Looking forward and looking back

01jan 14

So New Years naturally brings about some amount of reflection and resolutions.  What was the year like, what did I learn and what do I want to work to change for next year... Also how am I spending the last day of the year.   All very important, or at least noteworthy questions. 

Let's start with the easy one, New Year's Eve... What did I do? 

First I got very dolled up, new bra and everything ( is that an overshare... Don't care) 

Mirror selfie not withstanding, I was looking pretty cute... This was because Ben invited me to a party held at his friend Daniel's house.  I was pretty excited to actually have something to do and knew it would be a good time. We took the T over (Daniels house is near symphony hall) which meant I managed not freeze. There was lots of fun, a midnight count down, and trip to roof. Staying up way later then I ever like, accompanied by Dunkin donuts coffee in the morning.  All in all a pretty good way I ring in the new year. 

Moving on, how was 2013? 

Overall 2013 was a pretty good year. With every passing year I become more confident a self assured so that is always a  good thing.  Let's divert to bullets for time

- ran Disney princess marathon with laurel (which now that I'm thinking about it I sort of forgot that was this year. ) 

- decided to take the plunge and do yoga teacher training... Starting jan 2014

- went to Wanderlust Austin in November. It was an amazing time, full of good yoga and good people. 

- actually went to Florida twice... Again, not including the Disney trip... Lots of Florida this year I guess. 

- cooked most of thanksgiving dinner (minus the turkey and dessert ) 

- learned to row on the water and rowed in my first race

- started rock climbing, and LOVE it

-started hiking again 

so what initially started as it was a slow year is clearly not the case.  I've definitely done some stuff this year.  So go me.... I mean even when it feels like a slow year it clearly was a pretty good and eventful year.  And here is to the next year being even more full of adventures and self discovery. 

Looking forward?  Whats the plan for 2014?  

In terms of stuff to do, I don't have anything planned for this year yet.  But i have determined at least a few things I want to work on.  I mean its always good to work on ourselves.   The first is continuing to accept myself for who I am.  I think I'm tons better then I used to be, but still think its something to work on.  2013 had many instances where I recognized I was undervaluing myself in one why or another.  SO this year I will be working to not do that.  Because I am awesome...its my blog, i can say that... 

The second sort of goes along with that, and can be summed up in one word calm.  What does that mean?  I'm going to work on my internal anxiety.  I have realized in 2013 that alot of my anxiety was wrapped up in my thoughts about what I thought people thought of me... confused yet, so since that is almost always completely FALSE.  I am going to work to release those thoughts from my head and not let my head plan tricks on me to increase my anxiety.    I act like I'm invisible because I expect people not to notice me, so when they don't because I act invisible its a self fulfilling prophecy.  Soooo lets cut the anxiety and let my voice be heard...because its a damn good voice, cussing and all 

I'll leave you with one of my favorite songs of this year... that has pretty much completely amazing lyrics 

Two years

07dec13

Another year has gone by since my life was changed forever, and it's been a great year. I decided last year that every December 7th I'm going to do something special and celebrate life and the happiness that I have, that even though bad shit happened, I'm still hear and still doing my thing. 

This year I spent some time in the natural world. Ben and Daniel and I discussed possible hiking locations. We settled on Dogtown in Gloucester. 

So Saturday started relatively early, got but and pack up lots of snacks and water and bundled up, and made my way to Bens. I will first day thank you GOD the weather report was wrong. It was likely supposed to snow, and though it was still pretty cold, it was bright and sunny. 

After meeting up we drove up to Gloucester to meet Daniel for brunch.. Cause who doesn't love brunch, I mean really. 

We went to George's. 

http://www.udine4less.com/georgescoffeeshop/

It was quite tasty and very cute. And we had a very chatty waitress that reminded me of when I was doing the breakfast crowd on Sundays at cabots. High schoolers are so fun to talk to, sometimes. 

We fueled up and made our way to Dogtown. It was very pretty and really quite there. There was a few big climbing boulders scattered around the area and they also had some words scattered around. 

First we found a reservoir. I love water so that was awesome. 

It was gorgeous. And there was a big boulder that we climbed up. 

The rest of the area was wooded. And had fun boulders. I climbed one. Which was fun, but a little scary coming down. 

The rock carvings were cool too! 

And kind of random

The mandatory tree pose infront if this one. This was the second boulder the boys climbed. I did not because I had a feeling even if I got to the top, climbing up that crack you can see in the picture, getting down would have been a bit of a spaz attack. 

We got back to the cars just as it got really dark.  And we made our way back to Cambridge. It was a relaxing rest of the day. 

We were going to watch Silence of the lambs... But that didn't happen because it wasn't on netflix streaming. 

We had the most random dinner I've had in awhile 

And dozed / watched the Glatiator :) 

All in all another great dec 7