Looking Back

I'm sitting with my sister and my dad watching the Chick-Fil-A bowl game. I've already written down my list of 2014 resolutions and I've made my grocery list of food to purchase on Friday night after work.

So, 2014 was a pretty awesome year. I'm sure there are plenty of things I could update you on since the last time I posted in November, however, you should just follow me on social media, including Instagram.

There's also another reason I haven't blogged that much this year. One of my 2013 resolutions was to journal for 365 consecutive days. I'm happy to report that I did it. I completed it. And because I was documenting my world there, I didn't end up doing it here on the blog. 

But let's review how awesome 2013 was:

1. Birthday

Honestly, I have hated birthdays for a long time. But 2013 brought some magic back in. I have to thank Julia and Lindsey for their part in making my birthday party and letting the celebrations continue out for extra days. And also for...

2. Disneyland

It was magical. I have no other word for it. The memories of those three days in the park have carried me through some of the more difficult moments of the year. I miss it. I want to go back. It was just that fun.

3. New York

Being able to travel this year has been so exciting for me. As someone who takes relatively few risks, it was fun to say yes and just enjoy the few days in the city. And getting to go see a Broadway musical was a highlight.

4. Boston

Beautiful city. I fell in love. I had a feeling I would. For the literary historical nerd that I am, it was a match made in heaven. I have a feeling that Boston and I will be seeing more of each other in the future (or at least I hope so).

5. Dream Husband

So, let's be honest, this year hasn't been the one where I struck gold. I finally tried online dating and have found some serious duds. Apparently, the only guys in a 30 mile radius can text easily but refuse to make any sort of movement forward or they get mad when you don't respond to a text on a Friday night. The ones that do suggest that you should meet end up not reading social cues and making for really awkward moments (and trust me... I earned the chocolate my old boss gave me for sticking through those traumatic dates). It was a blessing to meet Josh Groban. I'm holding out for him, people. Unless someone sends me another option (which... I'm completely open to).

6. Pretty

This year I've worked REALLY hard to lose weight. Not just to look good, but I've really tried to teach myself healthy choices. While I haven't always succeeded, I have lost weight and I have found some confidence in myself and my looks. I consider this a win.

So there it is. 2013 in review. 2014 sure has a lot to live up to. Although, I will graduate in May (as long as I pass my last two classes). It also means that I'm a little more free to look and discover some new adventures. So my resolutions are all about improving my skills and also saying "yes" to new opportunities and new friends. If any of you know any people who I should meet or opportunities I should pursue, please give me a shout via the comments below, Twitter, Facebook, Google+, or my email. 

It's Fall!!

Fall is upon us. Although I loathe the thought of snow, I cherish the hot chocolate, the scarves, the sweaters, and the smells of pumpkin, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. 

Not going to lie. Kind of wish I was back there reliving this whole adventure.

I wish I could tell my stories—I have lots from this month. 

Good dating stories. (AKA I mean stories that I have to tell and laugh about because otherwise I will end up crying because they're just awful).

Seriously. These things shouldn't happen in real life.

Alas, because I've chosen to keep the blog open to the public, I cannot share these stories for fear that those poor men will stalk me (which I know of one that currently is doing that). If you want to know, I'm happy to share via phone call, email, or in person.

All I ask is that afterwards you tell me that it's really okay that I didn't choose to go on a second date with these guys. That I could do better.

Other than dating stories, I'm dressing warmly...

Spending lots of time at the gym.

Struggling to get through my homework and final projects for school (PS... I'm totally blogging in order to avoid doing more....),

trying to get my feet under me after an onslaught of projects at work,

and counting down until I'm back in San Diego for Christmas. 

Fall is beautiful.

Meeting My Future Husband...

Before I headed off to Boston, my college roommate, Sara, emailed me with a crazy idea to go to Josh Groban in October. I like Josh and I figured that if I'm not traveling for the last quarter of the year, I might as well hit up a good concert. So I agreed.

It was a lot of fun. Sure I didn't jump out of my seat and start dancing like at Lady Antebellum concerts but he does have a beautiful voice. And he's funny. That's important. He's hilarious.

After the concert ended, Sara requested that we find the bus and that we wait for Josh to come out. Because he would. And he'd sign her cd. Being the awesome hostess that I am, I directed her to where I knew the buses would be and waited in line with some of the craziest (legit... they should have been locked up) women ever. 

We had our plan. Sara was right up against the barrier with her cd for Josh to sign. I had the phone out to snap pictures of Josh. I decided that I'd have him sign my ticket since that was the only thing I had besides my temple recommend for him to sign. 

His bus pulled up, his security guard escorted him down the line (before which the guard had given us very strict instructions regarding protocol). Josh started signing away. People were shoving their way in. My plan was to just reach out, have him sign my ticket and then step back and snap pictures.

However, things kind of... changed. 

You see, Josh got to me, signed my ticket and instead of moving right along, he did a double take, smiled and said, "hi." 

My flustered mind (as is the normal case when it comes to men...) took a minute to grasp that Josh Groban had just acknowledged me. I think I smiled at him (maybe I was too worried about staying in an upright position to remember if I smiled) and said "hello" in that cute shy way I tend to do. He then moved on to Sara.

Yep. Josh Groban, ladies and gentlemen. Smiled and said hello and got a good look at yours truly.

