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: