What a year!!! I don’t think 2016 can ever top it! I feel like every year I say the same thing, but every year it keeps getting better and better. This year took me a lot of places. From Miami to Memphis. I can’t even begin to recap this year without being thankful for my husband and my family.
From being in the same room with amazing celebrities like Nicole Kidman, Mickey Mouse, Bill Hader, and Scott Wiegner to delicious food from places I never imagined I would visit. There was no shortage of experiences. Blogging events that I never thought I would get invited to and be able to attend and enjoy with my family (special thanks to The Moms & Momtrends for said events). If I have to pick a highlight of the blogging events: definitely being in the same room as US Ambassador Samantha Power was pretty spectacular and Taye Diggs brought me to tears during his reading of Mixed Me.
I also attended my first real blog conference, Hispanicize in Miami (which was my first trip all by myself). There I met incredibly talented bloggers that come from my same place. It flourished my need to dig deeper into my culture and embrace my language. I also got to have lunch with Mickey Mouse!!! Hello! Can you say highlight!? Also met incredible people who have really enriched my life in a special way!
My family also experienced so many adventures this year. We went to the races for the first time, checked out Sesame Place, road tripped A LOT!!! I think we put more miles in the car this year than the previous 2! From south Jersey to Central Virginia there wasn’t a corner we didn’t explore. Countless movies and crazy amounts of trips into Manhattan. We also experienced a first and last! First trip to F.A.O. Schwarz but also the last time we visited. This year we also experienced our first car accident as well as our first time not taking a vacation. But seriously we were so busy. Can’t really complain. Some of the places visited: Sesame Place, iPlay America, Sahara Sam’s, Diggerland USA, Liberty Science Center, all the Zoos in NYC, Washington D.C, Winchester V.A, Old Town Alexandria, National Harbor… I could keep going… we even went to Philly!
My oldest one turned 5 and with that came the beginning of kindergarten and full day school. AND ANOTHER YEAR CANCER FREE!!! I have to say I haven’t felt this fulfilled in such a long time. And of course it brought the METS to the World Series and Star Wars Episode VII!!!! I have no idea how 2016 will top that except with the METS winning the pennant!
Lastly but certainly not least was my trip to Memphis. I’m still pinching myself to see if it really happened. Visiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital was without a doubt the highlight of my year. The time spent there was beyond special. I learned so much about the history of the hospital, Dave Thomas, cancer treatment, Memphis, the Civil Rights Movement and about the families at St. Jude. That trip changed me and I can’t begin to explain how, except that it was personal. Seeing how my son went through his treatment and seeing how St. Jude children go through their treatments is so inspiring and nothing short of spectacular.
So there you have it! I really look forward to 2016. So far in the calendar is my first trip to the West Coast and first visit to Disneyland, so I CAN’T WAIT!
My only resolution is to enjoy every moment and NOT just behind the camera. But LIVE in the moment. Bring it 2016… We’re ready! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
