Reflections on 2013

2013 was another year full of transitions. I finished as a practicum student and became an intern. I moved neighborhoods again. I joined even more leagues and met even more new awesome people.

Some highlights:

• meeting some new awesome people (Shelby, Justin, Meghan, Christine, Nate, Rob, Abeer, Rocio, Haroon, Dora, my softball/kickball team, and I know there were more I'm not even mentioning here).
• playing some more competitive volleyball and having the time of my life
• awesome volleyball tournaments and just playing on the beach having one of the best summers ever
• achieving personal goals while running the Soldier Field 10 miler and the Rock 'n Roll half.
• meeting David Cook and Sara Bareilles!
• climbing my third 14er, Gray's Peak
• celebrating 2 years in the city I love

Ready for 2014 and all the amazing possibilities that come along with it.

Namaste

Namaste means I bow to you. The spirit in me honors the spirt in you.

We say it after each yoga class. At the beginning of class we set an intention for ourself or someone else. We honor that intention through our practice and we honor ourselves and one another.

I would do yoga every day if I could. I never leave without feeling better physically, mentally, and spiritually. I leave knowing that I have a divine energy within me, and I need to honor that by being kind to others and always kind to myself as well.

So go do some yoga. It's good for the soul.

Decisions

What if I had taken that internship in Grand Junction, Colorado?

For those of you who don't know, I was offered an internship in Grand Junction mere hours before I was offered an internship at Niles West here in Skokie. I had literally just gotten on the train from the interview at Niles when I got a phone message from Grand Junction. I listened to my heart and here I am...but what if I had gone there?

It is SO crazy to think how decisions like this ripple on and on and we can never truly know what would've happened if we had chosen differently.

Ohmygoodness October is over!

Ohmygoodness, I didn't post for all of October! I have been kinda stressed out with work. I'm stressed because there never seems to be enough time in the day, all I've been doing is things that I don't have a lot of experience in, and I'm really lacking confidence in myself.

On a different note, I have had tons of thoughts pass through my mind for things I wanted to write on here. So I'll just pick and choose a few of them. This may lack some coherence.

Summer was freaking magical. When I run down towards the lakefront path every now and then, I just think about being out there on the beach all summer having the time of my life. I can almost still taste summer. It's slipping away and I'm finding it hard to let go this year.

I've been pretty busy with leagues. I'm in two vball leagues (one intermediate, one rec). The intermediate one is a blast because it's more challenging and it's pushing me to become better. The rec league is filled with some of the greatest people I know, and I can tell we are going to have an absolute blast each week. I also played in a softball/kickball league. This was my first non-vball league. It's humbling playing something you're not necessarily skilled in. The people I met through that were awesome amazing too.

I have a secret to reveal to y'all now. I can swim. Like if you dropped me in a pool I could legit not die. I've been working on it since July and have come a really long way. As in when I first started learning I was kinda freaking to put my head in the water. This is big for me. It's been on my bucket list for a while. Now I just have to get better so when I go to Greece I can swim in the Caldera and when I go to Australia I can get my scuba license and swim the Great Barrier Reef.

Ok....Less than Three. How cool was that??? Meeting one of my favorite idols and just one of the people I admire most in Susane Colsanti was an amazing experience. She's just as awesome in person as I knew she would be. I feel like I've lost a bit of my positivity and confidence over the past month or so because work has been so new and challenging. Seeing her helped me remember that I need to believe in myself and believe in the knowing. We'll see you in New York for those cupcakes!

 The conference itself was great too--all about anti-bullying. It was a room full of people united for the same cause. Bullying isn't acceptable, should never be acceptable, and it's time for us to stand up for those who feel they can't stand up for themselves. I've seen firsthand what can happen to these kids when we don't help to stand up for them and it breaks my heart. <3 conference was a great start.

Well I would so write more but it is time to go to bed. Another week. Let's do this.

