Where do I even begin? You were everything and nothing that I expected. Instead of lamenting all the, "I wish I did ____ this year" thoughts, let's take a look at what I did manage to do this year. Day by day and week by week, my life seems rather inconsequential and boring. But when you look at it retrospectively, perspective shifts. Forgotten are the days full of laziness, the disappointments, and the little frustrations. What you are left with is highlights of a year (hopefully) well spent.
In January I set some pretty easy
New Year's Resolutions and became a
Mac user. I started the year off strong on the fitness front and completed my
50 mile challenge. I walked, biked, and ellipticalled away the cold winter days. I started a new year full of
adventures in second grade. And began the frantic process of trying to complete and recap my
30 Before 30 list.
In February I
turned the big 29+1. I managed to
celebrate instead of bemoan my big birthday. Immediately following my birthday I was
harshly thrust into the world of adulthood. In one week I managed to deal with the
leaking and destruction of my bathroom ceiling and attend a scary DUA hearing where I had to represent myself to resolve a dispute over my unemployment benefits.
In March I took biking to the next level and
biked an entire marathon! It seemed like a really good idea and I was glad that I was able to accomplish it but man on man, did certain parts of my body hate it. I created a
soundtrack of my 30th year. And I hung out with
crazy second graders and stayed mostly healthy while they all got
the plague.
In April I was
almost bankrupted paying taxes on the previous year's unemployment benefits. That was another harsh grownup lesson. I supported the entertainment industry by seeing
The Hunger Games and
Titanic 3D in theaters. I managed to
escape to Maine for a few days to relax and recharge during school vacation.
In May I spent a lot of time not blogging. I had some
serious thoughts about the passing of time. I also took lots of pictures of clouds.
In June school ended. I dog sat while my parents took off for Alaska and I watched soooo much
Dawson's Creek. I created a
Summer Fun List of activities that I wanted to do over the summer to make it as memorable as possible. I went back to
Maine and the BFF's Weddingpalooza officially began. I ordered a dress, we made invitations, and spent lots of time being overly girly.
In July I visited my
first lighthouse of the summer and visiting every lighthouse in Maine officially became a new obsession. I drove west to
catch up with an old friend and reminisced at Katie's with soft serve. In one exhausting but amazing weekend, I helped the BFF celebrate her
bachelorette party and
bridal shower.
In August I was insanely busy. I tutored, I traveled, and I
went back to school.
M came to visit and we
explored Boston,
Concord,
Salem and
Maine in 5 days. I headed to Vermont for the
BFF's wedding weekend and wore lots of pretty dresses. My best work friends moved away. After some last minute tutoring, I returned to school to new
adventures in 3rd grade.
In September I explored
museums and
apple orchards. I
registered to vote, sat through the first of many
boring graduate classes, and had a
smoothie disaster. I said goodbye to summer and hello to fall. I created a short
Fall Fun List of things that make fall so wonderful.
In October it rained a lot. It was warm and swampy and nothing like the brisk and clear October that I love. I listened to Mumford and Sons over and over while I ran and walked many, many miles. I watched and
live-blogged some of the
Presidential debates, celebrated
10/11/12, and made it through
Hurricane Sandy.
Halloween came and went without any pumpkin carving.
In November I finally
joined the 21st century and got an iPhone! I
voted for president and
found a lot of money on the ground. I enjoyed the sunny, brisk October-like weather and headed to Maine to celebrate
Thanksgiving with my parents.
In December I was super crafty. I made my own
advent calendar and
holiday cards. I used the money I found at the mall to donate things to the food pantry, Toys for Tots, and the hat and mitten drive at school. I celebrated
12/12/12 and
baked a lot of cupcakes. I
mourned the loss of life and innocence in Connecticut. I
survived the end of the world, celebrated Christmas and completed the
2nd Annual, Unofficial Boxing Day 5K.
So 2012 I don't really know what I expected from you. I think the main take away from this year is that life is messy and you can't really plan for anything. You just have to make the best of what you have and try as hard as you can to enjoy yourself along the way.
Here's hoping for a wonderful 2013!
XOXO,
Amy
