2011 has been a year of ups and downs (but aren’t they all?).
{January}
In January, I rang in the new year in Boston, with Mike. We had a great night, met some very interesting people (people that I will not describe for the sake of staying politically correct), ate at a hibachi restaurant, watched the fireworks and had a great time until my poor feet could take my shoes no more and I decided to walk barefoot in the snow (I know, serious lack of judgement there). I got cranky (no, really) and a huge fight between Mike and I ensued (although looking back on it, the whole situation was kind of hilarious). Oops. This month, Mike and I also discovered the wonder that is Stowe, Vermont (!!), and I had an interview at the Conde Nast building in Times Square (and mind you, even though it didn’t pan out, it was still the coolest experience of my life).
{February}
In February, Mike and I celebrated our second Valentine’s Day and I got flowers (always the highlight of my life). My best friend Alex (aka: Ruffers) threw me a birthday party, which was a blast, and my sister came to visit. One of my greatest birthdays, to date.
{March}
In March, I began using my new DSLR camera and pretended like I knew anything at all about photography (full disclosure: I still don’t). I also took the train and flew back and forth to New York City for internship interviews at some pretty amazing companies. Surreal.
{April}
I have no idea what happened in April. Boring. Cold. Snow wouldn’t melt. Or something. Oh! I went to Miami to visit my best friend from high school, Erika (or was this in March?), and we had a fabulous time. I love her. I also found out I mysteriously fractured my foot. So painful.
{May}
In May, I started feeling incredibly sick. I thought I had a cold, but it turns out (after I fainted during my chemistry final – okay, who am I kidding? Forensics final), that I really had just had a piece of earplug (like those green, foamy ones) stuck deep inside my ear for over a month (!). Yes, this really happened, and yes, it had to be surgically removed, and YES, the infection it created was nasty. This month, I also moved into an apartment in New York City and started my internship. I love the city; it makes me feel so alive.
{June}
In June, my internship stole my soul. No, really. I started this blog, visited Alex and The Greeks (which is what I call her family, because they are Greek. Well, her mom is) in Long Island (we went to the Hamptons! So fancy).
{July}
In July, I had to quit my first internship because, due to personal conflicts, I simply couldn’t put in the hours. I got a job as a “stringer” (kind of like a freelancing correspondent) for Seventeen magazine (childhood dream come true, right there) and a part-time internship with a fashion and design company, which I loved. My sister and Julie came to visit me in the city, not at the same time, (and my sister was pleasantly surprised that it does not all look like Times Square. She even said she would consider moving there!) and Mike took me camping for my first time ever. I went to the Jersey Shore and saw the Jersey Shore house! Also, I flew home for my cousin’s wedding. I also realized that I could no longer keep running away from my problems because I was and still am kind of messed up in the head, so I got help (and it was probably the best decision I’ve ever made).
{August}
In August, I moved out of the city and headed home for two weeks, which were kind of torture. To keep myself distracted, I redecorated my room (painting walls is hard work!). My uncle, aunt and cousin from France came to visit. My mother left us. So not a good month. In the end, I did move into my apartment in Syracuse, so that’s good, I guess. And, I got my hamsa tattoo on my wrist (read: I am protected from all evil. Or at least, I’d like to think I am).
{September}
In September, I traveled to Miami to meet up with my dad and my sister. My dad only told me this a week before my flight, so I panicked a little, re: to hide or not to hide tattoo. In the end, I called him and fessed up. The conversation went a little like this: “Papi, I have something really important to tell you. You’re going to be so mad” “oh my God, are you pregnant?” “Nooo! I got a tattoo. Of a hamsa. It’s small. I promise. And I paid for it with my own money. You can’t be mad at me. I just got a tattoo. Ariela changed her religion; that’s like way worse [my sister thinks she's Buddhist. Well, she says that she is both Buddhist and Jewish. Okay then]. Oh my God, please don’t cut me out of your life” “Okay, so you got a tattoo. You really didn’t need to freak out that much, you know. It’s whatever.” Moral of the story: Papi is the best. And I am a paranoid freak.
{October}
In October, I was Twiggy for Halloween and I kind of loved it. I also carved my first pumpkin (ugh, ew. Orange food in general just seems so unappetizing to me. And the smell of pumpkin…don’t even get me started). Mike also got me our puppy Mikos (and it breaks my heart to write this right now, because we might have to put him to sleep…)
{November}
In November, Mike and I celebrated our two-year anniversary in New York City. We stayed at a really nice hotel, courtesy of Mike, of course, but our dinner plans didn’t pan out. I think after that trip to the city, our relationship became stronger than ever. Also, I traveled home for Thanksgiving break and celebrated the holiday in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. It was prime.
{December}
And now it is December. It’s been a tough one. Mike got me the most beautiful lens for my DSLR for Hanukkah. Totally in love with it. I wish I could’ve celebrated Christmas with him, but instead, I celebrated in Connecticut, with my roommate Jessica’s large Italian family, and I loved every minute of it.