If all else fails and I never find a husband, please let it be noted that Josh Groban took in the sight of me and it made him smile. 

PS... I totally wish I had a clearer picture. And that I was standing next to him. Will someone please help make this happen? Perhaps for a 31st birthday present? 

The Things That Happened Without You Really Knowing About It

Clearly, I don't blog enough these days. I somehow barely manage to get homework in on time, so blogging is rarely in the forecast. So here's an update on how September went for me...

I got a couple of tickets to the James Taylor, Utah Symphony, Mormon Tabernacle Choir concert. I had to change nights at the last minute and my friend Julie was able to come with.

Loved James. He was great.

 A couple of my coworkers and myself decided that we needed to be crafty and have a project. So we started working on a quiet book...

Yep. Only the cover page is completed. I now have craft homework besides my real homework. Fun for me.

Chopped

My hair has gotten rather long and slightly unruly. In fact, I was kind of sick of it. And I've been losing weight (Huzzah!) so I decided that it was time to do something completely drastic. 

Before

After

The damage:

No color this time. My color looked good and honestly, it was a big enough change to go from long hair to short, I didn't want to freak myself out!

I'm still getting used to it (it's been a month). I have to style it. No ponytail for me.

But I do like it. It's a nice change.

Boston: Day 6

I know... it's taking me forever to get around to this. Things are really busy these days.

Anyways, Saturday was our last day. So we awoke early, dressed, packed up and checked out of our hotel and put our luggage in storage before heading out.

First up was to head to the Harbor Islands, specifically to Georges Island. 

Georges Island is home to a fort and a prison used during the Civil War. We had an hour to wander around and give ourselves a self-guided tour.

The dark tunnels and pathways were pretty creepy. 

On top of the fort.

I had to use the flash. The darkness was just too terrifying.

After hitting up Georges Island, we decided to go to Fenway Park. Unfortunately the tour was sold out and we had to sign up for a later time. So we headed off to Harvard.

Unfortunately, the T broke down and left us stranded for 40 minutes. We arrived at Harvard with enough time to walk onto campus, snap 2 pictures, and then get some lunch and leave for Fenway.

Fenway was amazing. It would have been better to watch a game played there. But we have to take what we can get.

Windy day...

View from the press box.

After Fenway, we headed back to the hotel to get our bags and take a taxi back to the hotel. Thus ended our adventure in Boston. Loved the city. Can't wait to go back.

JFK Presidential Library and Freedom Trail

And I'm back again... to blog more about Boston. Because starting Day 5, that's when Beth was no longer in her conference all day and we could hit all of the sites!

First up, we headed out to the JFK library. I've always been fascinated with the Kennedys and so it was a thrill for me to geek it up at the Presidential museum. 

At the metro stop where we caught the shuttle to the museum, I saw this...

Apparently we don't do it like the British do (see Doctor Who/Tardis)

It's right next to UMass and right on the water. Very pretty.

I took plenty of pictures inside the museum, but here are a few favorite things that I saw.

Shortly after the assassination, Jackie Kennedy was interviewed about her husband and his presidency. Her quotes were found all around the museum to give perspective.

I adored this quote. I felt an affinity to JFK because I'm always reading.

"I wish I had had more good times."

I reflected on that. I too wish that I enjoyed my life a bit more than I do and maybe didn't complain so much about missed opportunities and what not.

Again... affinity with books.

I saw this quote when I first saw Thirteen Days and I loved it. 

I also fell in love with Jackie Kennedy. 

According to the 1947 yearbook entry she was most known for her wit. (I hope that someone says that about me one day).

Her ambition: Not to be a house-wife.

Made me laugh.

Gorgeous weather.

After that, we headed back into town and I made us each lunch at the Hard Rock Café.

Maybe you will laugh but I've always wanted to eat at a Hard Rock Café. It was the thing to do in the 90s, I swear, and I was a kid then... so I never went.

Proof that childhood wishes do come true...

And then we went back to the Boston Commons to start on the Freedom Trail.

This was the thing that everyone told us to do (besides Mike's Pastry).

This was the visitor's center where we spent $3 and got a map.

Beth played navigator.

Stop 1 of Freedom Trail... The Boston Commons.

Stop 2: State Capitol

Off the beaten path: I wanted to live in one of these buildings.

Stop 3: Park Street Church

Inside Park Street Church.

Beth's boss called and she had to answer. I made her take a picture.

Stop 3: Old-time cemetery.

No... Ben Franklin is not buried there, but his parents are!

The no longer existing gravestone to the left is apparently Mother Goose's grave marker.

Paul Revere's final resting place.

John Hancock...

The fallen men of the Boston Massacre.

Sam Adams

Some church... I can't remember which...

Goofing off in one of the sites...

And... a hall... I can't remember which. Look it up.

Where the Boston Massacre took place. Maybe I should have looked more somber...

In front of Paul Revere's house

The Old North Church (one if by land... two if by sea)

Boston...

USS Constitution/Old Ironside

Me driving Ol' Ironside

And yes... we did hike up to Bunker Hill.

It was a long walk and we were both tired but we went!

After all that we went back down to our hotel and found a nail place and got manicures and pedicures. Pampering is always good for the soul. Then we wandered around trying to find somewhere to get some food.

Sadly... it was closed.

We ended up at Trader Joe's and then got back to the hotel around 9:30 and turned on a movie. I'm telling you, we really enjoyed the night life in Boston!