The year of 24 started off well.
I hung out with my aussie bestie a lot - it was so good to have a close friend in the same country.
I made another fabulous friend and suddenly we were always together, much like my friends in the US. It was great but it was starting to sink in that I would have to leave them when I moved to the US in 2012. Thinking about the future made me a little uneasy, as well as super excited.
A trip to Louisville in March started our St Paddy's tradition.
I saw real snow for the first time. It seemed so fun at the time.
I enjoyed lots of time with this guy. It seemed life couldn't get any better.
While I was back home, my best friend sent me an email that she and her man were now engaged. I was over the moon for her and wished I could be involved. Sadly there is not much you can do from the other side of the world, but I was thankful to be able to attend some festivities and the wedding itself.
It was a hard year for me - I felt at home in the US and in Australia. How was I ever going to choose? Because it's not choosing the country, really. It's choosing between the people.
I did my first (actually running the whole time) race!
Mum and I finally fulfilled her dream of travelling to the US, which included a trip to Disneyland to meet KC and his mom. Our mothers got along swimmingly, and I was so happy. Something was off about KC though, I could tell things weren't right.
We went our separate ways and mum and I went to Hawaii. It was all good until KC called me - I was supposed to be going to Louisville (without mum) after Hawaii but he told me things weren't working out. I had as great a time in Hawaii as I could and tried not to let my mum see how heartbroken I was.
Since changing flights cost a bucketload, I went to Louisville as planned and stayed with friends. We went out, but word to the wise - heartbreak + me + alcohol do not mix.
I was planning on moving there in 2012 and the wheels were already in motion so the plan stayed the same.
I was so happy to see one of my dearest friends go through pregnancy and all that jazz. My cousin had a baby the previous year, but there is something different about it being a friend and being there throughout the whole thing.
Because I was planning to move away for a year, I was convinced I would only miss the first year of this little lady's life and I couldn't wait to be a part of it when I got home.
As you can see I started trying to go darker and I hated it.
My cousin's kids. I made sure to see them before I left, even though it was only for a year.
Truthfully, 24 was probably my hardest year yet. I don't like to think about or dwell on the break up and heartbreak, it happened and it's so far gone it's not even in the same reality anymore. But it was hard. I wasn't eating, I wasn't sleeping - you guys, I wasn't even reading Pride & Prejudice. Shit was low.
What was your hardest year?
You, my dear are adorable :)
ReplyDeleteNot the best year, but all in the past right ;)
ReplyDeleteIsn't it crazy to look back on all of that and to reflect on where you are today? I swear I wish I could go back in time and tell my younger self it will al work out!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a tough year, but I'm glad to know this story has a happy ending and I'm excited to see how it turns out!
ReplyDeleteFirst OMG your hair is SO long! And second, it was a rough year but it ended out perfectly! :)
ReplyDelete<3, Pamela
sequinsandseabreezes.blogspot.com
Girl I can't even get over how long your hair was!!! I think it's so interesting looking back to see what the year was really like - I'm so happy that everything ended up working out!! I think the first year out of college was the hardest for me...new city, trying to find a job, trying to make friends...oye!
ReplyDeleteYour hair is gorgeous in these pictures! My early twenties were all kind of rough years, in and out of a bad relationship until I finally figured out how to let go...live and learn!
ReplyDeleteNO P&P.....IV STAT :)!
ReplyDeleteWe all have years that were really tough, but I'm glad you had amazing friends that made it fun. Your hair is fabulous...all the time every time.
Sounds like a pretty tough year but you'll make it. Thx for sharing with us. Lovely blog here btw! Would you like to follow each other on GFC? Please let me know on my blog so I can follow back. Thank you.
ReplyDeletexox
Lenya
FashionDreams&Lifestyle
It's crazy looking back and seeing how just a little time can make a world of a difference! I think 2 years ago was my hardest year, Hurricane Sandy wiped out our home, and my husband got major back surgery....but I also got married that year too and that was the best day of my life.
ReplyDeleteGirl you hit the nail on the head with "Because it's not choosing the country, really. It's choosing between the people" That's where I'm at right now...only states not countries. I'm glad things have worked out for you though.
ReplyDeleteThat is a tough year, mine was probably when I was 23 and my sister was hospitalized for 5 months. I lived at the ER while trying to graduate university. It was horrible but I really do think it brought my family closer. And I know it's cheesy, but those bad years make us more resilient and better people in the long run, provided you come out the right side.
ReplyDeleteUgh, heartbreak sucks. It's nice to look back on though and see there was a reason for that. Love your year recaps!
ReplyDeleteWell, even if it was your hardest year, you look freakin' fabulous in all your photos! My worst year was 22. I lost my dad, my mom got diagnosed with cancer, and I broke up with my fiance. BOOM. Turns out that breakup was the best thing ever because the following year I moved across the country and had the best time of my life in graduate school! And mom is currently healthy and cancer free, spending the fall in Europe. So I'm convinced that rough times always lead to greener pastures.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to this post every week. I am loving these! 21 was a tough year for me.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to see that even though 24 was a tough year for you that you made it through and things worked out!
I'm obsessed with your braid in these pictures! So pretty! That does sound like a tough year! I couldn't imagine having to try to choose between 2 countries and then add heartbreak into it! At least we know it turns out happy! ;)
ReplyDelete<3 Shannon
Upbeatsoles.blogspot.com
Loving all your braids as well! This definitely seems like a tough year for you :( but it helps us appreciate all of the really good times now - and now you can look back knowing that everything turned out so well! :)
ReplyDeleteyou know it was a hard year if you didn't even read P&P! glad it is over with though!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I don't really keep track too much but I would say my hardest year was either when I was 17, 22, or frankly? This year. Seriously. The upside is that we all get through them. :)
ReplyDeleteThat was a rough year, but at least we know it worked out eventually.