Internship year

I've been at my internship for about 4 weeks now so I figure it's time for an update on my life.
The first week we just did training, which was nice to get to know our supervisors better before the students came. Things are starting to become a little more solidified with our schedules too. This year I get to work with four amazing school psychologists with three being my direct supervisor at some point during the year. I get to do a variety of things too, and it's crazy different from working at CPS (Chicago Public Schools) last year. I am doing counseling of individual students (both gen ed and special ed), working on teams of deans, counselors, academic advocates (people who work with kids who need extra help with hw and organization) and my supervisor, run groups with supervisors (right now I will be doing a post-hospitalization check-in group, transfer group, a group for freshman students with emotional disabilities, a group for students dealing with sexual orientation issues, and I may get to do another group at some point. I also will be doing evaluations for special ed, but much fewer than last year and less testing.

I also have been doing check-ins with students who are considered at-risk.
In October, I will start a rotation (going every week once a week) to a local junior high to work and get more experience with younger kids.

Each day I learn more and more and if I'm being honest, it makes my brain hurt sometimes. But I think this is going to be an amazing year and I'll be ready to start my real job after this year. It's a good feeling.

Epic, Amazing Summer

• Oh man! I cannot believe how long it has been since I've written on here. Things have been so crazy and busy and awesome and amazing that I haven't found the time to write. This summer was absolutely one of the best of my life. Every day there was soething new and exciting to do--dancing, beach volleyball (lots and lots of beach volleyball), festivals, concerts, parties, baseball games, I could go on and on. I'll try to just quickly hit a few highlights. There's just too much to go into detail. Here we go:
• Volleyball tournaments at North Avenue--I did three of these. They were absolutely some of the best days ever. You lose all track of time. You play matches and you lie around on the beach taking in the sun and talking. We went into the second round of the playoffs twice, and last time, we got second place overall in coed sixes rec. 
• Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon--I trained hard for this race. Followed an intermediate plan and it paid off. The race was in July and I met my goal time of coming in under 2 hours 30 minutes by coming in around 1 hr 59 minutes. It was absolutely one of the most difficult things I have ever done but completely worthwhile and amazing. Showed me my strength.
• Dancing at Crocodile--met up with some of my old teammates to go dancing at this bar I really love. We had the best time catching up, laughing, and dancing. Perfection. 
• Blackhawks Stanley Cup Champions--Watched some of the playoffs and the championship games at bars and had a great time seeing what winning can do to a city. The parade made me psyched for when the Royals finally win it all.
• 4th of July--My friend Shelby hosted a party at her house for the 4th. It was such a good time. I met all kinds of amazing people and hopefully started a new tradition.
• Wind down Wednesday--Went on a boat ride and listened to music at Navy Pier with some friends. Stayed out dancing and watched the fireworks. 
• Concert in park and picnic--Finally got to have a picnic at the Grant Park Music Festival with friends and it was every bit as fun as I knew it would be! 
• Brunch--I organized a brunch get-together with some of my friends who also invited some of their friends. Again, got to meet some amazing new people and had a wonderful time.
• Wine and Painting--I also organized a wine and painting night after buying a groupon. It was so fun getting a bunch of friends together who only knew each other though me. It also made me realize how much I've been missing crafting by being so busy!
• Great Urban Race--Sara, Justin, and Justin's friend Darnell, and I did the GUR, which was an absolute blast. You race around the city in a giant scavenger hunt. Can't wait to do it again this month with crazier challenges.
• I climbed another mountain!--Sara and I summited Gray's Peak in Colorado--our third 14er. So proud.

 Half Marathon

 Wind Down Wedneday (Meghan and me)

Abeer and me at Blackhawks Victory Parade

New friend, Beck, who  I met for the second time at 4th of July Party

 Shelby's epic 4th of July Party

Dora and the Explorers Team dancing at Crocodile

Abeer, Meghan, and me at a volleyball tournament

Brunch!

