wonderful people in my life and a pretty stubborn personality.  I refused to give in to my less-than-ideal situation and threw myself into going to church, working out, and figuring out exactly what direction I wanted my life to take.  I got a part-time job to tide me over until I found exactly what I was looking for and I focused a lot on all the good that I did have: parents that let me shack up with them again (rent free!), friends that continued to encourage me, and a faithful God that (in hindsight) was allowing me to fall a bit so I would appreciate the climb when it started.

Looking back, I think the Big Guy knew I needed a few months' rest before I jumped into what is now my crazy life.  He needed a few months to lead me to a great church and get me hooked, to help me re-cement some relationships that had started to crumble, to allow me to research and interview and talk to people about all the wrong jobs in order to find the right one, and to give me time to stop, think, and move forward with a plan.  And thank goodness He did.

My 2011 has, in short, been awesome.  Here's a little peak into my top 11 favorite memories from this past year.

1. I landed my dream first job.

Thanks to a recommendation from a fellow Aggie and my year spent as a Fish Camp Director at A&M, I landed my very first big girl job as the Recruiting Assistant at The Boston Consulting Group.  Essentially, I facilitate the interview process for our consultants and plan events for both our office and our candidates.  Being that I love organization and socializing this is a perfect fit for me.  I even get to jet off every so often on a business trip (the picture above was taken on my first one).

2. I attended weddings.  Several.

I've been to three weddings this year; all of them vastly different, and all of them absolutely beautiful.  I adore weddings because they're happy, they're fun, they're about friends and family coming back together, and they more often than not involve free drinks.  My friends from college are getting engaged left and right (eek!) so it was nice to warm up to the wedding scene with a modest number of three this year.  By the time 2012 wraps up, I'll be a seasoned pro ;)

3. I floated the river.  Three times.

I blogged about all of them so feel free to read back on them here, here, and here.  As I've said before, floating the river is one of my absolute favorite things in the world.  Conveniently for me, I live within four hours of three awesome rivers.  As they always are, my trips this summer were filled with my best friends, good beer, lots of laughs, a few sunburns, and memories that will last a lifetime!

4. I moved into my first bachlorette pad.

On July 1st I moved into my very first, very own, pay-for-myself apartment downtown.  Well, actually it's in Uptown, which is even better for me.  I lucked into a pretty sweet deal making it moderately affordable and definitely doable considering my prime location (I'm a block away from my office!).  This was, and still is, one of the most accomplishing feelings - to look around and know that because of my hard work I pay for this shell of an abode, I pay for the furniture and decor to make it a home, and I pay for the bills that keep it livable.  There's still a lot of work to be done (as can be noted by my lack of curtains in the photo above) but I'm definitely trying to be patient as I wait to seek out the perfect pieces!

  

5. I went to my company retreat.

Every summer BCG hosts a retreat for the employees.  Although I absolutely adore my job and love planning events, it was nice to have a blow-out of a weekend that was planned for me!  You can read about the details here, but it was such a treat to spend an entire weekend in utter spoilment (who do I talk with to add 'spoilment' to the dictionary?!).

6. I had a reunion with my fellow Directors.

I'll try to skip around this Fish Camp subject as quickly as possible because, let's be honest, I could go on for days about this magnificent organization and the ways in which it touched my life.  The picture above was taken at one of the many Director reunions we had throughout the year.  These people (and the three not pictured) are the friends who morphed into my family.  They are the people I spent every single day with for a year, they are the people who know me at my very worst and my very best, they are the people I lived with for a month at camp, and they are the people who, above all else, will always hold the most special of places within my heart.  Being with them makes me happy :)

7. I visited my alma mater.

College Station will always feel like home to me.  I grew and learned so much while I was there in every way possible and I found some of my life-long friends along the way.  It must also be noted that football and, more specifically, tailgating is at the very top of my "favorite things" list.  So a weekend full of College Station, best friends, and tailgating definitely made the cut for my top moments of 2011.  Plus, it was my first time tailgating as an alum!

8. I ran my first race.

One of my personal life goals is to run a half marathon (maybe eventually a full marathon but I'm trying to remain realistic here).  I became one step closer to accomplishing this when I ran my first race (albeit only a 5k) in September.  After a little bit of a set-back and pause from training, I ran another 5k in December.  And as a little sneak peek into 2012, I'll go ahead and let you in on the exciting news: I'm signed up for a 10k in January, 15k in February, and my half in March!  In just a few short months (but lots of hard work!) I will have ::hopefully:: completed one of my life goals.  Go me.

