2014

Found this baby in the depths of my blog from 2010...thought I'd give it a try instead of trying to sum up my year. Here's to a new year with new opportunities. 

1. What did you do in 2014 that you'd never done before? Tried paddle boarding. 

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don't make New Year's resolutions...

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Yes...a lovely new addition to the Bhatt family...again

4. Did anyone close to you die? No

5. What countries did you visit? I stayed in the US, but visited Tennessee and California. 

6. What would you like to have in 2015 that you lacked in 2014? Friends and a real job. 

7. What dates from 2014 will remain etched upon your memory? April 18th, when I left my first big girl job for new adventures.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Becoming a head coach. 

9. What was your biggest failure? Poor choice of friends. 

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? 
No.

11. What was the best thing you bought? 
My puppy.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? I don't like this question. 

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? My friends that were a poor choice. 

14. Where did most of your money go? Student loans followed by my puppy. 

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? 
My puppy. 

16. What song/album will always remind you of 2014? Sam Smith "In The Lonely Hour", Nico & Vinz "Am I Wrong" 

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:


i) Happier or Sadder? Sadder
ii) Older or Wiser? Both
iii) Thinner or Fatter? Same
iv) Richer or Poorer? Poorer...definitely poorer

18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Meet people and laugh.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Trust people too soon. 

20. How will you be spending Christmas of 2015? Mexico?

22. Did you fall in love in 2014? No

23. How did you start 2014? Downtown Denver watching fireworks. 

24. What was your favorite TV program? Friends, Happy Endings, Luther, Sherlock, Parks and Rec...this list will get too long...

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? 
Yes.

26. What was the best book you read? "It's a Wonderful Lie" or "How To Be A Woman"

27. What was your greatest musical discovery? Sam Smith 
 

28. What did you want and get? A chance to leave my cubicle. 

29. What did you want and not get? Peace. 

30. What was your favorite film of this year? "The Grand Budapest Hotel" or "The Fault In Our Stars" or "Inside Llewyn Davis" or "Guardians of the Galaxy"...similar to TV shows...

31. What did you do on your birthday? 
Went to work, then got pizza and beer while watching "When Harry Met Sally" in my half packed apartment.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? A steady job I liked. 

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2014? Jeans and a t-shirt or sweats.

34. What kept you sane? 
My family and being outside all summer. 

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you like the most? Jimmy Fallon?

36. What political issue stirred you the most? Serial. 

37. Who did you miss? My best friend. 

38. Who was the best new person you met? Diana, a fellow coach. 

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2014. Not to trust people too soon. That sometimes taking risks can be worth it. That how you recover from breaking will determine what kind of person you will be. 

40. Quote a movie that sums up your year.
"If this is love, then I don't want it. Take it from me. Why does it hurt so much?"
"Because it was real."
-The Hobbit 

Penny! (WARNING: excessive number of puppy pictures to follow)

I got a pup last month and it's been pretty great. We placed a hold on her the day after she was left at the pound and had to wait 6 days until she was available to us (which sucked, but I'd appreciate them holding my lost pup if need be). They told us she had been left at a gas station and after our visit, I couldn't believe how someone could just drop off a little face like hers. 

She was pretty freaked and didn't seem too thrilled to see us, but in doggy jail I'm sure everything was overwhelming. Who knew what she had come from? Anyways... I had a week to get ready to bring her home. They told us she would need to be fixed the morning we got to pick her up so after researching online bringing home a rescue pup and any pup after being fixed, I was expecting the worst. 

So far, it's been pretty great. We picked her up SUPER drugged Saturday evening and she was pretty subdued for the next day or so. 

 

Once she started waking up and feeling better, it was evident she had a lot more energy than the old dogs we've been used to more recently. But she went to the vet and everything checked out. They believe she's about 4-5 years old and a Yorkie/Silky Terrior mix. 

She hadn't been bathed before her surgery, but after surgery she couldn't have a bath for 10 days, so we found some dry shampoo stuff and gave her a bit of a rag bath. It ended up being a bit harder than anticipated keeping her less active while she recovered. And she took no time at all to settle in. 

 She LOVES going outside and doing her own thing, but being used to us taking her out on a leash, she's having a hard time adjusting to being put on her leash and just being watched from the door. 

For Halloween, we got her an awesome little monkey costume, but she didn't think it was so awesome. On the plus side, putting it on her, especially the hood, helped her stop barking at all the trick-or-treaters. Our super nice neighbors also brought her a little wonder woman costume. Although it didn't fit, I pinned it to her collar so she could sport it for part of the day. 

She loves her toys, especially her ball, which is actually pretty fun. Our other pup never played fetch so it's kind of exciting to have a little playful pup. It's also remarkable that she hasn't chewed on any shoes, etc., but she does excellent only chewing on her toys. We've actually hit round 2 of toys bought because I didn't know she'd love them so much....someone is going to love her stocking this Christmas. 

She also survived her first bath, and a week later first grooming experience. We all enjoying cuddling more now, and man, does she cuddle. She hates when the alarm goes off and jumps from her bed to mine trying to make sure I don't move.

She's pretty protective of her turf and loves being in the office, ya know, making sure everything stays cool. 

Basically, I think she's awesome and I love my living teddy bear already. 

I'm sure she'd love to meet all of you!...although she'll probably excessively bark upon your arrival. Here are a couple videos- a regular play time with my dad and her first puppy play date (complete with no leash).

Ed Sheeran

If you haven't seen this, then you're welcome. 

sunshiiiiiine

This year has definitely not been one for the books. But amid all the changes and stresses, I have had some good times. For example, I headed out to California for a few days with my sister and bro-in-law. They were very hospitable and I had a great time! Although it's LA, they are still close to the ocean and I am all about that. 

My first day there they picked me up from the airport and we headed straight to the water for the day. It started with a paddle boarding extravaganza. I have wanted to try this for a while, but Colorado isn't really helpful for trying open water activities.

I'm proud to say that none of us fell in by accident. It was very fun. And we even got to see some seals!

We then headed to the actual beach to play in the water (nap on the beach) and have a nice little bonfire. 

It was lovely. On day 2, Kaylah had to go to work, but Ryan took the day off and took me to the beach again. It was pretty rad. We camped out by the 'Beaches' house and hid in the shade of the umbrella after the slight sunburn we both got on day 1. 

He also brought along the snorkling gear so we took a shot at it. I was very nervous, but relieved after he said the chances of seeing anything at this beach was low.

It was super fun...until a wave crashed with me on top of it and took my mask and snorkle with it. That was the end of snorkling that day.

On Day 3, Kaylah took me hiking...in the desert. Very different from the chilly hikes I'm used to in my mountains. But we took a very happy puppy with us. 

After hiking, Kaylah had to go to work, so Ryan and I got some beer and bonded with Glados. 

On my last day there, I got to go to school with Kaylah and play pirates with her littles. They were pretty cute. We then headed further south for dinner with the fam. Also pretty great.

My heart may belong to Colorado, but I do love the beach and some good time with my sister and brother-in-law. They have a very cute little house and really make the most out of living in LA. It was a good trip and definitley a nice break from my reality.