Happy New Year, Here’s to 2016!!!
Happy New Year Everyone!
I hope that you had a wonderful holiday season, a very Merry Christmas and a fun New Years celebration last night. Our holidays were nice and low key – no traveling for us this year which was nice but I sure did miss my family!
I really tried to be present this year at holidays and not be stuck in my phone so here are a few quick snapshots that I captured of our holiday week.
Our Christmas tree 🙂
Appetizer spread at our Christmas party
A Christmas engagement!!! This is the pic my mom sent me to announce that my uncle proposed to his girlfriend. I am so excited to have a new aunt in the family!
Christmas Eve at Henri’s aunt & uncle’s house
Christmas morning breakfast! Egg Strata and Monkey Bread!
Running in Big Bear with my love!
Home from a NYE party in time to see the ball drop with some Martinelli’s
The other day I stumbled upon THIS Buzzfeed article and thought some of the questions would make a really good 2015 Yearly Recap.
What did you do this year that you’re proud of?
I took a leap of faith that I’ve been wanting to take for 3+ years! Quitting my accounting job, applying to graduate school for Kinesiology and starting a cross country/track coaching career was scary at first but has turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made!
Who did you meet this year that inspired you?
To go along with #1 – my cross country kids. They all work so hard, are motivated to succeed and achieved some really amazing things this season. They are all definitely an inspiration to me!
What did you read that you think bettered you?
This year I read The Boys in the Boat, the inspiring story of the men’s rowing team from Washington University that became the USA’s 8 Man rowing team in the 1936 Olympics. It opened my eyes even more to the hardships that people will endure for the sport that they love and to achieve their goals and made me so grateful for the relatively easy life that we live today.
What were your favorite movies? Not what was good, not what you had to see because of your friends or the media. What were your favorites?
I didn’t think that I was going to like the new Star Wars movies and protested when Henri wanted to watch the first 6 in order to prepare but I’m glad that we ended up doing it because it made the new one so much better!! I also LOVED The Lady in Gold – we missed it in theaters but watched it at home on RedBox later and I bawled my eyes out. (<- one thing you have to know about me… if a movie makes me cry it’s likely one of my all-time favorites! haha)
What were quotes that you loved this year?
I’ve come across this quote multiple times this year and I just LOVE it. 🙂
What are five things you want to say to people you love?
- I love you.
- I miss you when we are far apart.
- I am your biggest cheerleader and know that you will accomplish all of your goals!
- I am so blessed to have you in my life.
- I wish I was better about calling you more often!
Where do you feel most yourself?
On the track/cross country course coaching my kids – it feels like what I was meant to do! 🙂
What is your favorite photo from this year?
I thought this was going to be a really difficult decision to make but after a second I realized this was the CLEAR winner!
How could anything beat the first picture of my love after not seeing him for 8 looooong weeks!?!
What were your favorite meals?
2015 included some amazing eats –> here’s a rundown of some of my favorites (and where you can find them)!
These burgers, fries and onion rings from Umami Burger (Orange, CA).
These enchiladas poblanas from Casa Romero (Boston).
These Arancini from Matchbox (Palm Springs, CA)
These corn/blueberry pancakes and bacon tasting flight at Cheeky’s (Palm Springs, CA).
These grilled peaches over angel food cake that I made for my birthday dessert.
The Southern Squealer taco from US Tacos (Huntington Beach, CA – now closed 🙁 )
Beignets from Four Friend’s Kitchen (Denver, CO).
Curry Shrimp Tacos from Fish House Market & Grill (Orange, CA).
The Blueberry Cornmeal Pancakes at Haute Cakes Caffe (Newport Beach, CA)
Beef with Broccoli and Pad Thai at Cholada (Malibu, CA).
Who are people that you believe are bringing out the best in you?
This year and for the past seven years this person has been Henri! He is the best, most supportive and understanding husband. I am so thankful to have gone through 2015 with him by my side and am looking forward to walking through 2016 and beyond with him!
What are some things you’d like to focus and work on in the next year?
I’m not usually much for new years resolutions but some of the areas I want to focus on in the new year are…
- The blog – I know I’ve been MIA from the blog world quite a bit the past few months I’m hopping back on the bandwagon so get ready for a lot more TFR action over the next 12 months!
- School – I have three semesters of grad school left so school definitely needs a lot of focus in 2016.
- Coaching – My cross country team had one of the best seasons in a few years this year and I have even bigger dreams for 2016!
- Family – After Henri and I moved back to California I haven’t seen my family much so in 2016 I’m going to focus on calling my family more often and am already planning a few trips home this spring/summer!
What are your biggest hopes for 2016?
That it includes just as much running, great food, love, travel and adventure as 2015 did! 🙂