2010: year in review

2010 was quite the year. I didn't really know how to explain it until I read my aunt's facebook status update and she described it as the year of "the good, the bad, and the ugly." That's how I feel. I can't say it was a terrible year, as I got my first very own apartment, traveled, met some new great people, enjoyed good health and a healthy family, and welcomed two new baby nephews into the world. However, I also lost my boss who I adored, then lost my own job, and other various things that definitely fit into the "bad and ugly" category.

That being said......this was my year:

In December 2009:

I wrapped up the year with two of my high school favorites, Megan and Gina. The poor things were born and raised and still live in sunny southern California, and when they came out we had the largest storm since I'd moved to New York. It was insane.

In January:

I spent some quality time with my dad and Brad over Chinese when they had coordinating business trips to the big apple.

In February:

We celebrated my dad's 60th in Boston. I gave him a book I'd put together of photos from his life and letters from his family and friends wishing him a happy birthday and telling some of their favorite memories with him.

Went to see A View from the Bridge starring Scarlett Johansson and Liev Shreiber. I chatted with Liev for a second after and snapped (a very blurry) photo, and then developed a new crush.

Spent Presidents' Weekend (and Valentine's Day) in a house in Vermont with friends.

Spent an evening with Mad.

Invested in a DSLR and Ed took me shooting and taught me a few things.

We had fun playing around with super slow shutter speeds in Grand Central.

In March:
I spent a week in Rio de Janeiro with Jeff and Marcus.

Went hanggliding over Copacabana and told everyone it felt like how I would imagine it feels to fly on an Avatar dragon. It was super fun.

Fell in love with Buzios, where we spent one night.

Began my serious love affair with the Jackie O. Reservoir in Central Park, where I run my blues away.

Walked the red carpet at the TriBeCa Film Festival with Ashley and Kambria. Saw Renee Zellweger, Helena Bonham Carter, and shook Forest Whitaker's hand.

In April:
Took my first trip to DC with Court to visit Jac, and went to the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Acted a fool in front of the capital building.

Loved the tulips.

Really enjoyed seeing the monuments at night.

Went to Dallas to visit friends and family, and couldn't get over the fact that Will and Jess have four kids under the age of four. I can't even imagine!! It wasn't too long ago we were in college and they were just dating.

Walked the Brooklyn Bridge and got ice cream with Melmo and A$, chatted, gossiped, and realized what a small world we live in, when they came to visit the big apple.

Laughed and laughed over Serendipity frozen hot chocolate with Rachel, and spent most of the weekend with the Burns girls during their visit to NYC.

In May:
Gave my mom the surprise of her life when I showed up at 10pm in the house on Mother's Day weekend (but didn't get a single picture with her!) Also surprised Meg at her bridal shower that same weekend.

Gossiped with Gina at Meg's shower.

Enjoyed breakfast with the kids on a sunny Saturday.

Was pressured into going to Duck Beach again, even though I swore I was done going. It ended up being my favorite year.

Went to tons of Yankees games.

In June:
Was spoiled rotten by my boss on my birthday.

And my friends (who know me way too well.)

Blew out the candles with Britt.

Enjoyed being entertained by Jamar, as always.

Reconnected once again with my musketeers, Meg and G, at Meg's rehearsal dinner.

Helped Meg celebrate the most important day of her life.

Went camping in the Catskills.

In July:
Spent the 4th celebrating Nad's birthday in Boston.

Enjoyed having one of my favorite married couples, Becky and Sean, out in New York.

Got down at the Yankees game, on one of the hottest, most humid days of the year.

Learned how to trapeze.

Met a tall drink of water.

In August:
Was a bridesmaid for the eleventh time at Aimee's LA wedding.

Spent a week in California, and then roadtripped to SLC, and then Rexburg, and back. Enjoyed spending time with all my grandparents, especially picking raspberries with my grandpa.

Spent time with Chels on campus at my alma mater in the bookstore.

Ended my two weeks of vacation in San Francisco for a girls' weekend with Chelse and Becky.

Continued my love affair with the reservoir.

Went to a Sadie Hawkins party with Mikey Perkey.

Spent a weekend with 16 friends in the glory that is the Berkshires. It was actually a little chilly that weekend so we cranked the pool up to 90 degrees and pretty much stayed there all weekend.

In September:

Got my very own apartment on the Upper West Side! (Probably the best part of 2010.)

Watched the Yankees from the 12th row.

Enjoyed plenty of rooftop BBQs.

Spent a weekend in Rhode Island with friends.

Had endless shenanigans with Court and Em.

In October:
Spent a girls only weekend in the Berkshires, relaxing, watching baseball, and going to the spa. (And made my very first fire, which you see in the background, which I was very proud of and couldn't stop talking about, despite the help of the Duraflame log.)

Died over the fall foliage.

Loved and hated the fact that I now live on the same block as Magnolia.

Got down with my bad self on Halloween dressed as a baseball player.

Continued to love the reservoir, in spring, summer, and fall.

Set up a Skype account and Skyped with mom.

In November:
Stumbled across the premier of Megamind at the theater on the next block and saw Ben Stiller and Brad Pitt.

Watched the marathon and was able to see so many friends thanks to the Road Runner iPhone app that tracked everyone.

Got super inspired, and cried, several times.

My mom came out for a visit and we enjoyed an unusually warm weekend for November, and loved the still changing leaf colors.

Enjoyed brunch at Norma's.

Loved the view from the Top of the Rock of Central Park and upper Manhattan.

Spent Thanksgiving Day in New Hampshire with almost all my family and couldn't get enough of Hudson and Madeline.

In December:
Met the most popular girl in the blogosphere, Piper Jane.

Went to the Brandon Flowers concert with Emilee.

Continued loving the reservoir through the winter, even though my lungs wanted to go on strike from the painful cold air.

Turned on my oven for the first time (haven't used it since) to do a little holiday baking.

Got my first Christmas tree, which brought me an embarrassing amount of joy, and I named her Tanya (the tannenbaum.)

Went to Annual Bake Day in Dallas. Baked all. day. long. And had so much fun with my mom, aunt, and cousins.

Took a spur of the moment trip to California the day after getting laid off (Dec 13) and couldn't get enough of sweet Huddy Buddy.

Carted my mom all over southern California after her surgery, and had fun stealing her scooter and riding it around the house (until I ran into a wall....)

Cleaned out my closet and bedroom at my dad's request and came across some treasures.

Spent Christmas in New Hampshire.

Came back to a snowed-in big apple.

Felt pretty good about my ornament collection (mostly travel, still have a few to get.)

Top to bottom, left to right: San Francisco, Australia, Maine, gift from Meg, Brazil, Yankees World Series, San Antonio, Lake Placid, and Texas.

After being gone for two weeks after getting laid off, came home to a box of my belongings that were shipped to me. Sort of depressing. I was happy to also come home to a bunch of holiday cards. Thank you!!

Counted down the last seconds of 2010 in London.

I can't say I was sad to see 2010 end. Looking forward to 2011 and all it has to offer.