2013!

For some reason I'm not that enthusiastic about 2013 probably because 2012 was too good to me. 

2012
Pros
Officially an OT- passed the boards and graduated!
My good friend Kristy got married
My big sister Jenna got engaged (finally)
Got a job at Kaiser!
Learned to cook some hearty but healthy meals like rosemary lemon chicken (yum!)
Welcomed a new dog into the family, LOLA!
Strengthen my relationships especially with Arshad, my family and friends
Went to the best concert of my life- Almost Acoustic Christmas
Traveled to Zion and Bryce Canyon and redeemed my love for nature
Road tripped to Monterey, Carmel, SF and Fresno to meet up with friends and EAT

Cons
Learned you cannot substitute vegetable oil with corn oil for cooking
Still haven't made a trip Evergreen Cemetery, but I'm sure my dad keeps my grandparents updated (still too soon to go) 

2013 
Resolutions:

• To be more green and decrease my carbon footprint by decreasing the amount of trash I produce, by ceasing my usage of plastic bags and limit my purchase of plastic bottles (this will be hard!), going to an electric waste event at least 2x a year and lastly decreasing how much paper I use. 
• To be more healthy in terms of exercise and diet. I need to at least strengthen my core and eat more vegetables (this will be also hard but I'm taking baby steps).

Some pictures from 2012.

The beautiful bride

Lola!

Road trip to Zion and Bryce

Road trip to Carmel, Monterey, SF and Fresno.

One of our many hiking excursions

Monterey Bay Aquarium

We love aquariums

  

Zion and Bryce.

So I went on a road trip with Arshad and it was AMAZING. I'll let all the photos do the talking but, I've never seen beauty in this form. I think one of the amazing aspects of the trip was seeing older people hike and enjoy outdoor activities. I can't wait to take another trip back to Zion and I don't care if I'm 70 and I need a oxygen tank.

*None of these photos were taken with a filter or photoshopped.

1st day: Blue Skies and the open road

Springdale! Love the contrast in colors here.

Our first hike to the emerald pools

Yes, Arshad took this photo and Zion really does look like this. This photo was taken in a moving shuttle so there's NO FILTER. Crazy.

The beginning of our 2nd hike- The Narrows

We were pretty much in water 90% of the time. *Shout out to Samantha for suggesting wool socks because they saved my feet.  At the beginning the water was freezing but, towards the end I could have went swimming in the water.

slippery rocks!

Our friends along the way. It was fun meeting new people.  Zion is such a beautiful place with friendly people and a refreshing perspective on life.

Orderville Canyon- "Wallstreet"

 Haha flower swim shorts and tourist hat.

The fearless deer. We saw turkeys, deer, frogs, snakes and squirrels.

On our way to the left fork trail. 9 mile hike/canyoneering

Meaning- no paved trails here.

At this point I was climbing and jumping on everything. My ankles started to get weak and I definitely do not suggest this hike for rookies because Arshad and I got defeated by the canyon with scrapes, bruises, sore legs and arms.

 Conquering one boulder at a time

sunset photo after our hike

night drive to Bryce Canyon- 4:30am

 6:00 AM

 6:30AM

 Hoodoo's

    

I hope everyone adds Zion and Bryce Canyon to their bucket list.  It's definitely beautiful in all aspects and a different kind of nature. 

I'm so grateful that I have an adventurous bf that keeps me on my feet and enjoys doing new things with me.  There was definitely one point on the hike, while we were canyoneering that I thought I was going to run out of breath and roll over and it was nice to have someone by my side to encourage me and literally push me to the top. 

I'm definitely loving life and doing the things that I wasn't able to do because of school and etc.

2011

I know. I don't post on here a lot but, I wanted to recap 2011 so that I can (hopefully) forever remember the ups and downs of the year.  I know my closest friends know what a tough year it has been and how much stronger I am because of it.

First Highlights of 2011

My trip to Ghana!
It was a credibly eye-opening and humbling experience to say the least.  The trip made me realize that I want to be defined by the people that surround me and not the items that I own.  I was happy to be fully supported by my family and friends to take this trip.  I did become a pin cushion to prep for it and I got a GI tract infection while I was there but those kids were worth it.

Istanbul and Germany
I was very fortunate to travel with OT people to these awesome countries. I have a new appreciation for grandiose mosques and market places. I love all the details with Turkish art and the color combinations.  

My fieldwork experience at St. Joseph Medical Center...
Renewed my passion to work with the elderly.  Sometimes I think that I love old people because I miss my grandparents.  The acute rehabilitation physician was not able to interact with the patients as much and  I was glad that I was able bring humanity into the hospital and make even the most senile and depressed patients smile.

Happiness!!

My good friend's Kristy's engagement to the love of her life! Better photo coming soon...

(Ok my friend Kristy is on the right and she's not a lesbian but this is seriously the only photo I could find on my computer) We need to take more photos!  

Bittersweet

Having my amiga/good friend leave for Seattle! It was sad to see her go however I'm happy that she's living her life to the fullest...leaving no stone unturned (sorry for the cliche).  I hope I have supported her as much as she has supported me.  All her hand written letters have gotten me through tough times.  One of my new years resolution is to make her a very effective dream catcher. 

The Lowest Low 

Letting my grandmother go...
I remember whispering into my grandpas ear as he was passing away that I would be strong in life for him because that was his piece of advice to me.  I know why he told me to be strong...for times like these when all of my emotions and irritations would be tested and I would have to think straight for the sake of my family and for my future career. I figured out quickly the friends and family that I could count on during this crisis.  Although it was tough, I was able to cut people out of my life that simply could not "handle" me  during this tribulation.

The Sun After The Storm 

The sun is in human form and he is currently my boyfriend.  He helps me float away into outer space to forget what I have lost this year.  I'm very fortunate that my good friend Hanna introduced us and that we grew into something more than what everyone expected.

This picture is Hanna! Haha I'm really horrible at remembering to take pictures during events. I still need a picture of Arshad and I.  

The End.

I'm still feeling the effects of 2011 but I started 2012 with the best family gathering.  Sometimes I get so wrapped up in my studies that I think it's the most important thing but NO! My family is.  I'm very fortunate to have lots of cousins and crazy aunts and uncles that fart in my face and make fun out of any situation. 

Please be good to me 2012 and don't listen to the Mayans.