9. I went to The State Fair of Texas.

Oh The State Fair.  Always a jolly good time.  Fried food, craft booths, the midway, shows...what's not to love?!  I mean, seriously!  How do people live in this great state and never experience the amazingness this extravaganza has to offer?  Obviously the State Fair is one of my favorite times of year.  I think this is largely because it really means so much more.  It means not only a killer of a day, but finally cooler weather, my birthday season, and the holidays peeping around the corner.

 10. I took my first 'real' vacation.

I 'use' real vacation to differentiate the few I took this year from those previously because honestly?  I travel a solid amount.  It's kinda a hobby of mine.  In college, my friends and I frequented Austin and spent many a weekend down in New Orleans.  We went to our bowl games and on camping trips, road trips to the coast and to each other's hometowns.  But 2011 was the first time I, all by myself, paid for an 'extravagant' vacation.  And by extravagant I mean we didn't include blow-up mattresses and lysol on our packing list...

 The first 'real' vacation I took was to Boston to visit my sister because she's cool and goes to Berklee.  We spent a few days in NYC after Thanksgiving before heading back to Beantown for the remainder of my trip.  The next 'real' vacation I took was a few weeks later to Orlando.  I'm a huge Harry Potter fan so the chance to go to the HP theme park was just too good to pass up.  And let's be honest, what person in their right mind can resist Disney World, too?!  Hopefully 2012 will hold many more trips!

 11. I hosted my first Christmas party.

I love hosting parties.  I think it might be a disease.  But I like to attribute it to the fact that my friends mean everything to me.  Now my family means the world to me so don't read me wrong, but friends are the people you choose to love and be around, so making an effort to come together and spend time with one another is uber important to me.  I had an absolute blast preparing for and hosting my first annual Christmas party and am excited for many more to come in the future!  I might even have the ones for 2012 and 2013 planned out...

So 2011 ended a lot differently than it started.  I have direction in my life, I have solid goals, I have a faith that is gaining strength every day, I have a job and a home to be proud of, and I have a year full of memories that I am ever so thankful for.  Oh, and the boyfriend that had just broken up with me?  Well, he's still one of my best friends.  We learned how to forge a friendship out of a broken relationship.  After all, aren't some of the best friends the ones that go to the tops of the mountains and the bottoms of the seas with you?  In other words, the ones that know you inside out; your good and your bad.  We might have been a mis-match on the romantic front, but I gained a hell of a friend out of it!

What a blessing of a year!  Cheers to a great 2011!

Book Review: Handle with Care

I have another book review for you!  This is why I love the holidays: copious amount of reading time.  I finally finished the book I started on the way back from my Boston/NYC trip.  It's one of Jodi Picoult's newest ones and, I must say, one of her best.  If you adored "My Sister's Keeper" and "The Pact" then you are sure to be obsessed with this one as well:

Photo found here.

Handle with Care is a story of love, loyalty, and the distance parents go for their children.  I knew it was a good one when, half way through the book (and on the plane ride to Orlando!) I started crying.  It's emotional, it's real, it's shocking, and it's scary.  Jodi writes with such brilliance and truth from a well-educated, well-researched background.  The book makes you count your blessings and want to spout out a million more thanks for the life you've been handed.  It's a bookshelf favorite for sure and one that I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a good read over the break.

Tis The Season

Lots and lots of Christmasy, holiday-esque things have gone on these past two weeks.  I got back from my Disney/Universal vacation and apparently decided I hadn't gotten my roller coaster fix because two days later I found myself at Six Flag's Holiday in the Park:

Don't mind my green and yellow American Eagle jacket.  Circa 2002.

I would make fun of them and say the last time I went on the "Swing Ride" was when I was five.  But I actually took a spin on this treasure at Fright Fest in October (which is why I knew it would make me nauseous and opted out).

'Holiday in the Park' has been on my Dallas bucket list for a while, so checking it off the list felt good.  As with Fright Fest, I got some discounted tickets through my office so a few girls from work bundled up one evening and headed to Arlington for our fix of roller coasters, fair food, and sledding.  That's right!  We waited in line for 30 minutes to sled down a real, 25 foot snow/ice hill.  And every bit of it was magical.  (Those of you above the Mason-Dixon line are now allowed to make fun of me).

The very next night I met up with some A&M friends for our monthly hang-out.  This time we chose dining at the fantastic Twisted Root accompanied with a sleigh ride through Christmas-light abounded neighborhoods in North Dallas.  Although I was too cold to un-pocket my hands to snap some photos as evidence, it was a delightful time with good scenery and great company!

