2011: Year in Review

Just like last year, I stole this from my sister's blog.

What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before? 
A few things: I lived in a foreign country (Spain), fell in love, cut my hair short, and visited New York City and Boston.

Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I resolved to fall in love, eat healthier (minus the summer, I did pretty well), and be more outgoing

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, my niece Charly was born!

What countries did you visit?
I went to Spain for 5 weeks! I also stayed in the Canadian airport overnight, but that's a bad memory!

What would you like to have in 2012 that you didn’t have in 2011?
Hmm...my Bachelor's Degree, an internship, and a next step to take!

What dates from 2011 will be etched upon your memory, and why?
july 10 - the day I told someone, "I think I love you too" & september 9: my first "heartbreak"

What was your biggest achievement of this year?
Doing study abroad and being able to pay for it without taking out any loans!


What was your biggest failure?
Not keeping as strict of diet as I should have!

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Wisdom Teeth surgery + dry socket

What was the best thing you bought?
Hmm...my entire summer adventure: Spain, Boston, NYC, Washington D.C.

Where did most of your money go?
My grand summer adventure (see a trend?)

Did you meet anyone new this year who had an impact on your life? 

Yes! I met a new best friend, Rebekah, in October.

What did you get really excited about?
I was excited about many things. One of them was participating in study abroad and visiting my sisters on the east coast! Another was taking Horsemanship. Best class ever.

What song will always remind you of 2011?
Hmmm..."Stronger" by Sara Evans and "Dimelo" by Enrique Iglesias (our "Spain" song)

Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
a) Overall, happier.
b) Well, let's go with "more curvy" ;)
c) Poorer

What do you wish you’d done more of?
Smiling when times were hard. Not worrying about things I couldn't control. More DIY projects.

What do you wish you’d done less of? 
Worrying. Haha.

How did you spend Christmas?
Going to church with my mom and sister and then opening a few presents after. It was a relaxed, beautiful day!

Did you fall in love in 2011?
I remember answering this question last year ("no, but I did fall in like a few times.") This year, yes I did.  And I learned A LOT. 

What was your favorite TV program?
I liked "The Voice."

What was the best book you read?
That's tough. I read The Help this summer and last week I read The Hunger Games series. All great books!

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Well, neither were MY discoveries, but I love The Civil Wars and Jack and White.

What did you want and get?
I wanted to do a study abroad and I did :) 

What did you want and not get?
I wanted to stay in love, but couldn't.

What was your favorite film of 2011?
The Help

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I had a great pre-birthday weekend celebration with my aunt and mom. Then I went to dinner with all my roommates (10 of us) on my birthday. I turned 21. 

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Running more.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2011?
Take risks! Wear red lipstick, mix patterns, wear those Spain oxfords, don't be afraid to wear skirts or dresses on an everyday basis, black + brown is okay, go with what you think is cute. 

What kept you sane? 
my friends & family

Who did you miss?
my sisters on the east coast, friends Hollie & Kelly up north, and my friend who is on a mission.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011. 
"It's better to look up."

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"Even on my weakest days, I get a little bit stronger." -Sara Evans "Stronger"

the civil wars.

How have I never heard of the band The Civil Wars before today? Beauty! Even though I normally refuse to listen to anything but Christmas music during December, I branched out today and fell in love with these three songs:





I love bands that sound awesome live.

and, stolen from Kelly's blog, a song from The Hunger Games soundtrack that features Taylor Swift and The Civil Wars. I started reading the series last Saturday and couldn't stop! So, I love this song even more.


Enjoy!

adventure. love. craziness.

Since it's nearing the end of the year, it is time for a little wrap-up of 2011. Last year I documented the wrap-up here and here. Maybe I'll get around to filling out the same questionnaire, but for now I just thought I'd bear a little of my soul :) Been waiting for awhile to do this ... are you ready? Or, I guess — am I?

I made a resolution this year (and this is an exact quote): "In 2011, I resolve to fall in love." See, I've loved boys. I've loved boys who are my best friends. But I'd never yet been "in love." Well, this year, it happened. And fast. It wasn't something I really planned for, even though I wrote that resolution. I normally have a plethora of crushes ... I've always been a little boy crazy. It is insane to think back on 2011 and think of less than a handful of boys that have given me butterflies. 

