DSM to LAX: March 2014

Sending wishes for a happy New Year mid-March? This is just sad and, shall I say, borderline pathetic. However, one could make the argument that your own "personal New Year" begins on your birthday. So in that case, I'm a month and a half ahead of schedule!

Let's just proceed from here as if the New Year has just begun. In some ways, I feel like I'm starting over each day. Isn't that the beauty of a new day? The chance to leave yesterday in the past and start fresh. I think so.

"And now let us welcome the new year, full of things that never were."
-Rainer Maria Rilke

For me, 2013 was a year of change. It was a roller coaster of emotions - high highs and low lows - apparently this seems to be something that comes with being in your 20s. Funny thing is, no one warns you. Nope, instead you have to learn the hard way. (DISCLAIMER FOR ALL ALMOST-20-YEAR-OLDS: The first few years of your 20s are going to, how should I put this... well, they're going to really suck. But don't worry, they're also going to be so much fun! You're going to feel lost 50% of the time or more (most likely more). You're going to be on top of the world one minute, and the you'll think you're hitting rock bottom the next. So just brace yourself - you're in for one heck of a ride.) That being said, I truly believe that everything happens for a reason, and I wouldn't change one thing about my journey. (And yes, there are some days where I do not feel that way at all.) However, I find peace in knowing God has a plan for each and every one of us. I rest (a little bit) easier knowing it's about the journey not the destination, and one day all of this chaos will (hopefully) make sense.

That being said, I really think 2014 is going to be one of the best years yet! (Two and a half months in, I still stand by that!) I don't know what it is, but I'm feeling very optimistic about the next 289 days that lie ahead. It's crazy to think how much can happen in a year. Last January, I never would have pictured my life as it is now. While the unknown can be a little scary, it's also really exciting! The possibilities are endless!

My New Year's Resolution is pretty simple: do better. Do better in my relationships (friends, family or otherwise), with my faith, at my job, with my diet and exercise, etc. Simply do better. I think this is something that can be applied to all aspects of life, which is why I chose to make it my goal for 2014.

I spent my New Year's Eve with two of my closest girlfriends, Katie and Morgan. Of course, we did the standard New Year's Party and toasted with a glass of champagne and midnight. But at approximately 12:02 AM the three of us looked at one another and collectively decided to get In-N-Out and go home to our jammies! Lame to some, but I wouldn't have had it any other way! We all woke up feeling fabulous the next morning and started our year off right. We enjoyed a morning hike up to Griffith Observatory followed by an afternoon at the beach in Santa Monica. The highlight of my day was riding Ferris Wheel on the Pier for the very first time. (It's been on my list since I moved here almost 2 years ago!) Scroll for a few photos...