Alicia, I really enjoyed your post and you are right, we need to connect more! I unfortunately have not seen many of you in quite a while and I miss you all! Inspired by Alicia's post, here was my 2014:
January:
It was cold! It's not just state workers who have to go to work during the Polar Vortex Alicia, those of us who sell dolls were not cut any slack either. In leiu of a self portrait, here is a picture of my nephew enjoying a snowstorm.
Still cold. Nothing remarkable happened last winter, I don't even remember what I did to be honest. Beyond work I would venture out for a weekly trivia night or showtunes night, (how was I not a theater nerd in high school?), with friends. Seriously, if I ever leave Chicago, Musical Monday's at Sidetrack will probably be the thing I miss the most. If anyone ever wants to visit me on a Monday night I will take you.
I began a battle at work around this time: the battle to move to a new department and the battle to move to a department of the business I did not depise. Also, it was around this time that the shiny wonder of my job wore off completely and I knew it would be time to look for something new eventually. Beyond this job fatigue, March brought a visit from my cousin and a wonderful St. Patrick's day weekend.
Finally a little bit of sun and slight warmth! Also, the best party I attended all year - a local gay bar threw a celebration of the 10 year anniversary of Mean Girls. There were costumes, party favors and so many memories. (I am behind one of the masks below)
Some family time and some adventure. My sister Kelly graduated from I.U. so I traveled down to my favorite college campus for the big event. Immediately following, my sister Meghan, her friend and myself embarked on a southern roadtrip. I've always enjoyed traveling more than vacationing and I love to visit places I have neven been. It's a big world and I want to see as much of it as I can. I immensely enjoyed my time in Asheville, Savannah and Charleston, (the latter being my favorite of the three and now one of my favorite cities).
More family time! I traveled to Minneapolis for a family function and I got to spend some time with Alicia! Also, a job transition at work. I got to leave customer service for a retail department, something I had wanted for a while. I enjoy working with numbers, spreadsheets and inventory. It did not quell my job fatigue completely, but put a six month hiatus on it. Here's a photo of select sistes and cousins.
July:
Ah, Summer in the city. It makes the horrible winters - almost - worth it. Though really, Chicago had a crummy summer. The weather was very mild with not too many days warm enough for laying out at the beach. Also, I traveled to Fort Wayne for the big 10 year reunion and got to see some of you :)
Street festival season! This is the month where one realizes Summer is almost over and that more than half of the Summer bucket list is still unchecked. My favorite thing about street festivals is the great live music. I got to see Neon Trees and Karmin, for free!
I was treated to a visit from Courtney! I also traveled down to Florida to visit my college friend/former Chicago roommate Amy at her new home in Orlando. We enjoyed some warmth as Chicago weather was on the decline. I ended the month at a Lily Allen concert. I've been a huge fan since my London days.
A few last hurrahs before holiday season kicked in. I visited Muncie for the first time in many years for BSU homecoming, visited with Lindsay D, and celebrated my birthday with some family. Also, I started a weekly trivia team with some coworkers. We have two third place finishes to date and are eyeing a win in the future.
November:
More of the same. Holiday shopping season was in full force so I spent the days off relaxing with friends and prepping for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Instead of spending Thanksgiving in Indiana I went to Wisconsin and had an amazing time with some extended family. Decorating turkey shaped sugar cookies is a McGuine family tradition. I'm more of a chocolate person so I prefer decorating over eating.
December:I love Christmas. A lot. Unfortunately work makes this time of year slightly horrible so come January I'm pretty burnt out. Still, I found plenty of time to enjoy the season. Movies, music, zoo lights, ugly sweater parties, quality time with friends and family, it was a lovely season.
Nothing too fancy, just a few friends, some champagne and a lot of laughing. The way I rang in the New Year felt like a reflection of my 2014. Nothing extremely big or exciting happened, there were ups and downs, but overall a year I was very content with. I developed some new, strong friendships, worked hard at my job, and had a lot of fun. My late 20's have been a much more content time for me than my early 20's were, though I think that's a very common theme in many lives. What will 2015 bring? I'm hopeful for a few things - more travels, a new job, a new apartment, and maybe a new city?! But, if nothing changes, I know I will still have a very good year.
Love,
Shannon
Miss you Shannon!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post, dear Shannon! Miss you lots too!
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