Some of you reading this may know that I have difficulty expressing my emotions. I wanted to take the opportunity to write a thank you/happy new year note to all my friends and family to really express my love and appreciation for you. If you know me, you know that I have a hard time giving birthday presents or Christmas presents even though I think about (and sometimes attempt) the purchase which doesn’t get given. I really wanted to share a bit about this year with you, my nearest and dearest, as I enter a new chapter in my life.  This has been the most emotional year yet. I spent the year living alone after nearly a decade of roommate life, I took an amazing trip to Moab after turning 30, I jumped, sweated, and let loose at several great live concerts (fun, yeah, yeah, yeahs, floater), my manfriend deployed to Afghanistan (estimated arrival is February) whom I recently broke-up with, backpacked in the Jefferson wilderness, traveled to Kona for the first time, and ended the year with taking a new job in a state halfway across the country from where I’ve called ‘home’ my entire life, Oregon.

All in all an emotional year with high highs and low lows. However, reflecting on this year has really called my attention to the most amazing aspect of my life which I am the most thankful for, you; My friends and family. You are the people I can call on when I’m down and out or when I’m ready to get silly. You are the non-judgmental voices who love me for me, all of me, good and bad. Thank you so much for allowing me to call you friend/family.