Beck, Shelby, Meghan, and me at Wind Down Wednesday

Life is only as good as the memories we make

This weekend was incredible.
Friday was the Blackhawks victory parade. It was insane. Seemed like most of the city skipped out on work to watch the players ride by holding the Stanley Cup. It was a really cool experience and made me long for the Royals to win even more. That night we won our bracket in the volleyball playoffs!

Saturday I went for my long run of the week and I had to tough it out this time. Then we tried to play beach volleyball and practice for our tournament in two weeks. The wind was insane though and blew the ball all over the place. It was like 65 degrees too so not exactly beach weather. Then that evening I did a trolley tour to various bars to try different craft beers with some volleyball teammates. It was a ton of fun.

Today I slept in and didn't feel like I could handle all the noise and chaos of the parade so I just hung out in my apartment until yoga. Then I went to Summerfest on Southport to hang with some friends and listen to this awesome 80s band called The Wedding Band.

Awesome weekend. Just gotta make it through a tough Monday and then I can have another amazing week!

Hawks win!

What an epic night.

I have never had a team win anything before or even come close, and tonight my adopted team now that I'm a Chicagoan, won the Stanley Cup!!!!
I went to watch the game with my friend, Abeer, at a bar in Lakeview. We had a complete blast. Hawks were down 2-1 with 3 minutes left and then scored and then scored again. Pretty much all hell broke lose, beer was thrown in the air, and I have never been so excited in my life. Good thing I didn't wait until the Royals won to celebrate like this. By the time they win it all I'll break a hip celebrating because I'll be 100 years old.

What an epic experience and an epic night. Hope I can go to the victory parade.

Chicago, I freaking love you.
Go Hawks!

Summer in the city

Such a fun weekend. Played in my first ever beach volleyball tournament this Saturday. It started early in the morning (ick) on North Avenue Beach. It was such a beautiful day, though. We got a deal where we got entry to the tournament plus all you can drink beer from 10-4. We didn't enjoy the free alcohol as much as we may have if we hadn't been trying to win. Our team was actually pretty darn good, and we made it to the second playoff round. We killed it in the first round too.

It was just an all-around wonderful day in this city that has become my home. I'm definitely not jaded yet. I was standing there on the beach taking in the view of the lake and the city and thinking how lucky I am to have this opportunity.

Chicago has gotten its hooks in me, and I don't know if it's gonna let go. It's home.

Here are some pics of the tournament.

Soldier Field 10 Miler

Writing this blog on the train on the way to visit Heather. This morning I ran the race of my life thus far. I’ve been training for weeks for my 10 mile race. Somewhere along the course of training the idea of finishing in 1 hour 30 minutes popped into my head and I began to want it bad. Of course, I said, “Oh, I’d be happy to finish in between 1 hour 30-1 hour 40,” but what I really wanted was 1:30 because that is a 9 minute per mile pace.

Reasons I was able to do this and accomplish one of my goals today:

·      0Used Hal Higdon’s intermediate training plan for a 15k and only had one off week due to sickness.

·      0This plan incorporates speedwork and tempo runs so that you get used to running at a faster pace for a longer period of time (up until today the furthest I had run at under a 9 minute pace was 5.07 miles). But thanks to these tempo runs, I knew what that pace felt like, and I knew I could handle it.

·     0 I’ve run a freaking marathon in the past so absolutely nothing feels unattainable to me now.

·     0 I used mantras and positive affirmations when the going got tough, and it did get tough.

·      0I listened to music this time. I knew there would be limited course support cheering us on so I used my music to keep myself moving.

·      0I only stopped two times briefly to walk and drink water.

·      0The weather was perfect for running—high 40s, cloudy, no wind.

·      0I was freaking determined. Ain’t nobody can stop me when I’m determined.

This race was so super fun. It starts and ends at Soldier Field. The course runs south down Lakeshore drive for almost 5 miles before turning around and heading back along the lakefront path. The finish line is on the Bears’ 50-yard-line at Soldier Field. I have to say, this was just as cool as I thought it would be. They put you up on the big screen as you finish, and I really got caught up in the excitement. I was so happy too, because my friends Shelby and Carlos (who I met through volleyball) were sitting in the stands watching me finish. They got some great pictures of me on the field too. I never have people cheering me on at my races so that was really fun.