So, the boy I loved ... it is crazy to say that too. You read about him, saw a few pictures, and then he was gone. People always told me how happy I seemed with him. I never wrote about the breakup because I didn't know how. It was my first real heartbreak and boy did it hurt! I cried. And cried. And cried. For days and even months (not daily at that point, thankfully). We had talked about getting married. I imagined being a part of his life forever. I loved his family — and they loved me too. Going to his home felt like going home for me. I had never felt so comfortable in a place before. Honestly, my relationship with his dad was better than my relationship with my own dad. 

Sometimes I still am sad thinking about it, even though it has been three months. It does get easier as time passes. Slowly but surely. 

The lucky thing is that I've had such wonderful friends & family there for me through all of it. I didn't know how weak I was until I had my heart broken. Then I saw just how vulnerable I could be. 

So, that's a big thing that happened in 2011. But, the scariest thing was thinking, after it happened, that I would never fall in love again. Now I know that's silly thinking & I just have to believe I will. I will be a lucky girl someday when I have a guy man who loves, appreciates, and wants to be with me everyday,  forever. 

Right? Here's to more adventures in 2012. 

day 4 & combat boots.

well, it's day 4 since the surgery & my cheeks are still a little swollen, although I can somewhat smile without looking completely creepy. i've been trying to eat solid foods again, although most of the time I just regret it after when my jaw starts throbbing. one day at a time! at least i had an excuse to drink a chocolate banana shake today!


yesterday was the first time I'd left my house since the surgery and where did I go? Kohl's. I had to finish up some Christmas shopping and I had some store credit + a 30% coupon to use. And guess what I bought? Da da da....COMBAT BOOTS! :) I had a little photo shoot today, swollen face and all, just to document my new boots that I love. PS. They were free with the 30% off and merchandise credit. Merry Christmas to me.

I started singing this song when I modeled them for my mother:


And I finished my Christmas shopping! Yippee.  Enjoy the photos!

It's looking a little better, right? At least that's what I'm telling myself....

Merry Christmas Eve Eve!

day 2.

If you didn't see the post about getting my wisdom teeth out, you can read it here. I thought I'd update everyone else on what I look like on day 2.

The swelling .... well, it's there. This is what I like to refer to as "Cheri the Chipmunk."

Just in case you think that looks normal (and as a reminder to myself), this was the photo taken yesterday prior to surgery:

And, a shout out to my friends:

my tale of wisdom teeth removal.

LONG STORY (SKIP AHEAD FOR PHOTOS & VIDEO)

Alright, so I've been home a few hours & what else is a girl supposed to do on the day of getting her wisdom teeth out except for blog about the experience?

I went to get x-rays yesterday & the appointment was already set up to remove them today. They were still under the gums, but my dentist said now was as good of time as ever. Better now before the roots grow, he said. Because my dentist was performing the surgery, I wouldn't be "put under"; rather, I would just be numbed. The assistant suggested I bring my iPod (boy am I grateful for that suggestion).

So, let's be honest. I was a LITTLE bit nervous this morning. But, iPod in hand, I get ready for my wisdom teeth to be removed. The dentist proceeds to start giving me shots to numb my entire jaw. Well, as he gives me a shot for my upper jaw, the shot hits a blood vessel. Ouch. Try again. This time, it hit a nerve, which caused a shock. I was more than freaked out about that, especially because for 3-4 minutes after, I felt dizzy and couldn't see straight out of that one eye. Let's just say ... I was shaking a bit & nervous.

But, then it was time to get started. So, the iPod went on (it was definitely blasting more loudly than I'd ever listened to it before in order to tune out the drone from the instruments) with an array of artists that I'm sure the dentist & his hygienest enjoyed listening to — Justin Bieber Christmas, Iyaz, Party Rock Anthem, Maroon 5, Brandon Heath, and Hilary Weeks. I told you ... it was quite a mix. My feet were just tapping along to the sounds.

