So I know I’m a few days late, but here are my top 13 highlights from 2013, in chronological order:

1 – I quit my job! On January 3rd, I turned in my two weeks notice. I didn’t have a new job lined up, that would be too simple, right? No, I was not happy and I had determined that my unhappiness was due largely to my job and work environment, so I decided to head to unemployment for a while as I figured out what I wanted to be doing and where I wanted to do it. January 16th was, very thankfully, my last day commuting from Connecticut to Manhattan.

2 – I got a new job! After about seven weeks of unemployment (which wasn’t really unemployment as I substitute taught during this time) and job hunting, I found a new job. This job was much closer and in Connecticut, two things I wanted. Now that’s its 10 months later, I can very positively say that this was a very very good change.

3 – Completing the 4th Pilgrimage of New York! On the Saturday of Palm Sunday weekend, three of my girlfriends and I walked from Washington Heights to Battery Park by way of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. This was the 4th PONY and the 4th I’ve completed. Every year there’s a new theme, and a new group of friends participating, but it’s always a great day to spend with the girls and walk some more life back into our faith.

4 – Had my 5 year reunion from Bentley! It’s hard to admit, but I have no choice but to live with the fact that I’m an adult now, there’s no more getting around that. And in June, we drove up to Waltham to visit with college friends and relive college life for one more weekend.

5 – Attended my friends Deaconate Ordination. In June one of my friends, who helped bring me back to the Church after graduating from college, was ordained a Deacon and I was blessed to be among our friends and witness his ordination.

6 – Went on vacation to Colorado! We took an extended July 4th weekend plus the whole week after, and flew out to Colorado to explore Vail, Breckenridge and Boulder while admiring the Rocky Mountains through many new adventures.

7 – Saw one of my best friends get married to the love of her life! The reason we went to Colorado was to see my best friends get married. Her wedding was beautiful (the ceremony was on the top of Vail Mountain, need I say more?) and it was great to spend the 4th of July weekend with them in such a great location.

8 – We made 30 gallons of white wine! The process started back in October of 2012, but after many racks and aging, our Muscat was ready and we bottled 30 gallons of white wine to keep our wine rack stocked for the next couple of years (we have taken a break from making some this year due to our move).

9 – I completed my first 5k! In October I drove up to Providence, RI to partake in the Color Run 5K with my friend from college! We’ve vowed to do another one next fall too 🙂

10 – Bike road for over 30 straight weeks! One of my new favorite hobbies is road riding (bike riding on the road). For more than 30 weeks, I successfully went on at least one ride a week.

11 – We bought a house! On our 3rd anniversary! That’s right, we are homeowners! We bought a house in a quiet little town in Connecticut. Call me a country girl, but I love living in quaint little towns; the city is better of as a destination location.

12 – Took Christmas/New Year’s vacation! Well, it was more of a stay-cation, I didn’t actually to anywhere (other than Grandma’s house for Christmas Day), but it was the first time as an adult that I have truly enjoyed the holidays. Instead of working until 5PM in Manhattan on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, I not only was able to enjoy having those days off, but I had a whole 11 days off to relax, enjoy time with our families and prepare to move.

13- We moved in to our new house! Nothing like a last minute addition, we moved into our new house on New Year’s Eve. It’s still a work in progress, but it’s our home and now we can be there everyday to enjoy it.