Year In Review 2010 with meme
January
- Brandon and I hosted our very first party at our newly moved in condo. We were surrounded by close friends and family; it was understated and just what we needed.
- Celebrated yet another 1 year anniversary with Brandon.
- Was inspired to start a list of things I want to do before I die.
- Was a second shooter for a Bar Mitzvah
- Got to see Wicked at the Tampa Bay Preforming Arts Center.
- Attended my second Post Secret event and had all of my books signed. I then gave one to my friend Kianni because I could tell she really wanted a book and I like sharing special things with special people who just experienced something special with me.
- I start a second job doing some photoshop for a local invitation company
- Learned a little bit about how to throw pottery from my dear friend Audra.
- My family comes and visits me in Tampa.
- Did my own taxes for the very first time in my life (usually they're done by a tax guy in Simi)
- Brandon's Grandpa and his wife visit Tampa
- Photographed a high school friend's engagement session; it had been awhile.
- My friend/co-worker Kianni and I spend a much needed day just hanging out at the mall. Nothing special but it was memorable for no particular reason.
- Brandon and I break up. For reals this time.I decide it's best if I move back to California and start packing/ tying up loose ends with work, friends, and family.
- The day after my last day of work I was wheels up and headed to Louisiana. Special thanks go to Bree, Audra, Paul, an JP for keeping me sane, giving me places to crash, and helping me pack.
- I arrived in California after 3 long days on the road.
- Added a total of 100+ things to my life list
- Joined a community service group called Good Juju. Which is ran by a bunch of really sweet/talented bunch of people I basically went to high school with.
- aliciabrownphoto.com was released and turned into a Russian mail order bride web site.
- I start to chip away at my Life List and begin with tackling a vlog.
- I started the Summer of Skype with Nydia who was in Nepal.Good times at 8am!
- Began working on a canvas art piece
- My good friend Stacy came down from San Francisco to help welcome me back home
- Julie moved back to California
- I got my teeth cleaned by the grace of my parents; and cried on the way home from feeling guilty.
- Got a new phone
- Visited Lacie and Dayna in Santa Barbara for the first time since being back
- Started work at my current job
- Took in the Dennis Hopper exhibit at MOCA Museum with mom and Aunt Jenny
- Attended a Lisa Lobe concert
- Joined a super cool Monday night Pub Quiz
- Signed up for an online dating web site
- Watched a meteor shower
- Went on my first date from said online dating web site
- Hosted a yard sale at my place for my charity group
- Decided to cross off another thing from my Life List and dubbed September...Sober September
- Mom and Dad host an EPIC jam session on Labor Day
- Got "The Pie Mafia" back together for a meeting
- Got gussied up for the Good Juju Calendar Release Party and took tickets at the door. Then drove like a bat out of hell up to Santa Barbara to feed Lacie's rabbit. Also took in some beautiful scenery while I was there.
- My sista with another mister (Nikki) came down from Oregon to visit with me/take me to The House of Mouse (err Disneyland!)
- An epic month with 5 Saturdays, 5 Sundays, and 5 Fridays. Heck ya!
- Supported my child hood friend Krystal at her first solo fashion show
- Went to Vegas to see my cousin Melissa get married
- High school friends Ariel and Vander get married
- My bestie from kindergarten leaves our home town again for Washington
- Showed up to a Halloween party dressed as Juno. Complete with tic tacks and a huge jug of Sunny Delight.
- Interviewed for a seasonal position, was offered the job, and lost it all in one foul swoop.
- Nydia returned from Nepal
- Attended a baby shower
- Watched Harry Potter on opening night with mom, dad, and Nydia.
- Started seeing a guy that could possible have some real relationship potential.
- Photographed a paid engagement session for an old friend
- Watched a very obscure Czechoslovakian film out in Hollywood.
- Assisted my girl Lacie on a full fledged studio photo shoot
- Saw Rockapella (of Where In The World is Carmen San Diego fame) in concert
- Chilled out at a great board game party
- Went to a great pot luck party and bonded with one of my ex's high school peers. Odd.
- Survived the holiday retail season
2010 MeMe
1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
Started a life list and actually getting serious about it. Shot a Bar Mitzvah . Learned the basics of throwing pottery. Attempted to have two jobs going at the same time. My taxes.Joined an internet dating web site.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't remember if I did or not. Let's just say they were what they are every year (floss more, curse and complain less) and let's face it. I can never seem to do those. So this year I've pointed out all the good things that I did this year and decided to do more of the same. Also, I'm making it a goal to focus on 2 of the things from my Life List. #47 take a photoevery day for a year. And #57 read a book each month for a year.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Rachel, my friend from high school, gave birth to a baby boy in October.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My childhood pastor and our good family friend.
5. What countries did you visit?
None still. I do not have a passport but it is number one on the life list.
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
Balls. Guts. Fire.