The top two came out relatively easy. But ... then it was time for the bottom. Apparently there was bone they had to cut through & then because the tooth wasn't coming out, it had to be cut into pieces. The numbness was starting to wear out, so the dentist gave me 4 more shots for my lower jaw. Nearly an hour later, the tooth was finally removed! On to the next tooth. I just kept saying prayers in my head that it wouldn't take as long. They gave me more shots before they started & although the same process had to be repeated of removing bone & cutting the tooth, it didn't take as long. The only trouble I had at the end was the fact that the dentist kept asking me to open my mouth "a little wider." Well, for one, I couldn't tell how wide I was opening it. And two, after 2+ hours, my mouth was sore. I could not keep it open!

The following thoughts swirled through my mind during the nearly 3-hour process:

"How did people do this before having medicine?"
"I should find out the history of getting wisdom teeth out ... who discovered that they need to be removed? When was that?" 
"My lips feel huge!"
"When I have a baby one day, I will definitely take advantage of the epidural."
"I'm glad i don't have a cold sore right now."
"Focus on the words of the song, not the pressure."
"If thou shall endure it well, thou shalt be exalted on high." (my personal favorite that made me crack a few smiles)

Anyway, my cheeks are gradually swelling, the numbness is wearing off, and the Loritab is kicking in. Enjoy these before & after pictures, and the video that I took in the car on the way home, when everything I said just sounded completely weird to me.

Before & after (that is really me trying to smile) 

Right outside of the dentist office. I was able to smile a little more this time.

And, the best:


For an update on DAY 2, click here.

life lately.

Have I dropped off the face of the earth? Not quite.

But, life lately has been a little crazy. I had six finals, work party, work, ugly sweater shin-digs, paint fight, moving houses, and Forgotten Carols that all fit in the space of one week.

Phew. Now I can relax. I just started reading The Hunger Games series ... and like the rest of those who have read them, I was a bit addicted. Thank goodness I have neighbors that have let me borrow the second & third book so I can stay busy for the next few days ;)

What's coming up? Tomorrow I get my wisdom teeth out! Merry Christmas to me. I'm not going to lie .... I'm a bit nervous about it :/ Because my teeth haven't come through yet, my dentist performs the surgery without me "going under." I will just be sitting there with my mouth numbed. The thought makes me quiver.

Luckily, the fridge is stocked with Greek yogurt, peppermint icecream, and jello salad (the only dish I'll eat with cottage cheese). Talk about those "soft foods" they suggested for 24 hours. Of COURSE I'll post pics if when my cheeks swell up like a chipmunk.

So, besides reading & monitoring the puffiness of my cheeks, I'll also be making my aunt's famous fudge in the next few days (another thing I thought I didn't like ... until I tried it again last year) & dipping pretzels in white chocolate & sprinkles to take to friends, and watching Christmas movies.

Before I go, here's a few pictures of some of the past week's activities:

my roommates and I had an end-of-the-semester paint fight. It was the last big "hoorah" before four of us graduate/get married/move (the last one, in my case). It was a BLAST even if took some scrubbing to get that paint out of my left ear ... I really will miss these girls. But, here's hoping for some great adventures ahead :)

Riding Horses.

This semester, I took the best class ever.  It was AGSC 1700, also known as "Horsemanship 1". We learned all the parts of the bridle, saddle, and parts of the horse. We learned how to "catch" our horses each week, how to clean the feet, "be in charge" of the horse, walk, sit correctly, lead the horse, trot, lope, go up/down hill...etc. And we had a LOT of fun. Now that there is snow on the ground, I learned to bundle up! We had pretty great weather (only 2 days of riding in the snow). For this last class, I had a few layers on and my toes were still numb by the end of class! Anyway, just thought I'd document it and show you....here goes:

 Cleaning the feet. This quite intimidated me at the beginning, especially when I'd get a stubborn horse. But, by today, it wasn't too big of a deal.

 I cut the horse's head out of the picture...woops!

 Gone riding.

 My friend Kjersti and I ended up in the same class! What a great coincedence. Here we are at the end of class, as the sun was setting.

Goodbye, lovely horses! Perhaps I'll see you in Horsemanship 2?