Thursday night we our last prayer group meeting before the holidays and, as always, Marcy and Lauren's apartment was decorated so nicely for the holidays!  Although I didn't snap photos because that would have been creepy, you'll just have to take my word for it that the real fire in the fireplace, Christmas dishes, and tree by the stairs really catapulted me into the last bit of holiday spirit I was missing!

Friday after work I headed to my parents' house and have spent every day since hanging out with my family, eating entirely too many delicious sweets, watching a good number of videos on VHS, grabbing drinks with friends, and sleeping in past 8am every. single. day.  It's been a great little vacation.

Some highlights of the above include:

Being TWINS with my sister for the Christmas Eve service.  We had the exact same gray jeans (we bought them together), long-sleeved black shirts, and knee-length black boots.  Unfortunately these were the only clean clothes I had and the only 'nice' clothes she had.  Twins it was!

Cleaning out the boxes in the attic...including old toys (the nearest Goodwill is about to double their stuffed animal inventory), old school papers, and old dance trophies.  

Proof that I played basketball once upon a time!  If only I had proof of the two baskets I scored that one game...

Good-bye hard work.  Too bad it's not cool to display you on my shelves like it was back in 9th grade.  I did keep out my very first ballet trophy, though, and figured I have hours of video and knees that hurt when it rains to remind me of the rest!

Exchanged presents with Steph and her girls.  Besides the fact that I can't resist buying them cute little shirts, jammies, and "lipstick"...my family decided not to do Christmas presents this year so I had to buy for someone!  I figured a bag full of running things for Steph would be more than enough motivation to keep her committed to the three upcoming races we have planned out together!  And I might have bought myself a new dry-fit shirt as the same bribe... ;)

It's back to work tomorrow for me so no more sleeping in too late or staying in pajamas until 3pm.  I think it will be good for me, though, so I planned it this way.  I think too many days of laying around or shopping incessantly or being glued to the TV can make a girl's brain turn to mush!  A little mid-week stimulation never hurt anything :)  And honestly, it's only two days...

For the last time this year, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

See ya in 2012, Santa!

Book Review: Blue Like Jazz

This is a few weeks late as I actually finished the book on my way back from Boston/New York.  However, it's just too good not to share with the world.  So without further adieu, I would like to share with you:

Once I started, I could not set this book down.  It's written by a Christian author but don't let that deter you, it's not overly "churchy" at all.  The book is a personal documentary of sorts; a "life lessons" type novel.  The author, Donald Miller, shares with his readers the discoveries he's made about life, people, and his faith.  It's one of those novels that makes you want to be a better person, reevaluate how you act, share love with everyone you meet, and strive to meet the goals you've set for your life.  It is hands down one of the best, most raw and honest novels I've ever read.

Where Dreams Come True...

If you read my blog last week, you'll know I spent the weekend in Orlando visiting Mickey, Minnie, and Harry Potter.  It was, in short, a fantastically wonderful weekend.

We got in late Thursday night and, after being picked up by Brit's cousin, headed straight to an outdoor bar for apps and mango margaritas.  Add in an eclectic band and warm weather, and I was pretty much in heaven.  We spent the night with the cousins and woke up early Friday to catch a cab to our resort.  Upon arrival we were upgraded to a two bedroom suite free of charge.  Holla!  We dropped our luggage and immediately headed out again for this glorious place:

We made a beeline for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and, after only knocking down two or three kids in the process, arrived at the magical world of HP:

It was everything I had hoped it would be.  And more.  It. Was. So. Cool.  Props to the visual designers for this gig because it was fantastic.  There were cute little details all throughout the park that really gave it an authentic feel.  Way to go, Universal!

How realistic does this guy look?!  AND he remembered us when we came for round two eight hours later.  I'll attribute it to him being great at his job, rather than us standing out for being overly obsessed.

Yes, we were the only people above the age of 9 that got their picture taken with the HP characters.  Don't judge.

You better believe I bought me some butterbeer while I was there.  I almost broke down and bought the pumpkin juice, too...fortunately for my wallet, the $8.50 price tag held me back.

I really was uber impressed with the detailing they put into this segment of the park.  Even the 'Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans' we picked up for our friend, Gretchen, at Zonko's (Yes, they had all the real Hogsmeade stores!) were true to story.  They had flavors like earthworm and vomit and earwax and grass.  And let me tell you how authentic those tasted...ick!  But I appreciated the effort they put into capturing the true HP experience.

