New Year Post

I'm a procrastinator for sure but I finally got around to summarizing the events of the past year. They have been very exciting! Here is the link in case you want to check it out.

And an extended version here.


We're a week into the New Year and I'm wondering if it's even worth posting at all. But if you can excuse my lateness, here is a belated Christmas letter Happy New Year letter for you!

2011 was the year of greatest changes in my life that I can remember. A few things I did...

Graduated from college

Started my first real, full-time, grown-up job

Moved twice (first to Silver Spring, Maryland, and then to Arlington, VA)

Spent spring break in Israel!

Getting ready to visit a mosque in Bethlehem

Went on a few dates, here and there...

Took part in an 1800s-style ball during my last semester of college

Spent an April weekend in Wisconsin shooting guns and playing with a baby duck

His name is Sir Percival Blakeney

Got really into swing dancing (and placed second in a swing dance competition on December 30th!)

Lost my friend Matthew, a graduate of Thomas Aquinas College, and one of the best people I've ever known

Got really into Walker Percy novels and a band called L'Angelus, a combination that made me desperately want to visit New Orleans (anyone up for driving?)

Dressed up as Little Red Riding Hood for Halloween

Tutored inner-city girls on Saturday mornings

Started three knitting projects and completed none

Met many of my favorite writers and personal heroes: Father Robert Barron, George Weigel, Mary Eberstadt, Michael Pakaluk, Amy Bonaccorso, Mary Ann Glendon (pretty much the most adorable human being ever), Francis Cardinal George of Chicago, Michael Novak, David Brooks, and the inimitable Ross Douthat

Ross Douthat, my favorite journalist

Whew!

I also went to see some plays and operas... Marriage of Figaro at Notre Dame, and Tosca, Les Miserables, and Lucia di Lammermoor here in DC. I even went a little wild and bought season tickets to the opera!

I strengthened my faith life with a more regular prayer schedule and efforts to go to Mass every day.

I freelanced for this online journal, this magazine, and of course, for The Catholic Young Woman.

That was my 2011. I think 2012 will only get better! As Van and Davy would say, "If it's half as good as the half we've known, here's hail to the rest of the road!"

How was your 2011?