I feel so crazy proud and ridiculously happy. I feel amazing and like a true athlete. It’s taken me a long time to get to this point but I know I am a runner, a marathoner, and an athlete. When I put my mind to something, I can accomplish it if I just work hard enough and believe in it enough. And I needed every little bit of that determination because it got HARD at the end. I had to keep pushing myself even though my body wanted me to stop.

A few stats because I can’t help bragging just a little bit. Final results according to the official website: I came in 4,314 out of over 12,000 total, 374 out of around 1400 in my age group among women, and around 1600 out of 7,000 or so women. Official time was 1:30:27 (9:03 pace).

I’ll never forget this race and will only keep pushing myself further to be everything I can be.

The good ole days and the amazing NOW

I'm addicted to my computer. So that and the fact that I have had some extra time tonight meant that I have been going on a nostalgic run through some old memories. I hooked up the external hard drive and have been reliving Philmont, some old concerts I went to, hikes I went on, and my time at Bonjour and the library. It makes me a little sad when I look back because the time has passed, but it really does make me happy too. I'm so fortunate to have had such great experiences that have all worked to lead me here to this point right now. And right now, I'm happy too. And I'm sure some day in the future I'll look back and think about this time and how great it was too. So I'm going to keep trying to make each day worth remembering.

I was out last night for my Tuesday volleyball league. It was a perfect weather night, we won 2 of 3, and I was sitting out eating, drinking, and talking, and thinking, if this isn't perfect, I don't know what is. Same thing happened to me Sunday. I was at Montrose beach playing beach volleyball for three hours. Only left because I had volunteering and church. It was just so perfect. I thought for a second, hey it sucks that they were doing this all last summer and I didn't know any of them then. But then I thought, at least I know them now.  I really do have S3 leagues to thank for a lot of my really great times here. I took the time yesterday to send a thank you email to the guy who runs the leagues to let him know what a difference he's making. Take some time in the near future and thank someone, give them a compliment you've been holding back. If someone helps you out, thank them!

Okay, lecture done. My 10 miler race is Saturday and I'm super pumped. I feel like a running rock star lately!

 library friends

Here's to 26!

I have never written a blog post when I was this excited so bear with me.  Today was the best birthday I have ever had. Let's recap as I try to control my emotions.

I got to sleep in today because classes were shortened for the last day of classes. So I mean I already won before I even woke up because I got to sleep in!
Then I went to class and I just felt so good and positive and happy. I got my free huge Starbucks drink--venti skim iced caramel macchiato with extra shot and whip--and classes were just great. I feel so proud and so good about how far I've come. Can't believe only have summer classes left before internship.

Then I went home because I had a break before systems presentations. I went running and fought through the most brutal run I've had in a long time. Terrible cold wind! My mental toughness is the only thing that kept me going.

This evening we presented our Systems projects that have been tormenting us all semester. Proud of the final result!!! And I loved looking like a hot young professional coming from her high paying job in the Loop (I wish!).

Finally it was time for Sara! My favorite artist of all time--Sara Bareilles. I hopped in a cab to make it in time and got a seat in the first row of the balcony. It was at Park West, a super intimate venue. I had a pretty sweet view. Sara is such an amazingly talented singer/songwriter. She was on tour solo because this is her Brave Enough tour, and she's showing that we have to be brave and put ourselves out there and show our true selves even though it can be the scariest thing we've ever done.

She completely mesmerized us with her voice of course and was hilarious throughout in between songs. My favorite moment was definitely Once upon another time. It was absolutely haunting. I also loved the one where we got to sing along about how "that guy's an asshole, that girl's a bitch." Check out Sweet as Whole if you're curious. After the show I of course was thinking like my good The Vampire Diaries friend, Vicky, whom I met on twitter--you only live once! Go meet her!