 We eventually left Harry Potter world and ventured into the rest of the parks.  It held some pretty awesome rides and some pretty great scenery (Who-ville anyone?!).  And it was all around just great to let loose and feel like a kid again:

After the parks closed we headed to Jimmy Buffet's (overly-priced) Margaritaville for dinner and then to see one of my all-time favorite shows, The Blue Man Group.  I saw this nine years ago in Vegas and it was literally the exact same show.  Still great, though!  If you haven't seen it - go!  And if you're still holding onto your Student ID from college, use it, you'll get $60.00 off!  Win.

The next day we woke up early(ish) again and headed to Epcot.  That's one of the Disney World parks I had never been to and didn't really no what to expect (blame lack of research).  What we discovered was pure awesomeness, though.  Here's a little peek into what we did:

We started out with lunch in China, followed by a candy apple in Germany:

We then had to try a soda in Japan:

We stopped for a little photo shoot there as well:

We did a little shopping in Morocco:

And then just a tid bit of painting in France:

We watched some carolers, a patriotic marching band, and a spectacular holiday show in Old USA:

We finished up the night by riding the few rides they had to offer, dancing to a tribute band in London, and grabbing some authentic Italian dinner in Italy (duh).  We even caught some of the fireworks as we were finishing up our food!

Going to Epcot and 'visiting' all the countries just reaffirmed my thoughts on traveling the world.  There are so many places and so many things I want to see!  I'm all for a 'Morocco 2012' trip but I can't go alone!  Any takers?!

Sunday we got up, packed, and headed to a free breakfast at IHOP compliments of BCG.  I love free food.  From there we headed to Lake Jesup for an airboat tour:

It was absolutely beautiful and my pictures do not do the landscape justice at all!  It was really neat going through the swampy parts of the lake.  And, although they're camera shy so I only caught a few on film, we saw quite a few alligators on our trek!

It was a tad windy at some points...

Breath-taking.  And this doesn't even do it justice...

Alligator: top right

After the tour we snacked on spinach dip and gator-bites in the park restaurant and even got to hold a baby alligator!  Although this wasn't my first time to hold an alligator, I'm not sure I would exactly call this a 'baby'...

A quick trip to the Orlando outlets (and a little damage done to my bank account given the 70% off sale at Banana Republic) and we were en route to the airport, soon to be headed back to Dallas!  It was, as you can see, a fantastic trip.  It made me all giddy and excited, I felt like a kid again, I re-realized my dream of traveling the world, and I got to spend an entire day surrounded by nature.  Not a bad long weekend if you ask me! 

"you are once and forever a Fightin' Texas Aggie"

Exactly one year ago today I was here:

Graduating and departing from what had been some of the best 4 1/2 years of my life.

Just a little tribute to completing my first year in the real world.  Whoop!

Run Run Rudolphs

This past weekend me and a few people from my office ran a 5K together.  The Santa Run to be exact.  Our team was called the "Run Run Rudolphs."  Clever, eh?  With your registration fee, you received a five piece Santa suit.  This was, quite honestly, the clincher of a selling piece for me.  I've been looking for another 5K to run and what beats A) topping the world record of most Santas in one place and B) being able to say you ran a race in a beard?!  Sold.

Although I didn't properly prepare for the race so didn't make awesome time, I will contribute some of the extra minutes on my finish time to running in a large costume.  The other will be the fact I hadn't run in...about two weeks.  Oops :)

Here are some photos of our Saturday festivities:

I mean really, have you ever seen two cooler Santas?!

Pre-race BCGers.

Post-race BCGers.

Recruiting.  In some form or fashion...

In other athletic news...

...I went to my bootcamp class again last night.  I think our instructor got legitimately angry at Brittany and me for not doing his penguin sit-ups correctly.  Sorry my abdominals were revolting against me after a straight 55 minutes of being tortured.  Honestly not my fault.

After bootcamp I had a softball game.  Yup, still doing that!  But, contrary to most pitiful Monday nights, we actually won!  And not by a forfeit either.  It was a sincere victory in Bacca world.  Go us.

And finally, to round out my past few 'athletic-filled' days, I went to my very first ever spin class tonight. And loved every minute of it.  Thanks to my sweet friend, Gretchen, who dragged me (willingly) along and let me borrow some of her gel-seated spin shorts, I am already addicted to this class!

I feel pretty solid about my past four workouts which is grand considering I foresee lots of butterbeer and  funnel cakes in my near future.  That's right kids, in two days time I will be boarding a plane headed for this:

and this:

Disney World and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter?!  Why yes please :)