Thank You 2013

The flurry of Christmas and other holiday related activities are now over. My coat is zipped up to my chin and our little space heater is keeping my toes warm. I’m sipping a lukewarm homemade latte that DFJ made before leaving for work. He left for work hours ago but I sometimes like to save my coffee for thinking time. I like to think that it helps me write better or come up with quality ideas. But really all I can think of right now is how much more delicious my latte is with whole milk, I'm sticking with this.

We celebrated Christmas with DFJ’s family… good food, gorgeous mini-cookies, wine, presents, a big house party with friends and family from all over the world, downtime, workouts, yoga, cold walks with the dog, dishes, and football. It was fun, as always. New Year’s was pretty low key. It involved homemade crab pizza (which was more fancy crackerish than doughy), delicious DFJ margaritas, and beer for DFJ and his brother. I remember apples, hard cheese, and pistachios for hors d’oeuvres; pizza and football then Futurama; frantic running through a muddy path in the dark to catch the fireworks display; candy spilling out of my coat pocket; and falling asleep on the couch. We didn’t do a countdown nor kiss each other when the clock struck midnight. How did we miss that? Somehow I do not remember much except for an image of DFJ and his brother staring up at the fireworks looking like star-struck little boys as 2013 slipped by. The next day we lounged around watching football and then we bundled up and went on a New Year's Day hike at a historic park in the twilight... the only girl amongst DFJ and his brothers. They are now my brothers too. Funny how life connects you to people like that. Seeing them together makes me smile but I also can't help feeling a twinge of jealousy about the fact that his family is close by and mine is thousands of miles away.  

Today, I am writing to bid 2013 a proper goodbye. Oh what a crazy year!  

January: DFJ and I went cross country skiing in Winthrop, WA and I found my winter sport!

February: A whirlwind of emotions went back and forth but we still ended up getting engaged on Valentine’s Day under a smiling sliver of moonlight on a cold, windy night on our special bridge.

March: Juggled work with wedding preparations, Greencard paperwork, and so on...

April: WE GOT MARRIED! We also went on our first outdoor trip of the year with special friends (Eagle Creek, OR).

April 6th, 2013

May: DFJ got a job offer in Maryland, which meant we had to move and I had to quit my job. It was equal parts exciting and heartbreaking (maybe a bit more heartbreaking).

June: Barely got through my last days of work without crying. My heart broke a thousand times over when I waved goodbye to the last school bus. DFJ and I flew East for a wedding, house hunting, and beaching.

Baltimore, MD

Long Beach Island, NJ

July: Packing and cleaning the apartment. Preparing for our wedding reception. Cramming trips and outdoor activities here and there. Our beautiful wedding reception with all our Washington friends. A trip to Bend, OR (someday, DFJ and I will live there).

JOE!

Wallula Gap, WA

Coeur de A'lene, ID

7-27-13 Wedding Reception in Selah, WA

Mt. Bachelor, OR

August: We drove across the country: WA to MD... 2,700 miles. WHEW! A few stops to see friends and family along the way (Idaho and Colorado) and some play time on the bright orange rocks and arches in Moab, UT. 

Idaho

Arches National Park, Moab, UT

Canyonlands, Moab, UT

St. Louis, MO

September: Settling in… While DFJ was busy working, I was busy reading all my books prior to yoga teacher training, and buffing up for it too.

October: YogaWorks Teacher Training in New York City with Jenny Aurthur. A most unforgettable experience! During the course of the training, I lived with my aunt in New Jersey and commuted to the city every day. It was a treat to live with her family... it's been so long since I have been pampered like a child. 

November: A big birthday for me! This chocolate angel food cake with mocha frosting that DFJ made as a surprise melted my heart. Can you tell how old I am?  NYC: I fell in love with The High Line and Bleecker Street. Sunset in DC. Thanksgiving with my in-laws in Pennsylvania and a homecoming/post-wedding party for DFJ and I hosted by his parents. I married the most wonderful man and gained a wonderful family. 

December: Holiday festivities. Getting ready for new opportunities: substitute teaching and yoga teaching. Holy schmolly! I am really going to start teaching yoga and cannot tell you how so very anxious and excited I am about this. Most of my December days (pre-holiday) were spent reflecting and musing. I wondered about what I really wanted to do with my life and still haven’t found a good answer. One thing for sure is that I am ready to have a brighter perspective and live fully each day. 

On a completely unrelated note, DFJ bought these flowers at the grocery store on December 8th and half of them are still pretty and sitting in fresh water on our dining table. The cinnamon rolls are long gone though...  

In a nutshell, 2013 was a very big year for us… a year full of new beginnings, fun adventures, and promises of a wonderful life together. We still have a lot of growing up to do, many friends to see, places to travel, families to visit, and endless responsibilities. All of these things await in 2014, but for today, we are thankful for all that 2013 has given to us. Here’s to 2013!

To the man I love… you are the best and I am lucky to have your hand to hold forever.

To my family… I love you all and cannot wait to come home!

To my friends… let’s start planning our meet-ups!  

To online friends… I wish you all the best this year!

Happy new year everyone!