2010 - My Year in Review

I know I'm a little late, but it wouldn't be me if I hadn't procrastinated, right?

Here was my 2010:

January - I rang in the New Year with friends in Oxford. America watched Tim Tebow play his last collegiate football game...and probably cried. The Bengals lost to the Jets in the playoffs and I reacted dramatically. I applied to UVA and UC law schools. I was humbled by an enormous earthquake in Haiti. I witnessed (drank Dr. Pepper in) an epic Derailed bar crawl in Oxford.

February - Brendan Burke was killed in a tragic car accident. I listened to Cleve Jones speak and became passionate about gay rights. I complained about how painfully close "Who dey" is to "Who dat?" I spent another single Valentine's Day with some amazing best friends. I drank the Kool-Aid and finally saw Avatar. Jenn's amazing grandpa, Bob Weiss, passed and I mourned like he was mine, too. I obsessed over Olympic hockey. I cheered so loudly when Crosby scored the game-winning goal that the FBI tagged me for surveillance. I "Jumped Around" for the last time as a Miami student.

March - I celebrated my last Green Beer Day as a Miami student. I prowled Beale Street in Memphis for BBQ and blues. I drank Hurricanes, took a haunted history tour, ate beignets at Cafe du Monde, threw beads from a balcony on Bourbon, visited a cemetery, and danced like a maniac in New Orleans. I sampled drinks at the Coca-Cola museum and went to my first NHL game (Thrashers vs. Rangers) in Atlanta. I dressed like Mrs. Peacock from Clue at a Marchoween party. I swooned over Michael Buble and Naturally 7 at US Bank Arena. I saw Norm MacDonald's stand-up routine.

April - I traveled to Detroit to see my Miami Redhawks play (and lose) in the Frozen Four. I served as referee for an intense game of Pub Golf. I listened to Ben Harper in Charlottesville and relaxed with my two best friends.

May - I took my last set of undergrad exams. I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Miami University with a 3.86 GPA and university honors. We signed the wall at Underground and said goodbye to Piano Man. We partied hard for the last time in Oxford. I said a tearful goodbye to some of the most amazing people I've ever known. I moved back home to Lebanon. The Penguins lost to the Habs in the playoffs. I went to my first Cincinnati Cyclones game. Simon Cowell left American Idol. *sigh*

June - I relaxed in the beautiful Dolomite mountains in Cadore, Italy. I wandered the streets and canals of Venice and fed pigeons in San Marco Square. I explored the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Vatican in Rome. I saw David, watched the sunset from the Ponte Vecchio, and ate too much gelato in Florence. I posed for goofy pictures with the Leaning Tower of Pisa. I feigned interest in the World Cup (and tolerated the vuvuzela) for one reason: Cristiano Ronaldo. I experienced Dave Matthews in the greatest environment possible - a massive thunderstorm. I declined admittance to the University of Cincinnati's law school.

July - I started my new blog. I celebrated the 4th of July in Columbus with friends and Red, White, and Boom...then, celebrated it again at Red, White, and Blue Ash with Yes and Peter Frampton. Lebron James took his talents to South Beach. I got new transition glasses. I watched my dear friend Devon marry Alex in a beautiful wedding. I tried to hide myself at the Warren County fair. I partied in Louisville at 4th Street Live and fell in love with Howl at the Moon piano bar. I saw Steve Miller Band, the Avett Brothers, the Zac Brown Band, and Dave Matthews Band perform from breathtaking seats in Churchill Downs. My dad retired after working for nearly 25 years with Luxottica. I saw John Mayer and Train perform at Riverbend.

August - I traveled to Baltimore for the first time to see family. I stalked Michael Phelps, explored Fort McHenry, met Cameron, and strolled in Annapolis. I relaxed in Charlottesville and picked peaches. I listened to some great music with great friends at the Lebanon Blues Fest. Jamie moved into her house in Oxford. I suffered a heat stroke and passed out at Bengals' training camp (#deadsexy). Dad and I dodged glowsticks at a Phish concert in Indiana. I reminisced on college life in Oxford. I got turned down after being on the waiting list for the University of Virginia's law school. I traveled to Indianapolis to see Nick's new apartment.

September - I spent Labor Day weekend in Oxford with friends. I watched Kenny marry Emily. I wondered where Keith was at the WEBN fireworks. I danced on tables at Hofbrauhaus. I traveled to Toledo for my first Ted Fry. I had my nose mole removed. I ate apple fritters at Lebanon's Applefest. I dug up a time capsule with my high school friends.

October - I re-kindled my love affair with Howl at the Moon in Indianapolis for Nick's birthday. The Reds made (and lost in) the playoffs. I watched my brother swear into the US Marine Corps on the field at a Bengals' game. I watched the UVA Cavaliers lose their Homecoming game. I stalked Chris Cooley at a Redskins game against the Colts. I listened to the Dalai Lama speak and attended my first Miami hockey and football game as a graduate. I laughed at Bill Maher's jokes at the Aronoff. I rocked a Penguin outfit in Newport for Halloween.

November - I rode the Navy Pier ferris wheel, ate entirely too much, crushed a girl on the subway, visited Kaytee, and explored Chicago with my best friend (may or may not have stalked Vince and Brian, too). Daniel Tosh cracked my black ass up at the Taft Theater. I furiously whipped my hair back and forth. I cried at DMB's (2nd to) last concert in Charlottesville and danced around with TR3. I drove back to Lebanon alone for a Derailed reunion complete with bull riding at Toro. Ohio State beat Michigan (duh). I ate too much for Thanksgiving at the Koenigs' and stood in line for hours at Old Navy during Black Friday madness.

December - I celebrated the best birthday I've ever had in Oxford and at trivia. I received the most thoughtful gift I could ever imagine from the best friend on planet Earth. I went to my first Penguins' game in Columbus. My brother left for boot camp, but then miraculously, came back. I thought I was dying while watching Jamie ride the bull on her 21st birthday. I nearly peed my pants in Pittsburgh at my first home Penguins' game. I celebrated a wonderful Christmas at home with my family. I had a lovely reunion with the Central Perk girls (minus Cara). I spent New Year's Eve with my parents and Jenn.

If you made it to the end, props to you.

2010 was a life-changing year for me. I lost some people I loved, I left a place I loved, and I am still struggling with the change. I traveled to new and amazing places with loved ones. I moved on after being given the "I don't feel the same way" speech. I took part in my first fantasy football league, started working out, met a ton of Bengals, and sort of got a cat.

It was filled with amazing memories, lots of laughter, plenty of tears, numerous learning experiences, some goodbyes, and necessary self-reflection...and honestly, I wouldn't have had it any other way. I'm a better person for it.

I am so lucky. I can only hope that 2011 will bring me as much joy as 2010 has!