Goodbye 2013, Hello 2014!

It's that time again. Another year has ended. I can't believe how quickly it came and went. I love the beginning of a new year... because it causes you to reflect. What did you do that was exciting? What things did you learn? Did you accomplish any of your goals you set last year? How do you want to improve in the new year and what would you like to accomplish? This is what goes through many people's minds, including my own when Christmas is over and the new year is approaching.

I just reread my post from last year. I obviously didn't accomplish all of my goals that I set... but I did set a lot. I accomplished many of them though. As I have reflected on this last year (while looking through photo's and reading old blog posts) I had an amazing year. Besides being sick pretty much all of Winter and going through 7 roommates... I did a lot of awesome things and made the most out of the year.

I tried new things:

New recipe's
Went for a ride in a tiny 4 seater plane
Took a hip hop class
Cross Country skiing
Rode in a helicopter
Had my first couch surfer
Swimming with Dolphins
Riding an elephant bareback

Had some big accomplishments:

Ran my first half marathon
Lost 55 lbs (maybe 50 now... I think I gained 5 this month)

Got to scuba dive somewhere new

Got 2 new nephews

Visited 2 new states (Indiana & Michigan)

Went on a cruise

Saw some awesome concerts:

Shania Twain
Joshua Radin
Matt Nathanson
Imagine Dragons
Josh Groban
LeAnne Rimes

Visited 5 new countries (Honduras, Cayman Islands, Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand)

Go to some places that I had been wanting to see (Bryce Canyon, Zion's and Havasupai)

Formed better relationships with extended family and made some great new friends.

And probably the thing I wasn't expecting the most and was a pleasant surprise... Johnny. Last year, one of my goals was to "find a man". However I say that every year and it never happens and I thought the same would go for this year. I met John in September and he has honestly been such a joy in my life. When I first met him, I had no idea that we would end up dating and that I would end up caring for him as much as I do. He is such a great person. I love who he is and how he treats me and I love spending time with him. He is kind and respectful not just to me, but to everyone. Everyone that meets John likes him. He has a great sense of humor and is always making me laugh. He is always finding ways to serve me. We have a lot of the same interests. He comes from a great family, who I adore and has welcomed me in with open arms. We have GREAT communication. It has never been drama or a guessing game... we are honest and open with each other. Things with John have been easy and fun. These last 4 months have been awesome. I really appreciate him. He leaves in a couple of months to go backpacking in South America and I don't know when he will come back. I'm sad that he is leaving and I don't know what will come of us... but regardless of what happens... I'm so thankful he came into my life.

Speaking of John, he is the one I spent New Years Eve with. We were with his family for a little bit and then we met up with his good friend and his wife. We went to Provo Town Mall and hung out while a bunch of stuff went on around us. 15 minutes to midnight we went outside to wait for the ball to drop. They had hot air balloons on the ground... glowing (not sure why). I brought sparklers and then at midnight after the ball dropped there was a great firework show. Believe it or not... this was my first kiss at midnight on New Years Eve. John had a kiss last year, but this is the first time he has been in a relationship on NYE. Me, I have been in a relationship twice on NYE but never got a kiss because we were always visiting family in different states. So this was my first... and it was great.

2013 was great. Really great. I'm excited for 2014. Knowing everything that happened in the last year... it is very exciting to think of what will happen in the next year. You just don't know... that is what makes it so exciting! I haven't decided on my goals yet... probably all the ones I didn't accomplish last year will be put on my list again this year. Other than that... I just want to keep living life to the fullest and see what comes my way. Happy New Year! Cheers to 2014!