& There's Reason to Believe Maybe This Year Will Be Better Than the Last

Wednesday, December 29, 2010


Like so many other bloggers, I am, indeed, vain enough to do a countdown of my own. 2010 was a big year for me, & I'm not about to let it slip away unnoticed. Here, a compilation of the things that, for better or worse, stand out most:
  1. There was a snowstorm. A big one. My best friend spent the night for... three nights? We never technically had off of work (technology is a jerk), but it sure felt like we did - "Home Alone" marathons, fancy-ish brunches, & lots of Snuggie-wearing? I love co-hibernation.
    • Moral: In the right circumstances & with the right people, there's no such thing as too much togetherness.

  2. I experienced a bit of an emotional breakdown when my bosses asked me to hop a train to New York City with just a couple hours' notice to help facilitate a meeting between the big boss & members of the Israeli government. After a full-scale freak-out, I did as instructed - & was pleasantly surprised by the experience. 
    • Moral: Believe in yourself as much as others do. And for Pete's sake, take some deep breaths.

  3. On the 15th anniversary of my father's death to lung cancer - & one of the hottest days of the summer - I spent 12+ hours with a gaggle of my closest friends at Relay for Life in Arlington, Va. Together, we raised thousand of dollars for the American Cancer Society - & I didn't even get sunburned!
    • Moral: Charity is fun & fulfilling. Sweet combo.

  4. The universe smiled upon me & gave me the opportunity to visit the set of "Top Chef," my favorite TV show in ever. And miracle of miracles, I actually appeared in an episode! With a speaking role! Talking about... root beer & meat
    • Moral: A good sense of humor gets you stuff. Like gourmet food & pseudo-fame.

  5. In April, I accepted a new job with a respected public relations firm. They offered, & I accepted, enamored of the idea of working for such a creative, successful team.
    • Moral: The smartest choice is not always the best choice.

  6. To take a new job, of course, I had to leave my old job. While this seems, on the surface, like it ought to be the same bullet point as #3, it's not. Leaving my old office was a landmark life event - it was like leaving home for college, like leaving my family behind. I am, in truth, still struggling with the fact that I left; I miss it terribly, even six months later, but my life has since taken so many twists & turns that I cannot regret my decision. Sliding doors & all that...
    • Moral: I'm not sure yet. But I think it's that you should take risks, even when they're scary & you're comfortable where you are. Choose your own adventure.

  7. Three months after starting it, I left my new job. I never blogged about this, either, because I didn't want to go into too much detail, but it was decided by the time I wrote this post. Though I was (& remain) eternally grateful to my employers for their support & understanding, I couldn't deny that it was not the right fit - no matter how much we both wanted to make it work.
    • Moral: Follow your heart. No, really. Even when it seems illogical & completely undoable.

  8. During the Fourth of July weekend, I began dating Nathan, who I have since only blogged about informally. He's my cousin's best friend, & we met when he was still in high school but just reconnected this year. I have truly never been so happy with another person, & I'm positive that I am, in fact, capable of the kind of relationship I once doubted. 
    • Moral: Love comes to those who believe it, & that's the way it is.

  9. Jobless & soon-to-be-apartmentless, I made the decision to move back to Ohio. It was so, so difficult to leave the places & people I had come to love, & the time came sooner than I'd planned or hoped for, but I always knew I wouldn't stay in D.C. forever... & so I leapt.
    • Moral: Bon Jovi was right. You can always go home again. At least, I can. And for that, I am so very lucky.

  10. After four nerve-wracking, disheartening months of unemployment, I got a new job - with the organization I left in May! Though it's an entirely different position (consulting rather than communications) in an entirely different atmosphere (working from home rather than from an office) in an entirely different place (New Hampshire instead of D.C.), I'm confident it's a good move for me, & I can't wait to begin it - next week!
    • Moral: As my dad used to say, press on, regardless.
It's been a long year. A stressful year. A year full of equal parts laughter & tears, good luck & bad. I don't know what 2011 brings, but I dare it to give 2010 a run for its wishy-washy, John-Kerry-flip-floppy, sometimes-awesome-sometimes-awful money.