7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
June 8. The day I can back to California after being in Tampa for a little over a year.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Driving across the country in 3 days by myself. Admitting that I needed help and support.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not pushing myself to be a better me. Wallowing in self pity for far too long.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Gladly, no.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
The new clothes I got from my work.
12. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I'll give you 3 guesses and the first two don't count.
13. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Mom, Dad and Lauren for accepting me with open arms and their endless love during my healing process
My Tampa friends- for putting me up when I needed it the most. For helping me pack and lending an ear
Nydia, Julie, Heather- for reminding me how to have fun again and being great people to lean on
14. Where did most of your money go?
Loans, rent, food, gas, bills.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The visit from my family. Friends coming home. A new chapter in my life.
16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
This is kinda like a Top 100 list but seriously, the soundtrack to 2010 for me...
The Beatles- "With A Little Help From My Friends"
Jessie J- "Sexy Silk"
The Cinematic Orchestra- "To Build A Home"
Katy Perry- "Fireworks" and "California Gurls"
Mumford & Sons - "Little Lion Man"
Temper Trap- "Sweet Disposition"
Cee-lo Green - "F*** You"
Kanye West "Power"
Anything by Lady GaGa
Christina Agulera- "Bobble Head"
Taylor Swift- "Fifteen"
Adam Lambert- "Whataya Want From Me"
Jay Z with Alicia Keys- "Empire State"
Black Eyed Peas- "Imma Be"
Far East Movement "Like A G6"
La Roux- "Bulletproof"
David Guetta ft. Akon-"Sexy Chic"
Timbaland ft. Justin Timberlake-"Carry Out"
B.O.B ft. Hayley Williams- "Airplanes"
Eminem ft. Rihanna- "Love The Way You Lie"
Yolanda Be Cool & Dcup -"We Speak No Americano"
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? sadder
ii. thinner or fatter? thinner
iii. richer or poorer? poorer
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Church. Grown up more. Stand on my own two feet more. Put on my "big girl panties" more. Traveled more. I wish I had done more painting and pottery. More cultural things.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Whining. Making things all about me.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I rang in this Christmas at church with a candle light/communion service. Julie came over. We sang some carols with dad on guitar. Went to bed at 4 or so. Woke up around 10am. Unwrapped gifts. Watched movies. Got a major headache. Fell asleep. Ate a yummy yummy dinner of Cornish game hens. Talked with my sister for an hour or so. Watched more movies. Fell asleep. Took nothing for my headache...couldn't move.
22. Did you fall in love in 2010?
No. But I fell out of love.
23. How many one-night stands?
One.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Glee. Biggest Loser. Lost. Grey's Anatomy.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Yes.
26. What was the best book you read?
There's a (Slight) Chance I Might Be Going To Hell:A Novel of Sewer Pipes, Pageant Queens, and Big Trouble
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
"Bobblehead"
28. What did you want and get?
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Three way tie between Inception, The Social Network and Black Swan.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
32.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
IKEA uniform for the first half. Boutique associate chic for the second. A.k.a.- dress pants, skirts, dresses, and nice blouses. In my off time it was PJs, jeans and T- shirts.
34. what="What" kept="kept" you="you" sane?
My sister. Mom and Dad. Faith. Smoking. Music.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Jim Stergis as always. Javier Bardem of Eat Pray Love fame. Jesse Williams on Grey's Anatomy.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
I was worried about the whole heath care thing there for a moment.
37. Who did you miss?
When I was in Tampa I missed my family like woah. Like, heart achingly so. And now that I'm here, I really miss certain places and all my people back in Tampa.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
My girls at work- Jenni, Teresa, Brittany
The shiny new boy
My Good Juju pals
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010:
Open your eyes.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I spent a good deal of 2010 moping about, running away, and I know that those days are indeed, over.
Florence and The Machine- "Dog Days Are Over"
Happiness hit her like a train on a track
Coming towards her stuck still no turning back
She hid around corners and she hid under beds
She killed it with kisses and from it she fled
With every bubble she sank with her drink
And washed it away down the kitchen sink
The dog days are over
The dog days are done
The horses are coming
So you better run
Run fast for your mother, run fast for your father
Run for your children, for your sisters and brothers
Leave all your loving, your loving behind
You cant carry it with you if you want to survive
The dog days are over
The dog days are done
Can you hear the horses?
'Cause here they come
And I never wanted anything from you
Except everything you had and what was left after that too, oh
Happiness hit her like a bullet in the back
Struck from a great height by someone who should know better than
that
The dog days are over
The dog days are done
Can you hear the horses?
'Cause here they come
Run fast for your mother, run fast for your father
Run for your children, for your sisters and brothers
Leave all your loving, your loving behind
You cant carry it with you if you want to survive
The dog days are over
The dog days are done
Can you hear the horses?
'Cause here they come
The dog days are over
The dog days are done
The horses are coming
So you better run