As I reflect back on 2012, I really have nothing Negative to say! Sure, there were some ups and downs but really.....its life, doesn't EVERYONE face that?! Here is what happened in 2012 for PJ and I:
Note- these events in not really in order..I wrote as I remembered...
- We moved into our apartment we are in now on Jan 1, 2012.
- Dal helped us un pack and we live streamed the ball dropping in NYC
- remembered, no mummers and no cable from just moving in- so we live streamed them too.
- PJ and I took a weekend getaway to Chicago
- I was the MOH of my best friends wedding
- I was fortunate to be able to attend all the wedding festivities such as her Bridal Shower her Bachelorette Party and of course, the wedding (all of which were in NJ)
- I was able to walk in the Susan G. Komen for the Cure on mothers day in Philly which I have not done in about 5 years- this I was able to share with my sisters, Gretchen, Ray and Tracy...oh Can't forget Gretchen's sister Risi!
- For the first time, I even branched away from only walking in Susan G. Komen events and I walked with my friend Monica in the MS walk in Plymouth.
- PJ's 99 Restaurant happened to be on the route of the Breast Cancer 3 day this year and we organized a cheering station for the walkers.
- My sister Becca was able to come to Boston to Cheer the walkers on with us!
- I got to see a 3day friend I met at my first 3day- Bernadette!
- My sister, Danielle graduated from MED SCHOOL this year and PJ and I were able to attend her graduation ceremony at the Lincoln Center in NYC.
- We made lots of trips to New Jersey, but I can't complain- its my home home and I love seeing my friends and family that I miss so much. (although one rant- after doing that 300mile + drive basically EVERY month, gets really annoying!) But I love the outcome once I arrive at my destinations!
- PJ received a temporary promotion as an Operations Director Supervising 4 Restaurants in his division!!! So proud of him!
- My Cousin, Vicky announced that she is going to be having a baby, we found out it will be a boy!! the first boy in the family!!!
- my Bff Angie and Ilya announced they are expecting a baby Girl!!!
- Our friends Kristin and Eric (??) are also expecting!!
- all 3 of them are due around the same time in 2013!
- My bff Cindy and Tom got engaged in March and asked me to be apart of their special day
- my bff Stacey and Dave got engaged and asked me to be apart of their special day!!!
- The best man of our wedding proposed to his Amoré Laura and they too will be getting married!!! PJ is the best man, and I will be happily taking their photos...IN MEXICO!!!
- I took pictures at a wedding for my friend Christina on the beach in Falmouth this past summer!! It was so beautiful and so intimate with only 8 people. I loved it!
- We FINALLY got our passports!!
- PJ and I had a few visitors this year- not as much as we did in 2011 but I think thats because I was in NJ every month!?!
- Our friends Kuj and Julie got Married and I taught them their first dance! (taught them in our driveway..the neighbors loved it)
- A friend from work won dance lessons and I got to teach them their first dance! (taught them at a gazebo in Wakefield)
- We celebrated our 2 year anniversary!!!!!
- For our anniversary, we went on a weekend trip to Lincoln, NH.
- We hiked, ate, drank, played Yatzee- turned it into a drinking game, napped and hiked
- did I mention we celebrated in NH with Troy and Laura???? cause we did :-D
- It was in NH I was talked into really taking photography seriously.
- I got 3 wisdom teeth pulled (the 4th was pulled in 2010.)
- I borrowed an SLR digital camera (Thanks Favorite Father in Law)
- I took my brother in law Jesse's Senior Portraits for the year book
- I took our Cousin Lydia's Senior Portraits for the year book
- I took our cousin Jenna and her beautiful families portraits
- I took a cute kid and his moms pictures from work (Jaedyn and Leighanne)
- I have lots more photo shoots lined up for 2013
- I tested out every photoshop product there is out there for 30 days free
- I got my amazing professional Camera -Cannon Rebel T4i and I LOVE IT!
- I made a chalkboard and its awesome!
- I made EVERYONE's Christmas gift this year
- Christmas decorations were hung up outside our apartment and inside- we got a real tree!
