Reflecting on 2008, looking forward to 2009

As I sat down to write this blog today, I was running through the past year in my mind and I came to realize that Holy Cow...it was a busy year!!! I tend to kind of belittle the business of life in the moment--after all I am young and it's not as if I am in grad school (that was REALLY busy) and I don't have any kids to take care of or anything, but boy when I run through all that happened this past year in my circle of family and friends, it was quite an eventful one!!!

2008 began with my return to the US after 10 months living and teaching in Japan, an experience that I will never forget and treasure all my life.

Upon my return I decided to move to the bay area to be close to the most wonderful boyfriend a girl could ask for! I told him that when I returned to Japan I would love to move up to the bay area to explore Northern California, and wouldn't you know that he was transfered up here for his job about 7 months before my return. I love having him close by again and sharing life, growing and learning together.



March

• I got a job that I was genuinely excited about at Stanford University at a think tank called the Hoover Institution
• My good friend Niki got married
• I had my first experience as a bridesmaid :)
• Moved to a lovely little apartment by the beach.

May,

• The F4L made our annual trip to Catalina, but this time to celebrate Christina's bachelorette party,
• I got to meet Joe's best friend and wife for the first time for a very relaxing weekend in Palm Springs
• My sister and cousin both graduated from College!

June

• Off to Boise for Christina's wedding, where I continued to perfect my bridesmaid skills :)
• Joe's Mom, Dad, Sister, Brother-in-law and two nephews came to visit us.

July

• We headed home to San Diego for Maria and Curran's wedding, the last one of 2008...whew, just as I went broke!

August

• I flew in the middle of Hurricane Season to the Dominican Republic and just barely missed Hurricane Gustav in order to visit a good college friend serving her last few months in the peace corps.

In October, our apartment became a bed and breakfast as we hosted guests EVERY Weekend of the month.

Weekend #1 = Beth and Josh (Joe's good highschool friend and his wife.)
Weekend #2= Kiymi and Mitsui (One of my students from Japan and her good friend.)
Weekend #3= Joe's sister and mother---Joan spoiled us with a day at the Burke Williams Spa.
Weekend #4 = My Mom and Dad :)
Weekend #5 = Niki and Ryan (My good highschool friend and her husband).

In November we flew home to San Diego for Thanksgiving with our fabulous families and then in December we did it again for Christmas.

Phew...I'm tired just rehasing it. But I also feel very blessed to have had so many wonderful events to celebrate with family and friends this year!

I am looking forward to all that 2009 has to offer and would like to wish anyone who might be reading this blog a very happy and healthy New Year!