2010...you were interesting. 2011...you've already put a huge smile on my face.

See!  Jungle :)

Greetings from California!  The first day of the new year has already been a tremendous gift.  I'm writing from my new room, in my new apartment, on my NEW REAL BED!  I've been sleeping on an air mattress for the past 28 days, albeit a comfortable one, but still, my back deserves better.  This morning, I packed up my car (once again) and bid adieu to my island.

I've hit "solid ground" (TI is composed of trash that had collected in the middle of the bay) and man, my soul can tell.  I finally feel like I can start living out here.  My new apartment is so alive!  When I arrived, the sun was shining through the windows and reflecting off the bright yellow (think marigolds) kitchen walls, through the French doors, and all around the numerous plants scattered throughout the space.

I'm really excited for this next year :)

View from my desk. Hello Golden Gate!

With regards to work...holy crap I've lucked out!  I LOVE my new placement.  It's extremely refreshing to be working in an environment where everyone is so incredibly passionate about what they do.  Seriously, everyone I work with is extremely kind, intelligent, and welcoming.  My day starts at 7 and ends at 4 and it flies by.  I'll admit, my acute rehab skills are rusty, but it feels good to struggle a little and be forced to review techniques and information I haven't been able to utilize recently.  I will definitely be a better therapist because of this facility.



Okay...2010.  I wasn't that crazy about you.  You did do a wonderful job with prepping my life for this new year though!  I'd like to share highlighted experiences, both good and bad, from my year in review:

January

 Wow!  An uneventful month!

Leprechaun Hunt

February

 Broken tibia (2 places) and MCL/meniscus boo boo from a stupid skiing accident.  

               Started working for a new company.

Philly

March

Philly Weekend

"Leprechaun Hunt" around Boston. 

Started the process of making my own wine! 

  

Bottled Wine!

April

 Good Friday mass followed by brews at the Sunset.  Random, fun night.  

         My best friends birthday.  I got to spend the entire day celebrating her life!!!  Such a fun day.  

Key West

May

 Homemade beer

        Key West vacation with the family.  

June

 Finished PT!  Able to start running again.  

Greendale

        Reconnected with two amazing friends on a Vermont weekend trip.

        Turned another year older.

     Outdoor deck weather by the water.

Maine

July

4th POPS celebration.

Maine weekend with a dear friend and his family.

Grey Fox Bluegrass festival weekend and night at "Greendale"!

MM and KZ bachelor party.  

August

Call me "Rev"

 Mike and Carissa's wedding.  They asked me to officiate the wedding- incredible honor!

        Falmouth Road Race weekend!  Beat last year's time by 9 minutes!  

        VT weekend before two good friends left for travel assignments in different states. 

  CODZILLA

    Moved out of Southie

Warrior Dash

September

Girls Camping Trip in Maine

Warrior Dash!

Bought a new car.

Labor day festivities on the lake.

Labor Day

October

                                                   Jill's bachelorette party.

Rock climbing with L and her dad.  

Ran (finished!!!!) the Boston Half Marathon!
Cousin's wedding.  

Girl's night in Southie.

Halloween dressed as a monkey. 

BAA Half Marathon

November

 Jill's wedding and being able to reconnect with so many amazing college friends!

        Found out I was being placed in CA for a job.

        Sendoff at Clery's.

UNH

        Drove across the country with my sister.  

December

Hello CA!

        Exploring a new home and job.

       West coast visitor's- you guys rock.  

        Flew home for Christmas.  

All in all...a good year and I'm thankful to see another.  I haven't declared my "New Year Resolution" yet.  Based on my new location, it should probably be something like, "eat fresh vegetables every day...because I live down the street from the most amazing grocery store I've ever been in...and walk to it."  Okay, done, wish me luck!  

Cheers to your new year!