- We have a washer and dryer! Best year everrrrr for Laundry!
- The name Ali B Photography came to life, thanks to Gretchen as we figured it out when she was here on her last visit in November.
- Experimented with lots of new recipies and found an awesome website- Dashingdish.com
- PJ and I started watching our Calories- He lost about 20lbs and I lost about 10 lbs- my first diet...EVER
- I started teaching a Zumba class at work
- We voted for Obama....and he's back in action!
- I got to see Gavin Degraw in concert as well as Train and Andy Grammar at Mix Fest in Boston for FREE!
- Gretchen came to visit in August and we went Whale Watching!!
- We saw TONS of Whales!
- We crossed a few things off our to do list and saw Lexington, Concord and climbed 300 steps of the Bunker Hill Memorial
- I went to Wahlburgers a bunch of times- Gretchen, Monica, and for work.. :)
- I met Paul Wahlberg- Donnie and Marky Marks Brother
- Monica and I hung out a few times and got peddis and created a to do list...which we need to do.
- I went to a Vintage Bizarr with Maria from work- got some awesome photography props- and got some awesome props at yard sales too!
- Went to my 2nd Red Sox game
- My Sister Dal (Danielle, MD.) came to visit us and the Boncek family for Christmas!
- We had a white christmas! not too much snow, but enough to make it white :-D
- My friend from my old office is a Breast Cancer Survivor! <3
- Breaking Dawn Pt. 2 Completed the Twilight Saga Movies...I saw it TWICE...with Maria
Sure some negative things happend, but lets not reflect on them..
Things I am looking forward to in 2013 are.....
- Babies being born!!!!!!!
- Weddings!!!!!!!!! and all events leading up to the special days!
- Our 3 year wedding anniversary (7 together!)
- Trip to Mexico!
- Spending a day with my dad at the Titanic Exhibit in Philly
- Visiting friends and family in NJ/PA
- Kicking off my business- Ali B Photography
- Date nights with my man!
- Possibly a visit from my dad
- Completing things off the "to-do" list I created with Monica and Gretchen
- 2 separate lists!
- 10 year high school reunion.....(not going) ( Can't believe its been 10years!)
- 10 year dance reunion- Alumni Concert- This I hope I can go to!
This post is not complete without my New Years Resolutions right?!? RIGHT!!!
In the year of 2013, which is so weird to think about- and write! I hope to accomplish a few things. I dont even recall having a resolution list for 2012....I think every year I say, "To never second guess myself." Well..I assure you, I am thinking about that right now, but I have a few more things that I def. know I want to accomplish- Second Guessing is part of being human.... I'll try...to try....
In 2013 I plan to
- Kick off Ali B Photography
- Need to make ANOTHER list of goals for that
- Run in a 5K ( I am not a runner, I am a walker....I think this would be a great challenge, I have been talking about it for a year now, I think its time to suck it up)
- Save $$$$$$$$
- BUDGET!!!! $$$$$
- Attend photography workshops
- Be the BEST wife ever!
- Get better at my job
- Be On Time- Thanks to my husband, I can do this one....Work doesn't count :-x
- Don't dress over whats for dinner- utalize the tons of cookbooks and pinterest recipies I have!!!
- update blogs more often
- read the books on my book list (before purchasing another one not on the list!)
- Wake up earlier so I have more time in my day to do some more ME stuff. I have unopened books that I am dying to read, endless chalkboard design ideas, DIY projects, letters/gifts/goodies to make & send to people and so much more. I get so caught up with things that I NEED to do, that I rarely have time for the little things that I want to do.
- Stay organized. here is my strategy. I always think I need to document everything in excel, or in my phone or some other digital means. This year, I am going back to basics, with a notebook & pen. I am a visual person, I'm hoping this will work better for me.
I am sure I will want to do more things, my mind has been racing these days of how NOW is the time to do all sorts of things since it is just the beginning. I am excited to see what this year brings for PJ and I and I am excited to continue to share with you how we are doing, whats new, whats happening while we are far away from family and friends.
