2021 Recap.

It's been over a month since I've posted. I was going back and forth for a while, deciding whether I should post like normal. But it's a new year, and I've wanted to do a lil' chitchat talking about 2021. The year had a lot of highs and lows, but it was overall much better than 2020.

Even now, two weeks into 2022, I feel like this year is starting off on a brighter note than 2021 one did. I felt tentatively hopeful in 2021, but this year just feels...different. In a good way of course.

Let's chat a bit about this past year.

January

• Started the new year at my house, in my pajamas with my sister and mom
• Really struggled with my mental health. Considered going back on Antidepressants.
• Needed an escape, and drove to South Carolina with my younger brother to visit my older brother and my sister-in-law.

February

• After coming back from South Carolina, I felt much better. Like I could breathe again.
• Kept up with my Youtube Channel
• Did lots of reading and video game playing
• Started Peaky Blinders
• My car broke down when I got back from South Carolina (luckily it wasn't serious)
• Got lots of snow

March

• My mental health started improving significantly (ended up not taking the antidepressants)
• My dog, Maya, got really sick out of no where
• D&D was one of the best things ever
• My best friend, Erika, moved closer to me! (I helped her move some of her stuff)
• Went on my first in person date since Covid Started (it was terrible. We didn't click at all, and never spoke to each other again)

April

• Maya passed away. I still miss her a lot, and think about her multiple times a week.
• Lots of girls nights.
• Spent a lot of time painting.

May

• Tulip Picking
• Got Vaccinated!
• Made lots of my own cold brew (yes, it was delicious)
• Reunited with my best friend, Jill! (she was in Texas for Air Force training since November)
• Lots of Shake Shack
• Spent a week in Cancun, and had the best time. Highly recommend. (Spent the week, cave swimming, kayaking, drinking & eating delicious things, and having an amazing time)

June

• My mood made a complete 180. All the sun in Mexico did me a whole lotta good.
• Turned 27! Celebrated with my friends at Lobby, a local club near me. I felt very loved.
• Jill surprised me for my birthday and took me to Philly for the weekend.
• Went back to try online dating again (it was a miserable fail. Cue lots of ghosting and terrible dates).
• Patty's Baby shower! It turned out beautiful, and I had an amazing time chatting with all my friends.
• Got close to my friend Amanda again, and it's been really nice to have her in my life since this moment.

July

• We adopted Luna, our new puppy!
• Started another D&D group with different people
• Erika surprised me for my birthday and took me to El Museo in NY!
• Emo Night with Jamie & Joe. Another good night
• One of the coworkers I'm extremely close with moves away
• Went to a weird spa for Liana's birthday. Even though it's not what we expected, we had a great time. Afterwards we went to a delicious Greek restaurant (still have to go back).
• Sojo spa with my coworkers.
• Out to Pier 13 for Jamila's birthday (and a dress that I couldn't fit in about 1-2 years ago, fits me now!)
• Went back to South Carolina with Nick. Another great trip down there, and a lot more adventuring since it was warm out. Queue the Notebook tour (and lots of wine).

August

• Dog sitting Gina for the first time in over a year
• Girl's night out in La Perle
• Burnt my mouth terrible while drunk and making Hash Browns (#worthit)
• Went to Candytopia with Amanda in Philly (we were actually on the hunt for Andrew from the Bachelorette. He ended up being in NYC the day we went to Philly.)
• Made my way back to Pier 13!

September

• There was a huge storm and my car got completely flooded (So did 3 other cars in my house).
• Baby Olivia, Patty's baby was born.
• Reunited with my friend Chanee
• Spent a weekend in the Poconoes. Went hiking, and it was super relaxing.
• Reunited with Jamie (first time since she got Engaged!)
• My brother Nicholas finally got his license!
• Me & Erika went out clubbing two nights in a row, and had a great time (and we looked amazing. Thank god the people we were talking to at the time flaked on us.)
• I met Baby Olivia myself.
• Water Lantern Festival with friends.
• NYC with Jill, went the the Garrison and the drinks were super delicious.
• First date things with O
• Dad and brother were hit by a truck trailer. They're okay, thank god, but the car was completely wrecked.

October

• Went to 2 haunted houses! Both times with Amanda.
• Brunch with Erika (this is when we spontaneously booked our trip to Miami)
• Apple Picking
• My Grandma came to visit from Dominican Republic
• Oktoberfest with Amanda (and we spontaneously ended up at Emo Night afterwards somehow?)
• Threw an Alice and Wonderland themed Halloween Party
• Second date things with O
• Also ended it with O this same month

November

• Top Golf for Patty's Birthday
• Friends Poconoes Trip
• Thanksgiving at my Aunt's House (played a lot of Mario Party)
• Girls night with Jill, where we got Mexican and drinks
• Friendsgiving at Patty's House
• Caught up with Christina!
• Started dating Piano J

December

• Got my new car, a Telsa Model 3 Long Range
• Started with my new therapist, Victoria
• Took a long weekend trip to Miami, and it was everything I could ever want/need and more. (lots of beach, family, delicious food, and drinking. Lots and lots of drinking. But zero hangovers.)
• Came back with a terrible cold (paranoid the whole time that it was Covid, but it wasn't)
• Ended it with Piano J (something was just off!)
• Drove Alina down to Virginia
• Paint & Sip with Patty in celebration of her birthday
• Litmas with Amanda & David (where I met the person I'm currently dating, J!)
• First Snow
• Actually got covid
• My brother and sister-in-law came to visit, but I was in quarantine most of the time!
• Was covid-negative in time for New Years Eve!

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There are so many more things I can add that happened this year, but I think this is a good showing of my highs and lows. I have to say, overall, this year had a lot of really low lows, but I still am grateful for all the good that came out of 2021. Well that was my 2021 recap! How was your past year? It feels good to be back, and it felt appropriate to start with a post like this one. Sending you all love, strength, and positivity xx