A year in review

2015 is coming to an end. Crazy huh? Time really does fly.  The realization that the year is coming to an end brings out the sentimentality in me. So with a scroll through my iPhone library come a few highlights of the past year.

New Year’s Eve/Jan 1st, 2015

With one of my best friend’s finally moving in with me to the other moving away, both joined me for a night at JRDN. The setting, ehhh. But then again, it’s always the people and not the place that create the best of memories.

JANUARY

“Crashed” the Republican National Convention. Pleasure meeting you Scott Walker.

Revamped my then apartment. Two girls and lots of trips to Home Goods and Home Depot later, the apartment started to finally feel like home.

Enjoyed the most entertaining game of soccer ever. Bubble soccer, just do it

Spent a sister weekend gorging on Juniper & Ivy and “selfie”ing with Richard Blais.

FEBRUARY

Watched the Superbowl at Juniper & Ivy, with Richard Blais. Pretty sure I was more entranced with the experience than the game. 

Took a field tour of the San Diego Airport. 

Attended my first ever ship christening at the NASSCO shipyards. 

MARCH

Celebrated the anniversary of Puesto at the Investor’s dinner.

Ate a 15 course chef tasting meal at Juniper & Ivy.  One word: incredible.

APRIL

Flew to home away from home – Portland – and went spelunking (google it) through one of the largest underground caves.

Cheered on the Padres, quite a few times. 

Showed off San Diego to one of my study abroad roommates turned best friend.

MAY

Celebrated Opening Day at the San Diego Yacht Club.

Won tickets to see The Piano Guys in concert.

Completed my first ever districting campaign in the City of Chula Vista.

Celebrated UTC's revitalization at the "Uncorked" event. 

Ate, drank and read with Brian Malarkey at the annual Eat.Drink.Read fundraiser, benefiting the SD Council on Literacy. 

JUNE

Moved into an even better and bigger home sweet home.

Coordinated a summer social and fundraiser to support PR programs for San Diego students.

Ventured off to Europe with the fam. Landed in London to realize our bags were lost… and so they were, for the next two weeks.

Visited the homeland of my parents, Ukraine and fell in love with the people, the culture and the food.

Worshiped alongside thousands of other people at Franklin Graham’s crusade. Praise be to God for all
the lives saved that day. 

Fell in love with Austria. 

Felt like a princess while visiting Neuschwanstein Castle.

JULY 

Went to Prague and was blown away by its charm and beauty. 

Reminisced at home - Riga, Latvia. 

Visited Istanbul and experienced a whole new world full of color and culture. 

Brought out the superheroes at the San Ysdiro Health Center's Marvelous Gala at Hotel Del. 

Visited my soul sister in San Francisco. Walked 20 miles each day and ate some of the best Indian food I’ve ever had.

Went to a military ball.

AUGUST

Was surprised with so many birthday celebrations I lost count.

Won tickets to the Best of San Diego party/sipped and sampled some of the best SD has to offer.

Celebrated as friends said “I do” at one of the most love and family filled weddings I’ve been to in a long time.

Witnessed my sister making the best and biggest decision in her life, her baptism.

SEPTEMBER 

Spent much needed time with family, and spent much needed time at the beach.

Helped one of my best friends say “Yes to the dress.”

Experienced San Diego’s first ever KAABOO music festival.

Visited Colorado for the first time, celebrated more friends saying “I do.”

Formed incredible friendships with my Rock Church small group and gained new friends for life.

OCTOBER

Saluted the Republican Party.

Celebrated the soon to be arrival of Baby Amelia.

Coordinated my first ever “food truck night.”

Flew to Portland and secretly photographed the proposal of a couple incredibly dear to my heart.

Cheered on my firm as they swept the PRSA Bernays Awards 2015.

NOVEMBER

Was serenaded by San Diego's production of the Phantom of the Opera. 

Dined at the much anticipated "Crack Shack" at friends and family night. 

Ate my weight in tacos at the San Diego Bay Food and Wine Festival TKO showdown.

Celebrated the Super Sweet, Los Angeles Edition, Birthday of my sister.

Checked out what’s up and coming at the 2015 LA Auto Show.  

Welcomed Baby Amelia into this world… and she’s already got my heart. #AmeliaMyHeart

Celebrated the engagement of one of my dearest soul sisters to her prince charming.

Took many, many walks with this handsome fellow.

Left with a full stomach and full heart from our 3rd annual Friendsgiving with my San Diego family. 

DECEMBER

Attended the best Christmas concert in town, The Christmas Collective.

Went to my first ever pro football game.

Dragged a seven foot tree with my bestie from Home Depot to our home, several blocks away. 

And finally… got the best Christmas present EVER.

You may ask how it’s possible that I already know that I’ve received the best Christmas present ever when Christmas is still two weeks away. But that’s because I actually got my present in July when I went on a first date with my now boyfriend McLain. I almost don’t want to say “boyfriend” because it almost cheapens the meaning of who he is and what he means to me. He is more than just a boyfriend, as he has become my best friend, my prayer partner, my biggest cheerleader, and my unconditional supporter, and I am so excited to enter into 2016 with him. 

This year has taught me a lot. A lot about learning to truly walk in faith and not by sight. Sometimes my analytical personality gets the best of me. I process situations and people and opportunities in so many angles sometimes, to really get down to pros and cons to make what I think will be the best decision to the point where I just overthink the whole thing. This year, I’ve thought and prayed a lot about letting go, and relying and trusting more than ever in God’s timing and God’s plan. Letting go of self and plans is hard, but I will say, it’s been so rewarding and there's been countless reminders that when we walk with God, there is so much love and joy and peace to be found in every day, in every mundane or exciting moment, and in the least of places. I’ve been blessed with new opportunities, new friendships, and as I’ve mentioned above, the relationship I’ve so long prayed for. I am so thankful also for the trials this past year brought; the many tears; the unknowns; the inconveniences; and the risks.

Come 2016, I am not looking to “reset” or “renew” myself , but rather, I hope this next year is an extension of these past  months of walking in faith and confidence, and ensuring that my choices reflect my hopes, and not my fears.



Editors Note:
P.S. This adorable picture of us is brought to you by Pixster Photobooth, the premiere photo booth rental company in San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, and Austin. Pixster provides fun and creative photo booth rentals for weddings, corporate events, and parties, and happens to just be McLain's company. Check them out for your next event :).