Without being a total Debbie Downer, it’s hard for me to talk about how epic twenty sixteen was for me, personally, without remembering and keeping in mind all the bizarre, awful things that happened in our world this year too.
It was been a crazy, totally maddening year. If the last 365 days weren’t proof enough, I don’t know what is. Between all of the terrible fatalities in terrorist attacks. Nice, Brussels, Istanbul. Zika became a thing. The Orlando shooting. Bombs and more gunfire. The election, followed by the results of the election. All of the police fatalities. Brexit. Harambre. All the earthquakes, hurricanes, and plane crashes. It’s been an insane year. Sorry to have brought all that up again, just wanted to take a moment to remember how precious and valuable life is.
Which makes me feel slightly guilty for saying this… but I’ve had the best year ever. In the span of twelve months, I got engaged, bought a house, and got married. I couldn’t be more thankful for what a perfectly lovely and wonderful year it’s been, I’m forever grateful. Especially in contrast to how dark the world can seem at times.
MY TWENTY SIXTEEN IN REVIEW
Becoming Mrs. Dara Boxer.
Our wedding day was by far the best day of the year (and TBH it’s in the top 3 for life, it has to be). My best friend is now my husband, and I adore being his wife. Most of the year centered around the engagement and the wedding, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
{twelve – ten – sixteen}
Our Little Yellow House.
We closed and moved in on June 1st. We’re in the Southwest Waterfront. A neighborhood that’s just on the cusp of booming, and we’re thrilled to be here. We adore it, and it’s absolutely the perfect first home for us to start our family.
#isaidyes.
Getting engaged, in Chicago, was definitely a top 3 highlight, and became the springboard for our year of chaos and bliss. I still can’t believe that happened this year, and we managed to pull off planning a wedding less than eleven months later. Yikes!
Improv.
Completing the rest of the DC Improv classes with the funniest group of people I’ve ever met. Even more than that, the friendships and teams that blossomed from class. A few improv posts here, here, and here.
All the traveling.
3 trips to Tucson, 2 trips to Boca, 2 trips to NYC, 1 to Chicago, a wedding in Springfield, MO. Not quite as much as last year (all the places!), but let’s be real, we were pretty busy between planning a wedding and buying a home. I was more than happy to cut back on our summer vacations, and be here, in our home.
Fitspo.
I reached my goal weight for the wedding, thanks to the BBG and my FitBit. I ran the two races I do every year: Race for the Cure and a Thanksgiving morning Turkey Trot. I also began daily meditation, which I love! Goal for the new year is to definitely keep up the fitness regime, and perhaps add a class or two in there. I’m thinking yoga?
Bookworm.
60 books read in 2016 — I’ll take it! I really don’t know where I found the time to read at a pace of one book per week… I think the biggest difference from last year to this year is my Audible subscription. Also, the library has free audiobooks if you don’t want to pay the $14.95 per month!
#GIRLBOSS.
After 5 years of sales and marketing for hotels (most recently, with Marriott), it was time for something new. I’ve been apprenticing with a personal chef since September, learning as much as I can, and loving it.
With the support of my husband, my goal is to be up and running sometime in twenty seventeen! If you have any ideas for a business name, let me know, please!
Peonies and Bees
This blog has been my baby for over 18 months now. I absolutely love watching it grow and develop into something beautiful, and taking on a life of it’s own. I very much cherish all the blogger and IG friends I’ve made through it, and the unimagined doors it’s opened. My hopes are to continue blogging, continue learning, and get better!
GOODBYE, TWENTY SIXTEEN…
…You were too good to me. If twenty seventeen is only half as great as twenty sixteen was, I’ll be in pretty great shape.
Wishing you all the health and happiness for the upcoming year, it’s going to be great. I can feel it! And hopefully, the world calms down a bit, we can use a break from all the sadness and hatred out there. Be safe this weekend and….HAPPY NEW YEAR!
PS. here is my twenty fifteen in review!