So it is freezing outside but I resolve myself to stay as long as it takes. I find the crowd of people shivering waiting for Sara to come out. I tweeted about freezing to death and Ana, another girl I had been tweeting, tweeted that she was out there too and we met up! I love twitter for real!
Finally Sara came out and signed autographs and took photos. I was able to tell her how much I loved her show and that it was even better because it was my birthday! She wished me Happy Birthday twice!

So I am on top of the world. I'll never forget this night or this birthday.

I run to add life to my days

I love the above quote. I do run to add days to my life too, but I love the sentiment of the way this quote is worded. Running really has added SO much to my life. And I love when other people start running too and see how much it can do for them. When I feel happy, it makes me more happy. And when I feel angry or sad, it is one of the only things that will ALWAYS improve my mood. All I have to do is think back to crossing the finish line of the marathon, and I swear I get a little jolt of endorphins.

And not saying it's easy to get out the door even now, but I'm never sorry I went for a run.

So what are you waiting for??? Go run! You can do absolutely anything you set your mind to.

The day I met the one, the only, Ian Somerhalder

This Sunday I went to the Vampire Diaries convention here in Chicago. I bought my tickets over a year ago for the convention and the chance to have a picture taken with Ian Somerhalder, the love of my life, my obsession and passion since his first appearance on LOST. My love has only grown with time as he has played my favorite character on my favorite TV show for four years now. I had been planning on going alone until I found someone on twitter asking if anyone else was going alone. We exchanged info and ended up spending Sunday at the convention together.

Vicky, (one of my new favorite people ever, thank you twitter), picked me up Sunday and we drove out to Rosemont, which is a suburb northwest of me. This was my first ever convention not for something boring or academic so I was pretty excited. I got my Ian photo ticket and then talked with Vicky and some friends she met the day before before getting in line for my photo. I waited in line next to some other really nice people who showed me their pictures from the day before (Next year I'm going both days!!!). When we got inside the room with Ian finally, my first words to the girl in front of me were, "OhmyGod, he is a real person!" When my turn came to take a picture with him, I like seriously had no idea what to do or say or think. All I could stammer out was "Hi," and "Thank you." He greeted me with, "What up woman?" He also asked me how it was going, but like I said, I seriously was not processing the fact that Ian Somerhalder was wrapping his arms around me. All my brain could do was smile. He is just as amazing looking in person as he is on tv. It was an amazingly crazy too fast experience. Like, I keep staring at the picture and cannot believe it really happened. I need more time with him next time so I can process things and actually be able to speak.

I went back upstairs to the main expo area, and we got to see Arielle Kebbel (Lexi) and Charlie Bewley (vampire hunter and Demetri from Breaking Dawn). They were pretty hilarious and put on a good show for us and answered some questions. Then we got to watch Torrey Devitto (Dr. Fell, also Melissa on Pretty Little Liars and Paul Wesley's wife) answer questions. She was super sweet.  Finally it was time for Ian and Paul's panel. They were really funny (Paul has a dry sense of humor, Ian's is more upfront). They even answered my question! I had written down the question, "If you could live in any era in history, what would it be?" They had me stand up and Ian joked around saying, "Thanks for traveling so far to see us," (because I had put on there I was from Chicago so I would know when they were reading my question, and "She's tired from running all the way here." They answered the question by Ian saying the 1920s and Paul agreeing, but also saying he thought the 60s and 70s would've been cool.

After, it was just kinda over, but we didn't really want to accept it. We contemplated airport stalking but ended up just waiting to pick up our photos. We then hung out with two really sweet girls from California at McDonald's talking about TVD. Finally, other people who understand the awesomeness that is The Vampire Diaries.

Totally awesome experience! Cannot wait for next year!

