In December, I like to reflect on the year — highlight the big moments, think about the challenges, and ultimately focus on the things I want to remember, before jumping into planning for the new year. While some years are remembered as predominately joyful or painful — 2014 was a pretty positive year. I’ll take it when I can!

2014 marked my first full year of self-employment, moving into a real House in Portland that finally feels like home, getting engaged, tons of travel, running, food, friends, and family time.

Some of my 2014 things that I’m proud of:

• Visited 3 new countries – Portugal, Czech Republic, Germany
• Worked and lived in Valencia, Spain for a month
• Saw my sister and baby niece 4x – Feb, June, July, December
• Ran three races – a 15k in March, a 10k in May, and my second half marathon in August
• Ran 280 miles
• Moved into a real house – and learning the quirks of an early 1900s farmhouse – so much charm, nothing is square!
• Slowly decorating our home – I’m still using the Apartment Therapy philosophy
• Started a monthly Breakfast Club
• Focus on traditions – advent calendar, Memorial Day trip, summer list, Breakfast Club etc.
• Hosting: a house warming party, Breakfast Club 2x, and family for Christmas
• Visited a new North American city: Portland, Maine and Boston!
• Survived my first year of business at Early Bird Strategy
• Post half-marathon focus on overall fitness and strength
• took 4 “mini break” trips! (meaning: local or west coast – Bend, Victoria, Vancouver, Kennewick)
• days traveling: 98 and 46,504 miles; new countries: 3, total countries: 5 (Spain, Portugal, Canada, Germany, Czech Republic)
• read 4,163 pages (or so Goodreads tells me)

2014 in Pictures:

JANUARY: FLORIDA + NORTHWEST OUTDOOR WINTER TIME

FEBRUARY: FAMILY VISIT + SNOWY GETAWAY + EPIC SNOW DAYS

MARCH: 15K IN PORTLAND + MADRID & PORTUGAL TRIP

APRIL: LIVING IN VALENCIA, SPAIN – PRETENDING TO BE A LOCAL

MAY: BEND, OREGON + 10K + HOUSE HUNTING + KAYAK CAMPING

JUNE: FAMILY VISITING + VICTORIA, BC + PACKING HOUSE

JULY: MOVE TO NEW HOME + NIECE’S 1ST BIRTHDAY IN KAILUA

AUGUST: RUNNING! + GARDENING + 2ND HALF MARATHON IN BC

SEPTEMBER: FALL! + GOT HEADSHOTS FOR BIZ + CAMPING IN HOOD RIVER

OCTOBER: BREAKFAST CLUB + FALL ADVENTURES + GERMANY & PRAGUE

NOVEMBER: BERLIN + GOT ENGAGED + MAINE & BOSTON

DECEMBER: HOLIDAY FUN + HOSTING FAMILY CHRISTMAS FOR THE 1ST TIME

 Happy New Year!