It’s been a year in California as of August! I truly can’t explain how fast time has flown by. But, at the same time, I feel like this time last year was FOREVER ago. Do you ever just wish it would all slow down a little?
I have grown as a person in so many different ways, some that I really didn’t expect, some that I am really thankful happened. In my career, I’ve worked really hard to bring new things to the table and constantly push the limits. Health wise, I have made 2018 my year to get back on track. So far, it’s been incredible. The way I feel, eat, look and motivate myself are getting back to how I use to be before losing track. It feels incredible to have control of it. I’ll share more on it all in the next couple of months, but right now, I am still working on trying to be the best version of me. And spoiler alert: It’s SO fun! I have found a lot of joy in it.
But I thought I would look back on the past year and share some of my favorite memories from the last year in California!
We went to Santa Barbara in partnership with the Brisas Del Mar Inn and had a blast! From the morning beach workouts to the late night batting cages, everything about the weekend was an adventure. It was a calm, quaint, beach town that I really loved.
We spent a weekend out in Joshua Tree with our friends Jordan and Noah, camping. It was a super interesting place and and camping there was a big adventure in itself. The wind was crazy and the campsites were lacking, so we have a whole lot of stories from that weekend.
Russ took me to Malibu for our first Valentine’s Day that we actually got to spend together in person. He spent the time collecting all my favorite things and brought a huge picnic with beach games galore. It was such a sweet day that I’ll always remember!
I surprised Russ with a trip to Catalina Island for his 23rd birthday (travel guide coming soon!!). We went Friday-Sunday and had more fun than I could have possibly imagined. It was such a unique little place. We played endless games of pool and mini bowling and made the best of nonstop rain. I am already excited to go back and do it all over again.
For the Fourth of July this year, we got together with our best friends and had the greatest beach cookout ever. All the boys dragged the grill (yes, really) all the way down to the water and we hung out, ate and played kickball/volleyball all day. We went up to the Palisades to watch fireworks and it was hands down one of the coolest things I have ever seen. The fireworks all over LA were spectacular.
I’ve played in different sports leagues with coworkers and we won the sand soccer tournament! Not a ton of people get to work with a bunch of young adults who all hang out outside the office, so I really cherish all the cool things we get to do. And lastly, we’ve had so many visitors out here, from my sisters, to Russ’ sisters, to my sister’s roommates, to college friends, family friends, and one of my best friends from college, Hann. Every time someone comes to visit, I get to show off my favorite parts of the city, see new parts and remember how blessed I am with great friends.
My parents always told us to take advantage of your 20’s and do as much as you possibly can. I see what they mean now. It’s the perfect time of your life to see the places you want, hang out with friends non stop and really focus on being the best version of you. I hope it’s something I can remember through out my whole life. As the first year in California has come to a close, I couldn’t be more thankful for a beautiful place to live, friends I adore, a job I love and a boy who is quite simply, the greatest. I am beyond excited for, a year in California, round 2.
