The clock is ticking on 2013…We are ready to ring in a new year, and have big plans for 2014! Still, I am thankful for this past year, as it is the barrier between 2012, a year that I had been ready to see in my rear view mirror. While 2013 certainly handed out its own unique challenges, it has been a really great year.
2013
January
We started out the year standing for hours in the freezing cold hundreds of yards away from the Capitol to watch the 2nd inauguration of Barack Obama. Totally worth it!
After the swearing in (no literally…right after….) we rushed off to Dulles airport so I could leave to Doha for a 2 week business trip. As you will see in February and March, it ended up being 2 months!
February
I spent February in Doha putting out work fires. Although we were so far apart, Erin managed to find a florist and have flowers delivered to my room for Valentine’s Day. Amazing. Yes, you should all be jealous.
March
In March Erin attended the OutServe gala in DC which is an organization serving the LGBTQ military population.
I got henna’d.
April
In April we celebrated Erin’s 34th birthday with a visit from her parents. . . .
We enjoyed a beautiful DC Spring. . . .
and Erin started her new career in skin care at the Aveda Institute!
May
2013 was the year of road trips it seems. We didn’t take any big trips, but spent a lot of time in the car exploring our new coast. Trip 1 was a long weekend in Vermont.
And my grandma came for a visit!
June
I celebrated my last birthday in my 20’s, and the countdown to 30 began 😮
And, my mom moved back to the United States after spending the past three years in Turkey. She and her cat Charlie stopped by for a visit on her way back to Seattle. Charlie then stayed on for a nearly 6 month visit (Too long, Charlie. Too long.)
July
Our second road trip was in July which we spent with some of Erin’s friends in Virginia Beach. Erin was first stationed nearby in Norfolk, VA – and so she showed me around, including a tour of the base.
We took advantage of our location in Southern VA and took a day trip to the Outer Banks in NC.
We also spent a day at Colonial Williamsburg.
August
I headed out to Seattle to see my family and help celebrate my nephew Rogan’s 1st birthday!
September
For Labor Day we headed out to Amish country and York, PA for a quick B&B stopover. I was really getting into cycling at this point, and took a beautiful ride from Cockeysville, MD to York, PA passing through some cute towns along the way.
At the end of the month we took our final 2013 road trip out to central Illinois to celebrate the wedding of two of our Monterey friends, Chris and Brandy! It was so awesome to be able to make it out to see two of our favorites get married!
October
We celebrated our two year anniversary – by me being once again thousands of miles away in Doha. But, it just gave Erin a chance to send me more flowers!
And I did my first metric century ride in St. Michael, MD!
November
I was back in Seattle for Thanksgiving!
And my mom and I ran the Seattle Turkey Trot 5K – so fun!
The low point of the year was November 19th. After a nearly 3 year battle with a rare brain tumor disorder, my childhood neighbor (who I have known since I was 5), and mother of 3 children under 6, passed away at 29. I am deeply saddened when thinking about her family and young children who will be without their mommy. You can read her story here: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/warwick-family-/71801
Erin also started massage therapy school – part 2 of her career change. She’s loving it, and seems to have a natural talent for it, too! And I encourage her to practice often – sacrificing my time and muscles to the cause 😉
December
We celebrated one year in our DC area bungalow, and …
Erin headed home to Santa Rosa for Christmas to spend some much needed time with her family.
And there you have it. 2013. A good year.