My expectations for this year were pretty big, after all it was the year of 09-09-09, a day that I was supposed to get married, yes it was a Wednesday and at the start of the year I wasn’t even dating anyone, but a lot could have happened in 9 months right? Well it didn’t, no man, no wedding…but I’m ok with that. Looking back 2009 wasn’t so bad at all. Here’s my 2009 in review:
January:
Just trying to ease in to 2009, nothing exciting happened!
February:
Went to the dentist for the first time in 5 years…only 5 cavities , whoops!
Katie moved back from Virginia to work in Rochester
Took mom to see Mamma Mia at Shea’s, what a great performance! We had a blast
Moved from Lancaster to Cheektowaga at the end of the month. Leah (my old roommate) was getting married in April and her new husband was moving in so I got the shaft! Moved in with Jen and am loving every minute of it…
March:
Went on our annual family week-long vacation to Freeport, Bahamas. Man was it amazing, one of the best vacations yet! We swam with the dolphins, took a Jeep tour around the island, and con-ed the guys at the front desk into giving us an ocean view room because it was our parent’s “25th wedding anniversary”! 3 pools, beaches and water for as far as your eye can see.
Started a new friendship with Laura, an awesome woman of God who has pushed me to lighten my baggage…I can’t believe we’ve only been friends for 9 months, it seems like a lifetime.
Took a fly/road trip to Wisconsin with Erin to follow the Bona’s women’s Basketball team in their playoff dreams!
Decided to start growing my hair out for one of my BFF’s (Liz T.) wedding in September.
April:
Bought my new Macbook. L-O-V-E it! I can’t believe I waited that long, it truly is amazing and so much better than any PC I have ever had.
Officially moved Katie from Virginia to Rochester, we rented a white PT Cruizer for a one way trip from Buffalo to VA, found out that the horn stuck for a good 20 seconds every time you honked it! Rented a Uhaul to drive from VA to Rochester…we packed that thing FULL and still had to leave some stuff.
May:
Went back down to VA to get the rest of Katie’s things, one of the most eventful trips to VA because we saw a dead black bear on the side of the road!
Went to Pittsburgh to be a 2nd shooter for a wedding with Rachel…LOVE those times where I get to spend some un-interrupted time with my BFF’s!
Started playing summer soccer in a women’s league in Rochester, Katie came to every game, and I’d like to think I got better throughout the summer! It was nice to reconnect with some teammates from Naz!
June:
Spent the first few days of the month in Saratoga Springs for work
Participated in the local Ellicottville Relay for Life where we raised over $30,000 for cancer research (I even sang the National Anthem for it)…
Took a roadtrip to Turtle Bay, Kentucky for a family reunion, we stayed for about 2.5 days although it took us 4 days to get there! We had a great time with all of the “Zender’s”..my mom & her 2 sisters and all of their families. It was a couple days filled with golf, swimming, games, food, bonfires, golf-cart racing, and golf-cart jumping! Overall it was a really good time because we were all together.
July:
Mom had elbow surgery on the 1st of the month, so the next couple days were spent home in Allegany playing nurse!
PJ, Bri and some of her family came in for the 4th of July and we had a great time. We played can-jam and homerun derby where my brother and I tied at 7 homeruns through 3 rounds. I’m waiting til this year to beat him!
My 10 year High School reunion took place at the end of the month, and it was a really good time…and that’s when I realized that I look pretty dang good! I got to reconnect with some old friends that I have lost touch with over the years…I can’t believe it’s been that long. “We’re the sparkle, we’re the shine…We’re the class of ’99!”
August:
Went to KingdomBound all 3 days and had a blast! Got to hang out with my great friends Amber, Holly and Shannon and rock out to some great Christian artists.
Shot the Bonaquist-Willet wedding and had a great time…such a great group. I was able to get pretty creative with some shots too!
Got a raise at work!
Celebrated Katie’s Birthday with some Moon Shoes!
Went to my first ever Bachelorette party for Liz’s wedding…oh man!
September:
Celebrated 09-09-09 with great friends, Jen F., Tami P., Laura L., and Rachel! Went to go see the movie 9 in honor of the day!
Celebrated Liz & JP’s wedding, what a day that was…
Took a family trip out to Andover, MA to visit PJ & Bri and to help with some renovations on their new house, that was a busy 4 days…I was on team A, B & C!
Celebrated my 28th birthday…holy crap, I’m 28!
October:
Impromptu surprise visit to VA…
Went to a Women’s weekend retreat in Ellicottville and listened to some great speakers…and found one of my new favorites: Lysa TerKeurst from Proverbs 31 ministries
PJ got engaged!
November:
Headed out to Andover, MA again to help PJ with the house. Dad came out too and we worked hard! Then we all drove to Allegany to spend the week together for Thanksgiving.
The weekend after Thanksgiving Becca and I drove to Pittsburgh to shoot a wedding that Rachel was in. What a fantastic weekend of sharing, laughing, and learning!
December:
Went to Albany with some co-workers and helped watch 4-month-old Brendan, had a great time chilling out, eating out and shopping!
Watched A LOT of Christmas movies and did A LOT of Christmas shopping
Celebrated Christmas with almost everyone…
So overall it’s been a great year, and I haven’t even begun to describe all the changes and growth that I have gone through as a person! I’ll save that for another blog.
But I have learned one main thing: I shouldn’t set big goals that are out of my control…I’ll just sit back and see what God has in store for me in 2010.
So hope you’re able to look back on 2009 like I have…that I’ve done A LOT. I’ll try and make 2010 just as interesting but less about me at times.
