As the year comes to an end, I wanted one of my last posts to be a full recap—month by month. Mostly, I’m doing this so my brain can’t con me into believing I did absolutely nothing this year. So, let’s begin.
January:
Oh god, that was so long ago. It’s hard to remember, but this was the month I went to Québec and saw a polar bear for the first time ever. I also tried skating in the forest—which mostly consisted of me sitting while my friend pushed me around. I saw an ice hotel too, which was pretty fucking cool.
February:
My favorite month of the year—my birth month! I turned 25, hosted a six-course dinner, and went on a solo trip to Boston. Busy doesn’t even begin to cover it, but I loved every second. I don’t think I’ll ever cook a six-course meal again though—that was truly a pain in my ass. I also made a carrot cake (my favorite cake), and it was delicious. 10/10 birthday.
March:
This month started on the beach, which was pretty fucking awesome. I traveled to Florida for one of my friend’s bachelorettes. It was a time—a very drunk time. I came home sunburnt but happy. It was also my first time seeing a friend from back home since moving to grad school.
April:
I was deep in my sourdough era… an era that no longer exists because, honestly, I don’t really like sourdough. I like yeasty bread, not sour shit. That said, the inclusions were fun to experiment with. I also spent a lot of time in Acadia trying to finish all the peaks now that the snow was finally gone.
May:
I finished all my peaks—thankfully! I also drove back home for the first time in a year and stopped at Shenandoah National Park on the way, which was pretty awesome. I got to see one of my friends get married and reunite with people I desperately needed to see. Best of all, I got to see my dad and eat his cooking, which I missed so badly. I also hiked LeConte, a bucket-list mountain for me—so go me!
June:
I drove back up to Maine, but on the way I stopped at New River Gorge National Park. No cell service, which was everything I needed and more. I bought myself a paddleboard and spent a lot of time on a lake teaching myself how not to fall—and how to get back on when I did. I also saw The Weeknd in concert…the only man I’ll ever see in concert.
July:
I went to Ohio for a conference and visited yet another new national park—Cuyahoga Valley. It was a short day trip, but I saw a stunning waterfall and got Indian food afterward (which was delicious). And because I flew, I got Auntie Anne’s in the airport—the most superior food in the world.
August:
By far a busy fucking month. I was at the peak of my research, picking blueberries and drowning all at the same time, but somehow still made it to the Bay of Fundy in Canada. I saw big rocks, and even better—my friends loved the big rocks more than I did. One of my good friends also moved away, which was pretty sad.
September:
This month tried to kill me. Between running and training for my half marathon, it was very much a make-or-break month. But—I FUCKING HIKED KATAHDIN. Unreal. Every moment. I would do anything to relive it. I also hiked another 4,000-footer and then completed the Presidential Traverse in New Hampshire. I climbed Mount Washington—and all the other presidents. I lost four toenails this month.
October:
I ran a half marathon and earned my first medal in Maine. It was the first race I didn’t cry at the finish line. I also ran away to Burlington, Vermont, ate some of the best pizza ever, and did a lot of writing while I was there.
November:
I slowed down and baked a lot of muffins—because I can never get enough carbs. I also made my first pie completely from scratch, crust included. Cranberry chiffon pie, now my second-favorite pie.
December:
I ran my second half marathon and then immediately signed up for another half and a full for next year—very exciting. I’m heading to Canada on a girls’ trip in a few days, and I bought myself a pink KitchenAid mixer.
It’s been one hell of a year—packed with memories I love. Pretty stupid that my brain tried to tell me I did nothing. Anyway…that’s my recap.