Sweet Home Chicago

I've been living here for 1.5 years now. I can't believe how time flies. I was just offered 2 intern positions--one at Niles West in Skokie, IL (just north of where I live) and one in Grand Junction, CO. Talk about a tough decision. On the one hand, all I've talked about for over a year is getting my internship out in Colorado. On the other hand, when I first started talking about that I didn't know how much I was going to love it here. I hadn't found my places yet. Or met some of the great people I now know. After my interview at Niles though, my gut feeling told me that that was the position I should accept. It seems like an amazing opportunity and challenging in a way I need. I have to continue to push myself to be the best I can be. It's easier sometimes to go the route of doing less or pushing yourself less because it's comfortable. But I didn't go into this so that I could just do paperwork and do what comes easily (i.e. report writing). I got into this so I could help kids and teenagers have better lives. And that means pushing myself further outside of my own comfort zone. So this is going to be tough, and it wasn't the original plan, but I feel that it is the right decision.

Stupid Chicago, there you go again making me love you

Dear Chicago,

I wasn't supposed to love it here so much. I had the knowing that I was meant to come here, yes. But to borrow another line from Edward Cullen and Isabella Swan, I wasn't supposed to fall so completely and irrevocably in love with you. I always planned on doing two wonderful years here and then going on to my second dream that I've had since age 17, of living out west in Colorado by my mountains.

But Chicago you made me fall in love with you slowly over time. I used to blame any of my random bad days on you. And then the first summer came and you overwhelmed me with your awesomeness. The beach, the lake, the running path, the marathon, Awake, my cats, Treehouse Humane Society, Namaskar Yoga, summer concerts at Millennium Park, Molly's cupcakes, the Conservatory. Let's be honest, I didn't really stand a chance.

And then S3 leagues came and I met amazingly awesome people that have become real friends. And now my heart absolutely aches at the thought of leaving you. I know I can come back. I know that in my mind. But my stupid heart says What the hell are you doing? Why are you leaving something that is being so great to you? Ugh, who knows. Maybe I won't even get these internships in Colorado? But then again, I want them! But I also want to stay here. DAMN YOU CHICAGO!!!!

But really, thank you for coming into my life at the exact moment I needed you most.

Love you forever and always and I think maybe I will be back,

Rachel

The knowing is uncertain right now. That's the hardest part.

Just another day in the life of a school psych practicum student

The days in the life of school psychs can be ridiculously crazy and busy.
My supervisor had 5 meetings today, for example.
Meanwhile, here's my day:

8:00 arrive, get ready to test student for social-emotional case study-meeting is next week, an initial evaluation.
8-10:55 test student, have him fill out rating scales, informal interview
11:00-11:45--meet with PK teacher for consultation project on student with behavior issues
11:45-12:15ish--talk with supervisor, eat a snack
12:15-1:00--discuss cases with supervisor, observe 2 students
1:00-1:25--meet with teacher to help with FBA/report on student for SE case study
1:25-2--504 meeting student with seizures, input information from observations into reports
2-2:30---input info from observations
2:30-4--eligibility meeting, initial eval, ends with parent in tears

Happy Wednesday. Can't say it's boring.

Next week: 2 observations, present findings at two eligibility meetings

more questions

Every time I think it's clear that Colorado is next I get this strong feeling that Chicago is my home now. This is the craziest time of my life. I'm so confused and there's so much going on. Who knows where I'll be next year. Regardless of what happens next year, I won't be surprised at all if I end up in Chicago permanently at some point.

If you want to know where your heart is...

Before I first went to Colorado when I was a junior in high school I had no idea that I would ever want to live anywhere else but Kansas City. When I saw the mountains for the first time, something shifted. and I knew things would never be the same. I had one of the best weeks of my life there, and when I left, I cried, not knowing when I would be back. From that point on, something started growing inside of me--a wanderlust--a strong and irresistible desire to see and travel the world.

I went to Chicago the first time for a conference in senior year of college. I went thinking there was no way I'd really like it since it was such a big city. However, from the moment I stepped out of that cab I felt a feeling of certainty that I would be back and I would live there some day.

And I do.

