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Wait, 2013 is leaving?

As cliché as it is, I can’t believe today is the last day of 2013. This time of year always nudges you to reflect on the past 365 days, all the things that’s happened, places you’ve gone and people you’ve spent time with. So many flashbacks of big and small experiences, beautiful faces and funny exchanges. In short, I am so so grateful for this year and all its blessings and trials.

I had welcomed 2013 in with my closest cousins in Seoul. We were sitting in my hotel room which had been my home for 3 months, watching fireworks, drinking wine and eating cake. Though it was special and memorable, I remember feeling quite lonely and missing home. This time, I am back at homebase and it has been so amazing spending time with family and friends, celebrating the holidays with those whom I love. I’m looking forward to counting down the seconds to 2014 here.

Looking back through my journal, I am amazed at all the places I got to see this year. Tokyo, Dublin, Glasgow, Portland, Quebec City, Reykjavik, Paris, Brussels, Brugge, Amsterdam. All fairly unplanned and with such amazing company. Each of these experiences taught me new perspectives and gave me fresh appreciation for what the world has to offer and the warm place I call home. And that I have so many flaws as well as unhoned talents I need to recognize and work on.

2013 was also the first full year I spent living in New York and it made me fall so deeply in love with the city. I complain a lot about its filth and crowded spaces (it’s so dirty!), but I wouldn’t trade in this experience with anything else. It has made me stronger (at many times grumpier) and wiser. I honestly didn’t spend nearly enough time exploring the city and taking in all that it has to offer. One more thing to look forward to in 2014.

Here’s to 2014, another year of adventures. Learning, honing and appreciating. Cleaner eating and exercising, being less cynical and taking in more of what is around me. A year of loving, growing and spending time with those who truly matter. Being compassionate to others as well as myself. Thank you, 2013! Cheers, 2014!