What is life?

I had 11 tubes going, what a fun time it was!

So 2014 came… and it started off with some jolly good times for me. On the 2nd day of this brand new, unblemished year, I was lucky enough to be admitted for a 5 day hospital stay in beautiful La Jolla, CA. 

Is it sounding like a vacation yet? Because it definitely was no where near a vacation. 

I learned that I must have the odds in my favor because I got a 1 in 100,000 person case of a nasty Staph infection that got into my blood stream and tried to take me out. Luckily by the sheer grace of God, the wisdom of my mother and the promptness of my best friend, I got the care I needed just in time before complications set in. Lets just say I am first, thankful to be alive, thankful to not have any complications or suffer any consequences and thankful for the friends and family who came and took care of me. Second, I am done getting sick for the rest of my life and I'm not going back to the hospital unless its time to have a baby. 

Scripps La Jolla Emergency Room… we are never ever ever getting back together. I hope you understand why. 

I am now back at home, resting, recovering and preparing for my final semester of college. Less than 4 months stand between me and my undergraduate diploma. As much as I am looking forward to finishing school and moving on to the next chapter of my life, there has been a question I know I am not the only one asking: "What is life?"

I know it sounds funny and everyone always asks with it with a laugh. But really, what is life? 

2013: A year well lived

Hard to believe that 2013 will be referred to as "last year" in just a few short days. This time last year, I sat down to think about what 2013 would be like and what it would bring. I don't make some long list of resolutions but I did sit down and write myself a letter of hopes and desires, things I hoped that maybe it would bring, things I could work on, and people I could look out for. Rereading the letter a year later, some of things happened and turned out well, some things turned out completely not as expected, some didn't happen and some ill be resubmitting on my 2014 letter.

But overall, I can say that 2013 was one eventful year. What did I do? I guess I kinda did a lot...

I started back at Point Loma after re-adjusting back to life in America after Italy. Moved to San Diego officially into my own home sweet home. Went to the presidential inauguration. Saw Beyonce. Interviewed by British news. Celebrated with friends at their graduation. Landed an ideal student dream job (and paid internship). Had my first summer in San Diego. Explored Seattle. Arranged a secret flash dance mob. Watched free fireworks every night of the summer, courtesy of Sea World. Had the time of my life in the Mansour-Young wedding as a bridesmaid. Felt and turned 22. Surprised with the most incredible birthday party. Started my final year of undergraduate education.Went back home to my childhood land of Georgia. Was a bridesmaid in a childhood friend's wedding. Wished upon a star and woke up the next day with and internship offer by a Dining Magazine. Went to the Getty finally. Crossed the Mexico-CA border by food (just to go to dinner for the night). Ate food from about 100+ restaurants. Learned the ins and outs of the San Diego restaurant industry. Saw John Mayer, Train and Phillip Phillips in concert. Fell in love with exercise. Picked apples in Julian, CA. Ate a cronut. Participated in a swap meet scavenger hunt. Went to Mexico for a surprise family vacation. Traveled to Arizona, had a blast exploring Fountain Hills and seeing the world's largest fountain. Represented Dining Out at the San Diego Food and Wine Festival. Cooked my first 20 person dinner. Met Richard Blais and Sharone Hakman.Went to the San Diego Symphony. Best friend/roommate got engaged (so honored to be your bridesmaid!) Survived my 2nd to last finals ever. Raced in the mountains. Hiked in the mountains and celebrated the best Christmas yet with my wonderful family.