Let's talk.

Let's talk about 2013.

Shit got real in 2013. All kinds of life happened.

The yearly reflection is upon us. Winter is no longer coming, it has arrived. And with these cold dark months comes the perfect time to review the year we are leaving behind. But, to look at 2013, I am going to begin a bit further back, at 2012. Two years ago, at the end of 2011, as I faced a new year I wrote the below in my journal:

Let me first say, I like 2012 - its a nice even number. Good things happen in even number years. That's not a universal truth, just something I like to think. Walking through the hard place, facing trouble and change head-on, learning from it, growing and moving on... thats what odd numbered years are for...

My 2011 self was full of wisdom. 2012 was a year of fun. It was a year of frolicking in the English sun, seeing the Olympics first-hand, building pyramids in parks and traveling to obscure and wonderful places from Budapest to Auckland.

My odd numbered year, this most recent one gone by, turned out to be rife with change and growing and learning and struggle. But amidst that, it was certainly full of its fair share of excitement and adventure as well. I logged 36 flights that took me to 3 continents, 4 countries and 9 states; moved across an ocean from one major global city to another; opened the first US branch for the company I work for; made lots of new friends and rediscovered my Americanness.

And so, as we are about to say goodbye to 2013, here are some things I learned this year:

1) The weather in America is waaaaay better than in England. Until Winter.

Summer (at 5am)

Winter (at 3pm)

2) Always drink through a straw. Its just more fun. (plus the bodega men always give you one for free anyway)

Even better if the straw is striped

3) Red lipstick and heels can save almost any outfit and make you feel like a star.

4) When you see a celebrity (Hugh Jackman, SJP, Meg Ryan, Colin Firth, Zachary Levi) totally just act cool and nonchalant (and try not to squeal with excitement or shock - embarrassing.)

5) Say yes. For example: "Would you like to move to New York?" Yes. "Let's go to Russia" err. Yes. or, "I have a bottle of Champagne, should we open it?" Yes.

6) But, learn when to say "No." Its important. Really important. Especially when booze is involved.

Birthday beer. Big birthday beer.

7) Never fight with a Russian Babushka. You will lose.

8) Alone time isn't so bad. (I had to move to a city of 8.36 million people to figure that one out)

9) There is just something about Americans. They way they talk, walk, live. I think it is optimism. Get some.

10) Don't go on a date with your personal trainer. Recipe for awkward.

But Don't.

11) Explore like a tourist. Its totally cliche, but way more fun.

12) You know what else is way more fun? The kids table. Kids generally are more fun.

Okay, so not the kids table. But, still fun.

13) Proverbs 3: 3-6 / Proverbs 14: 13 / Proverbs 16:9 (just proverbs. basically.)

(See what I did there? With the Thirteen things? Yeah...)

So bring on 2014. One of those 'nice, even numbered' years. I cannot even begin to imagine what next year will bring, where I will be living by the end of the year or what will, or should, happen in the months in between. Which is wonderfully scary and exciting.

Goals for 2014? Too many. Get a hobby, cook, climb, run, hike, see new things, do new things, make things - make something, anything. Make dinner parties, make music, make poetry, write, make cakes. Just. Make. Be a doer.