Sunday, December 30, 2012

2012 - It came, it went... in pictures.

I admittedly snorked this idea from my new friend Tracie (with her permission, and also please check her blog because she's awesome and I'm so excited to get to work with her this next year!) My other bloggy friend The Robot Mommy also did a bloggy rundown of her past year, and my new "boss", Elena at Live.Do.Grow., ran through her own pictorial of craggy challenges that she has seen this past year - with the added yes!!!!!! of her "BRING IT ON" attitude for 2013.

That was a lot of links, but a whole lot of super fabulousness for your education, inspiration, and amusement. *Deep breath*.

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January - Global Medical Brigade to Darien, Panama
 


This momma was bathing her children in the river when we arrived. I had the chance to speak with her briefly, and she said that she was ready to have her baby any day. She smiled as she said how impatient she was because her stomach was heavy. I asked her if I could show her photo (some indigenous people have rules about photography) and she said yes. It seemed the entire village had come to play in the river with us. We learned so much about these special people, as well as so much about ourselves.
 
February - Stanley Hotel Ghost Hunt
 




I flew out to Estes Park for a weekend ghosthunt at the famous Stanley Hotel. I had the chance to (finally) meet Dustin Pari and Karl Pfeiffer as well as the lovely Jeanette (all pictured here). While waiting for the sun to go down, Jeanette and I explored the grounds and crossed where no tourist should have crossed. Rebels! It was a wonderful weekend, and I was so blessed to be able to meet these people, have dinner with them (mayo and peanut butter and lettuce sandwiches were spoken of but not consumed), and have a few paranormal experiences. It was a pleasure meeting so many other well-respected paranormal enthusiasts and researchers.
 
March - A huge change
 



After a very long time of having very long hair (to the tops of my thighs), I decided it was time for a change. A pile amassed on the floor of the salon to the delight of hair artists and patrons alike. I felt a billion times lighter, and it was such a relief to be free of the hassle!
 
 
April - National Student Nurses' Association Convention - Pittsburgh, PA
 




I was so honored to be here - I received two awards at the National level: One was for Project InTouch, for which I recruited the most new NSNA members in the nation at the chapter level. The other, which is shown here, was for best State website. When I took over as Communications Director, the first thing I did was focus on our website, as I saw it was a central hub for the state. I was proud to be among friends who were awarded their own accolades, as well as friends who won National Board positions!
 
May - Graduation and Pinning
 
 
Here I am being pinned as a BSN by my parents. It took me a lot of years to get to this point, but I haven't been prouder. It was a very emotional moment for all of us. There was a lot of family screaming in the crowd, too. :)  Followed closely by....
 
June - Being licensed as an RN
 
 
I still don't have too many words to describe this joy. Probably because I haven't found my first job yet!
 
July  - Fashion
 



 

Pinched nerve in my neck turned into this. Muscle relaxants and pain relievers had me very interesting for awhile, and I should probably go check to see if I wrote anything public during that time.
 
August - Hiking
 
 
Torrey Pines. Isn't this stunning? I did have another Membership South meeting for CNSA, however I also took up hiking again (spurred on by a friend who was in considerably better shape than I was). The ocean air and getting the blood pumping helped my mood immensely. I hope to get to the top of Potato Chip Rock one of these days.
 
September - Introspection
 
 
Things became more difficult... I was continuing to receive job rejection after job rejection, and I ended up in a very dark place. I took a lot of time to myself, trying to figure things out.
 
October - Fishing with Daddy!
 
 
Can you even believe how gorgeous this is? Dad woke me up one morning at ridiculous o'clock, and I'm so very glad he did. Here is Lady Moon going to sleep for the day, after lighting our lives for the night. (Lake Havasu, AZ) It was so nice being with Dad, out on the boat for hours, rocking in the small waves coming down the river. Nothing refreshes the spirit quite like Nature, and I took full advantage of her beauty.
 
November - Wedding in Texas
 
 
My uncle Tom was married to his sweetheart, Maggie, and we couldn't be happier for them. It was amazing to see my cousins and family for the first time in many years. This picture may be taken down based on how my mom reacts to it (Hi Mom!), but it reflects the sweetness we had during our trip. Dad was on his way in from fishing, so it was just my Mom and sister and I for a night. We had a cuddle/movie session and I felt like I was about 10 years old again. <3
 
December - Moving forward!
 
This month had a lot going on. I took some time away from Facebook, and focused on blogging and Twitter. I also focused on my health (except over the holidays, darn it) and had a lot of deep, meaningful moments with my own spirit. Thanks to all of this, it led me to apply, and be invited, to write for Just.Be.Enough. as a regular contributor. Not only am I expanding this blog, I hope to write for others - there is a lot that needs to be said, and I feel that my stories may be able to help others feel their own worth. Life is hard, but we can't give up. I'm sure as hell not giving up.


Let's see what 2013 brings, shall we?





13 comments:

  1. Awesome year!!! Great pictures :) I did my own year in review post as well - http://onetoughmom.blogspot.com/2012/12/hasta-la-vista-2012-you-rocked-my-socks.html

    Excited to work with you on JBE!! Happy New Year!

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  2. I LOVE "you rocked my socks"!!! Happy New Year! So excited for next year. :)

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  3. You had quite a year, filled with so many highs ! I'm so proud of your new gig and look forward to reading your awesomeness!! Oxox.

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  4. Thank you, my dear Robot Mommy. :)

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  5. Seems 2012 was pretty good to you, all in all. I'm a little jealous about the nursing thing. I've always had a yen to be a nurse, although my children would tell you that my "suck it up" attitude when THEY are sick doesn't lead them to believe I'd be very good at it. Have a great 2013! Will look forward to reading about it.

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  6. Hi Dyanne! Thanks for stopping by :) I'm jealous about the nursing thing too, mainly because I haven't found my first job yet! LOL. One day, one day. Sometimes the "suck it up" attitude needs to be used, though. Oh yes.

    I'm happy to "meet" you, and look forward to reading your page!

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  7. What an amazing year! Love, love, love the hair! Hoping 2013 is full of amazingness (and a job you love)! Thanks for linking up!

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    Replies
    1. Ahhhh, SG, what an honor to have you here :) you'll be happy to know that I did receive a job offer in the beginning of January, so this year will only get more awesome.

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  8. what a fantastic way to sum up the year! love the moon picture -- what an incredible moment.

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  9. Wow! You had quite the year. A lot of ups and downs and a whole bunch of amazing. I love that in December you took the time to "do you" as they say. That's so important. Nice post!

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  10. What an incredible year! I have faith that the right job will come along and be worth the wait.

    p.s. Love the hair!

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