I guess what I'm saying is you never know when and how your life is going to change. Be open to these moments and let them take you where you are meant to be. Life is too short to live it with regrets.

One of my favorite quotes sums it up perfectly: "If you want to know where your heart is, look where your mind goes when it wanders."

Colorado feels like it's next. The mountains are always where my mind goes when it wanders. And for now, I'm going to enjoy living in one of the greatest cities there is. A place I once only dreamed about living.

The Knowing

I have the knowing back. For those who might not know, the knowing is a term from one of my favorite authors, Susane Colasanti. It's all about following your heart and following your destiny. Follow the knowing to where you are meant to be or who you are meant to be with.

As you all know, I've been on the fence about staying here in Chicago or moving on to Colorado, or now, possibly even Phoenix, next year. It's a struggle because I've really grown to feel like this is home, I know my way around now, and I have my places here now. But over the last few weeks, the knowing has come back stronger that it's almost time to move on. We were offered a chance to interview for some positions in the southern suburbs of Chicago this week and when I read it I realized I didn't want it. Gut instinct, the heart, the knowing, whatever you want to call it says to be patient and wait and I will find my ideal internship. Being patient is tough too.

I pulled the best wisdom card a few nights ago. It says:

"I am at peace. I relax and enjoy life. I know that whatever I need to know is revealed to me in the perfect time and space sequence."

This is exactly what I needed to hear and what I need to remember.

New Year, New Possibilities

I've been posting this note on facebook the last few years but am doing it on here now since no one uses that feature anymore.

1. What did you do in 2012 that you'd never done before? 

ran a marathon

2. Did you keep the new years resolution you made last year? 

kept several--a few were: joined a vball league, try new things, be fearless

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? no

4. Did anyone close to you die? no one extremely close

5. What countries did you visit? US 

6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?  a relationship, more close friends in Chicago, a trip abroad, the knowing about where I want to live (same as I wrote last year pretty much)

7. What dates from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? 

October 7, 2012--completed Chicago marathon. Hiked the AT in May 2012 and summited Mt. Bierstadt in August 2012.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Pike's Peak and my first semester of grad school

9. What was your biggest failure? I don't feel like I failed. I tried new things. (same as last year)

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? stomach virus Dec 30th. almost escaped the year without a bad illness.

11. What was the best thing you bought? Shalimar and Shenandoah, my kitties I adopted

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? ?mine!  lol (ame as last year ;)

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? all of the horrible news stories on gun violence

14. Where did most of your money go? school

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? my trips!

16. What song will always remind you of 2012? Call me Maybe

17. Compared to this time last year, are you

a) happier or sadder? so happy

b) thinner or fatter? prob about the same

c) richer or poorer? much poorer

18. What do you wish you'd done more of? maybe going out a bit more

19. What do you wish you'd done less of? worrying as always, a bit less eating

20. How did you spend Christmas? with family!

21. Did you fall in love in 2012? no

22. How many one-night stands? Zero.

23. What was your favorite TV program? vampire diaires!!!

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? no

25. What was the best book you read? Hmmmm.read a bunch, it's just hard to recall which was the best.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery? Mumford and Sons rule. 

27. What did you want and get? to know Chicago better

28. What did you want and not get? European getaway

29. What was your favorite film of this year? Perks of being a Wallflower

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? 25. I went for a run, saw Hunger Games, got a cupcake, went to the lakefront, and had dinner with Erin.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?

Maurice's clothes

33. What kept you sane? friends, family, tv, working out, yoga, my cats, candles, self-care

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Ian Somerhalder  (yep, same as last year)  Also, David Cook

35. What political issue stirred you the most? Education, gun violence

36. Who did you miss? family and friends who I live far away from

37. Who was the best new person you met? met tons of new people through volleyball and volunteering

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012: 

Be Fearless, Be positive. Always look for the good. Learn from your mistakes. You can do much more than you ever thought possible. You can do anything you set your mind to.

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

"I don't ever want to leave this town/'cause after all/this city never sleeps at night." -Imagine Dragons