Well, this past twenty fifth year of my life was incredibly unpredicatable. Never in my entire life would I have assumed or even guessed that I would live with my mom for a portion of the year and then my brother for the last portion. I also never really could have guessed that I would begin the year in New York City and end up in Southern California. I have learned a lot within this year. Here is a brief summary and some highlights.
Greatest Adventure: driving cross country for the second time with my mom. Not knowing where we will be stopping at night. Seeing all the old landmarks of this country, and discovering family treasures along the way. The views of the Badlands were breath taking, and the way I was able to monitor the climate as we moved through the different states was amazing. I also got to have a little fun and take pictures of a stuff animal at each historic landmark. Like this one.

look carefully in the background
Greatest Lesson: Let go of controlling and believe it is all going to work out. There were many situations this year that I wanted to manipulate into working but in the end I had to surrender and have faith that it will all be okay. Which is tough, but when I am able to practice this in everday life, I am able to experience and enjoy what has been given to me. I no longer am in charge of the world around me. Thank God, because that is a stressful job to uphold. My new job if is to receive and enjoy life. That is why we are all here anyway, right? Not so we can stress about every detail.
Second Greatest Lesson: Who cares what other think of me. It is none of my business anyway.
Greatest Person I met this year: Amanda, my writing coach who is helping me put my book together. I have never met a kinder, more loving coach than her. I have been given so much support, guidance and insightful questions that has completely remolded my writing. I now have a vision of how my book is going to come together. It is in the works!
Most Challenging Event: Constantly learning, growing, changing in a short period of time. Since being in California, everyday there is a new lesson, and a new opportunity to practice what I have learned. But that is what I asked for when I left nyc. I wanted to keep growing (be careful of what you wish for!).
Best Take-away Moment of this Year: embracing self-care. This year, along with being reintroduced to family members, and moving across the country, I really plunged into self-care. It is by far the best remedy for stress, pain, hurt, anxiety. I finally received a facial for the first time. I tried organic spray tanning, learned more about paraben-free products.

ahh so good. picture via pinterest from body and soul blog
Most Embarrassing Moment: After the organic spray tanning I just mentioned, I wasn’t allowed to wear a bra. I didn’t know you couldn’t wear a bra after spray tanning, or else it will rub off the formula that they just dowsed your body in. Needless to say I wore the wrong shirt to go bra-less in. I tried to cover myself with my purse while half sitting on the subway train seats making sure my legs down touch he seats. All during rush hour. I prayed to get me to Queens as fast as the train could. Once at my station I practically ran back to my apartment all the while trying not to sweat off the tan. There were many stares. So embarrassing but the tan looked great!
Silliest/Most Hilarious Moment: living in Queens with one of my best friends. With all of our morning coffee runs to dunkin donuts and our nightly talks. Our rain parties equipped with margaritas and random dancing to the song “it’s raining men”. This past summer is loaded with memories that I will never forget, and so grateful to have experienced.

Roomies for life
Best Moment: Going to Coney Island with some friends and trying out the ridiculous rides during the summer and partaking in the polar bear plunge in the January.

Coney Island
Worse Moment: Having my debit card information stolen and my account wiped out. Enough said.
A Moment that Made Me Cry: Saying goodbye to my boyfriend while leaving NYC for California. Saying goodbye to NYC and all the amazing memories I had there, all the incredible people I was fortunate to meet along the way, and all the life lessons that I embraced while living there.

Me and my Boyfriend
Most Ridiculous Moment: Chosing a random day in February and pretending it was my birthday… And going to the worlds largest foam party.

My Pretend Birthday!
Most Inspirational Moment: watching the summer olympics.
Most unexpected Moment: Being a juror on a month long federal crime case… And meeting a man that was good friends with Einstein.

April 26th, jury duty summons
Most Jaw-Dropping Moment: Meeting my favorite Shoe designer, Vince Camuto

My idol vince camuto
Most Lavish Moment: Have a private tour of the Christies Auction House, after hours.
Best Job: styling assistant for a celeb stylist

designers galore
Greatest Achievement: taking a picture a day for a whole year! It is more of a feat than you may think.
The Thing That Made Me Smile the Most: Realizing I am just so much closer to my dreams than I think.