ReplyDeleteOh man, talk about a rollercoaster of emotions! Sounds like you experienced joy, sadness, and everything in between that year!
ReplyDeleteHardest year was for sure when I was 20 - I was dealing with lots of boy drama, it was the toughest year of uni and I spent months and months going for test because I was being followed to make sure I didn't have cancer - it was sincerely the hardest year of my life all around! But then once I turned 21 all the boy drama ended, I was cleared by the doctors, I was starting a new year of uni and I was finally on a better path!
ReplyDeleteI can't get over you with long blonde hair!! You almost look like a different (still beautiful obvs) person! Nick and I went through a similar period after living apart for a year.. it was right as I was graduating college so 2010 wasn't my best year. Thank goodness that everything turned out great for both of us :)
ReplyDeleteMy hardest years were 2011-2013. I'd lost my identity basically and became a person I truly hated during my 2nd and 3rd years in Los Angeles. So I moved back home and am on a continuous upswing now :) As much as it sucks that you had to go through that breakup, I'm glad to know that things did eventually work out. Anything that stops you from reading P&P has to be awful... but you made it through :)
ReplyDelete~Gianni~
I'm so impressed you can remember details of your years... they all blend in to each other when you get older :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a rough year but I am glad you are on the other side of it and it all worked out. I think my hardest year was the sophmore year of college. I was going to graduate early and move back home, I ended up staying and having a blast but it was hard.
ReplyDeleteThe trip sounds amazing with your mom, hough yikes and boo about the other part, that really sucks! At least we know if all turns around :) Some years seem to have lots of highs and lows, and some seem to go by with blink and not much drama.
ReplyDeleteAw sorry 24 was your hardest year yet - at least it's behind you (and KC is beside you). 23 was for sure my hardest year to-date - I got broken up with, quit a job without a new one, didn't know where I was going to live and was seriously depressed. At least we can say (now!) it made us stronger, but damn it sucked at the time!
ReplyDeleteYou're such a good story teller:)
ReplyDeleteLook at you and your pretty long hair! This year seems harder, but we all had a few of those...didn't we?! I wish we could tell ourselves then that it will be ok in the end because it would have made things much easier, right?!?!
ReplyDeleteOh, sorry you had such a rough year but I"m glad that in the end it all worked out!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so thankful that after this rough year, things obviously worked out! I love that you took your mom to Disneyland!
ReplyDeleteMFD and I broke up for about 6 or 8 months. That was a hard year. But an important one for me.
ReplyDeleteThat is horrible! I am glad things ended well though! I cant wait to read about your next (and hopefully happier year).
ReplyDeleteYour looks fabulous in all of the photos despite the hardships!
ReplyDeleteYou have one of the best smiles I've ever seen, seriously. Just gorgeous. We all have tough years, but luckily you came out the other end to much better things :) :)
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely beautiful... 23 and 24 were very, very hard years for me. I was still trying to figure myself out, and that seemed to be when life dealt me the hardest hands. It DOES get better though, and it looks like even through the serious, serious lows (which I'm so sorry about - heartbreaks are the worst, especially when you don't see them coming) you had some very high highs as well - and you looked BEAUTIFUL throughout it all.
ReplyDeleteHang in there - the next year will be a huge improvement for you, I know it! xo
Wow that does sound like a hard year! So much change! I'm really glad we know there is a happy ending though :) Also, you are gorgeous! And hilarious!
ReplyDeleteMy hardest year yet was probably my junior year of college, so when I was 20. I was bogged down with the heaviest, hardest class load I have ever encountered to date, I had a sexist professor (for a class called "Mathematical Physics", where I was already a minority. He sure wasn't doing much to help keep women interested in physics...), there were some serious health issues in my family, and all of my closest college friends were away on study abroad having the time of their lives. Yeah that one was rough... But that summer (when I turned 21), I did an amazing internship and met some close friends with whom I still keep in touch! So it wasn't all bad. :)
"shit was low" somehow funny and sad at the same time.my hardest year was probably 22, right after graduating college i was unemployed and living at home for 3 months wtih my parents. just waiting waiting waiting to hear back from SOMEONE who would hopefully employ me. then i got a job (!) yay! but i had to move across the country for it. thankfully it was back near the city where my college friends lived so that was nice. moved into a house with 3 other girls, one was bat-shit crazy and made my life a living hell at home and had a boss who made life a living hell at work. All the while, I was unhappy wth my boyfriend who i ended up breakign up with. he was a really nice guy, we just werent meant to be... blahhh i wouldnt trade 28 for 22 ever.
ReplyDeleteKnowing that you guys end up together made reading that a little less sad, but I can only imagine how you felt, especially right after your moms meeting. I've had the hardest time transitioning just between states so I can't even begin to imagine how it would feel to move literally across the world! It looks like you had some fun despite everything going on and you looked gorgeous through all of it-- darker hair and all!
ReplyDeleteSo fun! I love love these posts!
ReplyDeleteOh my heart broke for you reading this. My husband and I broke up too while dating, and it was pretty devastating. It was a hard time, he was leaving for boot camp shortly after so there was no chance of communication. Thankfully, when he returned, we discovered we both missed each other terribly. Glad things (clearly) worked out for the best between you and KC!
ReplyDeleteoh, i've had a couple! glad the bad stuff is behind ya!
ReplyDelete24 may not have been the happiest year but its part of the sweet story that got you to here! So happy it turned out well for ya!!
ReplyDeleteLoved the post ! The pictures turned out great and it looks like you had a lot of fun
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