2019: the highs & lows.

I wanted to find a proper way to close out 2019, and I thought the proper way to do so was to take a lil' trip down memory lane. I'm going to talk about the highs and lows of the past year!

January

• "I've been starting 2019, feeling lost. More than lost actually...". The first words in my journal for the year of 2019.
• sickest I've been in years - made the drive to Connecticut anyways. Went to the shooting range for the first time & loved it. After taking the longest nap, I ended up going to Club Shrine in Fox Woods Casino.
• Lots of television - Bachelorette, Temptation Island, New Amsterdam, the Good Doctor, & Marvelous Ms. Maisel
• Brother comes to visit!

February

• Winter Blues continue to kick in hard. Not as bad as other years, but definitely struggled a bit.
• Started working out a lot (2-4 times a week, every week)
• More television - How to Get Away with Murder, Grey's Anatomy, & Married at First Sight
• Spend Valentine's Day with my boyfriend at the time. Probably one of the fanciest dinners I've ever been to & comedy show the next day! (2 day event!)
• Went to my first Hockey game & loved it!
• Met that same boyfriend's family for the first time, and while I was super nervous, I made a great first impression.
• Took my first Pole Dancing class, and it was nothing that I envisioned. Super difficult, my arms hurt for days.

March

• Went to Sojo spa for the first time - this is also the first time that I got a professional massage. I went with my mom and it was amazing. So much delicious food, and we spent the whole day there!
• More TV - the exes, the Sinner, Ted Bundy Tapes, Sex Education, Dear White People, & Game of Thrones.
• Brother comes to visit. - he brought his new dog Maddie with him. She was super hyper yet loving dog.
• Started secretly working on our clothing brand, Lost in Aster.
• My Cousins (Michael & Leo) from Costa Rica come and visit - spent a lot of time with them.
• Saw Barbara from Shark Tank at a conference!
• Kept up with the Gym - went at least 2-3 times a week.

April

• Another successful month at the gym - 2-3 times a week.
• Winter Blues are finally passing. Feeling like myself again.
• More TV - Unreal, Lucifer, Gossip Girl (for the third time)
• Got things ready for Lost in Aster - Look into Merchandise, Clothing Tags, Hanging Tags, & worked on the website.
• Went to a Winery - got wayyy too drunk.
• Went Ax Throwing for the First time - I totally sucked.
• 70's Themed Yelp Event with my best friend Christina!
• Broke it off with my Ex - It was something I had thought about it for months. I thought it was going to get better. I was waiting, because he had so much potential, and yet deep down in my gut, I knew it wasn't going to work long term.

May

• My dog got sprayed by a skunk - she smelled bad for almost a month. Even after all the tomato & regular baths.
• One of the worst nights of my life. I try not to think about it too much, so I won't really talk about it.
• Went Ax Throwing for employee work event! - I did much better this time around. Got my first Bulls-eye.
• First Lost in Aster Photo shoot!
• Cruise 2019 - Started of in Tampa, then went to Key West & Cuba. Had an amazing time with amazing people. I couldn't have gone with a better group of people. Beyond grateful for this trip overall.
• Tampa Zoo - first time there and had a good time!
• Busch Gardens Tampa - Have gone to the one in Williamsburg, and while this one had a replica of my favorite ride, the one in Virgina is wayy better.

June

• Turned 25. For the first time in years, I'm actually in town for my actual birthday. I went to the club with some of the most important people in my life.
• Watched more TV - Handmaid's Tales, Love Island
• My best friend Melissa comes to visit me for the first time! - Had the time of my life showing her around where I lived. I can't wait til we see each other again.
• Rose Mansion - One of the many things I did while Melissa was in town.
• Saw Ariana Grande - I absolutely love her and her concert was phenomenal!
• Lost in Aster Launch Party!

July

• Lost in Aster officially launches our website!
• More Television - Are You the One? & Ink Master
• First Business Trip - Went to Connecticut for training out the software we use
• Poconos with Liana's Birthday - This was one of those underrated yet amazing trips this year. It made me realize how much I cared about Liana & Patty! It also allowed me to become friends with Nii & Jenn!

August

• Jury Duty got Canceled -I felt so lucky!
• Jon Bellion Concert - My sister made me a huge fan of his music, and we found his tickets for $25! We had an amazing time, and I would definitely go and see him again.
• Atlantic City - This is the third year that I've gone to Atlantic City, and it's become a mini tradition to go for a night a year! We had an amazing time at the day party, and Brody Jenner was actually there at night with the DJ!
• Some Television - Bachelor in Paradise

September

• Poconos trip - after the poconos trip for Liana's Birthday, I decided to plan my own trip. Trips in the woods are an amazing way to reset and relax. It was another great time.

October

• Fright Fest - Me & my friend Shayla have spend the last two years going to Fright Fest together. This is a good way to make sure that we see each other at least once. No matter what. I hope that even though she's living in California, we can find a way to keep this tradition up.
• Apple Picking - another tradition
• Penhurst Asylum - The scariest haunted houses I have ever been to. I had an amazing time!
• Blogger Meetup - the first one I've ever been to, and it was so nice meeting some local bloggers!
• Sojo Spa - Second time and just as amazing as the first time. We went to celebrate Jill's birthday!
• Julia's Halloween Party - Jamie's sister's house party. I had a great time, and there was some nice eye candy there.
• Spent Halloween at Mister East - a club near me. While I loved the company I was with. I wasn't a fan of the music that night. Wayy too much electronic music, which to me is...bleh.
• Some TV - Terrace House, Temptation Island, The Good Doctor, 90 Day Fiance

November

• Threw my own Halloween Party! - a success if I do say so myself.
• Michelle Obama book club - I am obsessed with the Obamas. I love their family so much, and it was such a nice way to spend my mom's birthday.
• Salem, MA - this was my first time in Massachusetts. We were supposed to do Boston and Salem, and in the end stayed in Salem for both nights! It was such a wonderful city, especially if you're into witches and witch history in the United States.
• Friendsgiving - the first one I've ever been to, and I felt extremely blessed.
• Started talking to the guy I'm currently talking to.
• My grandma visits us spontaneously - she was able to spend Thanksgiving & our 30th Work Anniversary Party.
• 30th Work Anniversary Party - all i gotta say was that the party was a huge success, and I was definitely feeling myself that night. Erika was the perfect date as always.

December

• Brunch with Jill - went to Laduree in Soho. We then went to one of those Instagram spots called Tomatoland
• Some TV - Dexter, YOU
• First Date - definitely had the jitters, but I think it went well.
• My aunt surprise visits us - we had a blast. Went to the Island Spa together. Went to NYC for drinks [and came back at 4am], Sushi, more drinks, etc
• Threw a New Years Party - another success in my book.

Looking back at 2019, I think that while I had more than one bad thing happen to me, I still would say that this year was a huge success. I learned so much about myself. I made some steps towards becoming my best self and the future I want. I would go as far to say that 2019 was the best year I've ever had.

While 2019 was good, I think that 2020 is going to be much better! We're only 5 days in, and I am already starting my year better than last year.

How did your year go? How would you rate last year overall? Let me know in the comments down below!

-Melina xxx