Year in review.

It's that time of the year to recall the happenings of 2007 before moving on to 2008. I'm always impressed by how quickly a year passes, and this year proved no less exciting than past years.

1) This was the first year in quite some time that I haven't left the country. Perhaps that's why I'm starting to feel the itch again. I've learned that traveling, especially outside the country, is something that should be a yearly occurrence.

2) I graduated college. Not with honors, not with any distinctions, but I graduated. I thought French was going to be the demise of me but that wasn't the case. I learned that academia is my place to be.

3) I had a one year anniversary with AVH-- the first time in my life that I have had a boyfriend for longer than just a few months. We maintained a dream-like relationship: Ohio, New York City, the boat, Florida. Rock climbing, horseback riding, lake Michigan, hiking, museums, tulips, parties, roller coasters, the cider mill, and many sleepless nights. And then, after nearly a year and a half after I left South Africa AVH broke up with me. I learned from my anger and sadness that potentially the most important thing for me to do is listen to and then follow my heart.

4) I traveled the American West, California, Utah, Montana, Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming. I realized that I don't necessarily have to leave the US in order to feel as though I'm escaping. This country is more beautiful than I thought it was.

5) I spent the summer competing Rowan at training level-- my first time showing in several years. We successfully campaigned and earned a championship at every show we entered, and ended up reserve champion in training level for the MDA in 2007. Go Rowan!

6) I "followed the dream" and moved to Florida so that I could train with a US Olympic dressage medalist. Instead of selling Rowan I brought him with me. I (have already) learned many things about being a dressage rider, about my own character, about other people, and about how much I can take physically.


I suppose you never know where you'll end up. Right?