I blog like once a year now. Literally. I know we are technically already two days into 2016, but I still didn’t forget to do my annual Top 15 of 2015. I’ve been doing these posts now since 2011 and I appreciate tradition, no matter how seemly small.
My blog used to have a lot more visitors. Remember when everyone had a blog back in like 2010? Yeah. Blogs have kind of faded, and I was not immune to that trend, but I love knowing that I can have these little posts to look back on and see the highlights of my year all the while looking forward to the new one.
In the past, I have posted the highlights of travel, ellen shows, family get togethers, meeting a celebrity...and while I did those things in 2015, I want to focus this post more on moments rather than what I posted on Instagram.
Below, please find my Top 15 highlights of 2015.
1. Working with the CR team: I had the privilege of working and serving on staff with Celebrate Recovery this year. One highlight that comes to mind is “testing” out Ellie’s table in San Clemente for John and Cheryl for possible catering only to end up just enjoying a great breakfast and morning with my team. (We ended up using Jay’s Catering). Working so closely with Marnie, Jessica, Julie, The Bakers and our dear volunteers will be something I cherish for a long time.
2. Valentine’s Day in Seattle: My best friend, mom and I flew to Seattle for a short 48 hours to spend Valentine’s Day weekend and see Megan Trainer (MEG TRAIN!). Exploring a new city, visiting the Starbucks mothership and seeing the beautiful Chris Barnes are all you need to have a perfect Valentine’s Day.
3. Ellen Show: It was February 11th and my cousin and co-workers were just enjoying another day in the Ellen studio audience when she tweeted her 10,000th tweet and shared it with the audience. “Everyone in my audience is coming back for the 12 Days of Giveaways”. Screaming ensues; I cry hysterically and jump up and down inconsolably. Absolute highlight. No doubt.
4. New York: My favorite walking-culinary experience this year (because that’s a thing, right?) was the food tour in Greenwich Village. I’ve been to New York a bunch of times, but this was a new way of experiencing a familiar city. I still have dreams about the cannoli from Rocco’s Pasticceria and rice ball from Faicco’s and cheese tasting at Murray’s Cheese shop. My future New York visits will forever revolve around food (but shouldn’t they always?)
5. Hawaii: I went to Hawaii for the first time this year! And with my best friend and travel buddy, Natalie, no less. While that whole weekend was magical in its own right, my favorite moment has to be at Steph and Hunter’s wedding when “Bend Ova” by Lil Jon featuring Tyga blasts on the speakers and the whole wedding just explodes on the dance floor like gorillas. I want to relive that entire day.
6. 4th of July: I love spending holidays with my best friend, Lisa’s, family. They appreciate traditions and desserts and I will find any excuse any day of the year to be with them. I feel like the majority of my year is remembered by food, but you guys NEED to know about these desserts we ordered! An array of specialty cookies, mini brownies and colorful cake pops made me feel so proud to be an American and an honorary Birle family member.
7. Nashville Summit: Another place I traveled this year was Nashville, Tennessee for the CR East Coast Summit. We all worked our butts off that week and followed Marnie Buehler around like ducklings with headsets and tasks. My favorite memory is the summit being over—jk wait for it…and going to Steak N Shake with Jessica, Bobbi, Marn and Tanner and stuffing our faces with milkshakes and burgers. We laughed until we literally cried and almost peed ourselves (mostly from pure exhaustion) and that night is going to be etched in my brain forever.
8. Natalie’s 25th birthday: I had so much fun this year organizing and putting together a book filled with 25 notes, letters, and encouragement to Natalie for her 25th birthday. The anticipation the morning of her birthday felt like Christmas morning. I don’t think I blinked the entire time I watched her read her notes, tear up and laugh at the inside jokes that filled the pages.
9. Alex’s boot camp: My brother Alex endured a “Leadership” camp aka just a month long ass kicking from military men. He rose to the challenge, found new strength, was away from home for a month and learned to say “Please” and “Thank you” more often. I was so proud of him. This was a big deal for anyone, especially a 14 year-old. And it was kind of awesome to not share a bathroom with him for a month, but I digress…
10. New job: Biggest change this year in my life? Starting a new job. I accepted a position as a Reservation and Communication Agent at Montage Laguna Beach Hotel and Resort. It’s a completely different career path than I originally intended on taking, but that’s just like God to take us to the unexpected and surprise us with it being a better fit than we could ask for. I have now been working there 4 months and it feels like I’ve been here 4 years. I love it here. I feel confident, comfortable and capable and I’m looking forward to adding more months and years under my belt here.
11. Irish family moves: If you’ve talked to me for more than five seconds, you’ve probably heard me name drop that I have family in Ireland. Correction: HAD family in Ireland. They live in America now! Not just America, but 10 minutes down the street from us. It’s so nice to have them here and be able to spend so much time with my charming cousin Daisy. But shoot, where am I going to stay now when I go to Europe?! #privledgedwhitegirlproblem
12. Taylor Swift concert: The Taylor Swift 1989 Tour was the highlight of everyone’s year I think, yes? Even if this year had been a total bust, I would have had this concert and nothing else would matter. The best part aside from ALLOFIT was 1. Being sooooo close. #floorseats 2. Her talking to the audience and being lifted up like an angel only to sing “Fearless”. UGHHHHHH THE FEELS. She literally soared right over us. I will never be the same.
13. Birthday: My 24th birthday was mostly spent on the first day at my new job, but when I got home I invited all my closest friends and family to just hang, eat pizza and the VERY delicious Taylor Swift themed cake I ordered from my dessert lady. Yes, I have a dessert lady, don’t you?
14. Chef’s table at Studio: Again, with the food related memories. Whatever, this is important. There’s a restaurant called Studio at Montage and it’s 5 star 5 diamond 5 golden rings (idk, but it’s five everything ok?) and it serves a modern French cuisine with a California influence. They have this thing there called the Chef’s Table where the minimum amount your party must purchase to sit there is $3,000. Chump change, right? Well, our team was treated to a five course meal at the Chef’s Table. I tried Foie Gras and still can’t pronounce it properly, enjoyed my first wine pairing meal, and cried happy tears when they brought out dessert. And I got to experience it with my coworkers. I really like them.
15. It’s actually difficult to think of a 15th moment. Crap, what am I going to do when it’s like 2020? Jk tumblr will be obsolete and we will all be in our hover cars. Because that feels farther away than it really is. But just because I can’t think of anything in particular to fill this numerical spot, doesn’t mean that I didn’t enjoy myself. I will treasure rekindled friendships, deep conversations, Saturday morning coffee hangs, spontaneous cousin game nights, late night In N Out runs, borrowed books, pedicures with my mom, all things pop culture, specialty desserts, seeing friends get engaged, crying at the sight of Christmas trees, drinking alcohol again ;-) and always having something to look forward to.
2015 was good, but I love the hope and possibility a New Year brings. See you next year for this annual blog post
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