32 comments:

  1. Wow! Sounds like it was a big year for you! So jealous about #4! :). So are you moving to New Hampshire?!?

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  2. I love that I got to watch your year go by :) And I'm proud of you for your choice to go confidently in the direction of your dreams.

    I have an exit interview coming up in 4 minutes, and I'm going to use some of your words here in my own mouth. 'It wasn't a good fit' I think is perfect.

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  3. Whoa you had a big year indeed! Sounds like you learned a lot though which is always a WIN.

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  4. So many eventful things, both good and bad, happened this year. From following your life via your blog and from meeting you in person and chatting on gchat, it's safe to say you're one of the strongest, most resilient people I know. I'm proud to call you my friend. You truly are...an inspiration. (I know this all sounds sappy, but I really do mean it!)

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  5. Wow, so much has happened in just a year! Definitely worth noting, regardless of how vain it might feel. Isn't that what blogging is about? :P It's great that you took away lessons from all that's happened. And again, congrats on the new job! When are you heading back to the East Coast?

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  6. one of your best! i am sort of crying. i am also in a coffee shop and people are staring. you are just such an excellent writer. i love love love this post, friend. press on, regardless.

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  7. WOAH!?!? are you officially going to be a NH resident. Do you know what this means? You and I are going to be besties!

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  8. That is a lot happening in one year! I'm a fairly new reader, but I'm really glad that I following along now. I can't wait to see what 2011 has in store for you. I love the morals of your points. All so, so true!

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  9. Ohmygosh, I love how you did your year-end review! I totally kind of, no really, want to steal this idea. ;)

    You had a pretty big year, lady! I have only been around since you moved back home but there is a lot of lessons learned and things to celebrate. And 2011 is going to be even better for you! Woo!

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  10. holy adventures batman, what a year! not vain to do a wrap up...but rather it's useful for folks who are bad about checking blogs regularly...like moi. because i missed your post that you got a job, belated congrats!

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  11. maaan, that does sound like a rollercoaster of a year. i just started following you a little while ago so most of this i didn't even know. i like this idea and might need to do something like this myself :) to a GREAT 2011 !!!

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  12. I really liked reading this; sounds like you had quite a year; I can only hope you have an amazing 2011. :)

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  13. I really liked reading this post and it sounds like you've had quite a year; I can only hope you have an amazing 2011. :)

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  14. What a year! Great recap! So excited for New Hampshire!

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  15. A. AH YOU WERE ON TOP CHEF SO COOL.

    B. It DOES sound like an eventful one, but also one full of learning and growth and FUN TIMES. I like your morals!

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  16. Vain as it may be, I actually appreciated this post because I haven't been reading your blog all year and just got THE FULL SCOOP. Wishing you a very happy new year and many blessings in 2011!

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  17. sounds like, overall, 2010 turned out to be a good year. Funny how things look different when you're looking back at them instead of being in them.

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  18. Congrats on the new gig lady...That's awesome! Here's to bigger and brighter things for you in 2011!

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  19. Sounds like 2010 taught you a lot and you made huge leaps. May 2011 be all that and more. p.s. Thank you so much for the holiday card.

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  20. I love reading these recaps, it's so amazing for giving perspective on what you learned this year and where you're heading! I can't wait to hear all about your new adventures :)

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  21. This is so very true. At the time, I was all, "OMG I HATE EVERYTHING," but everything's going juuuust fine.

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  22. This is so very true. At the time, I was all, "OMG I HATE EVERYTHING," but everything's going juuuust fine.

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  23. Ooh, did you use it? I think it's the kindest way of describing things. No ill will, no real incidents, just not ideal, you know?

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  24. I love the morals attached to each of these. Can't wait to read the recap of 2011. Have the best New Year, Sweetheart! It sounds as if you are well on your way toward doing so...

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  25. so does this mean you're now moving to new hampshire??

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  26. I loved this recap of 2010, Kate. And congrats on the new job, and the move to NH. Wow! A lot is happening early in 2011!
    Can't wait to read more.

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