2008: Year in Review

So it is officially 2009! I felt it was appropriate to recap my 2008, as this past year has been absolutely amazing!

Let's see, where should I begin! Well last February I left my job in property management/real estate the field I had worked for almost 3 years and took as job in corporate events. It is definitely different as I went from stressing out about people not paying rent and flooding apartments to stressing over whether or not the cake was going to arrive on time and were the tables cloths all the same color red? It has been very interesting and fun and has been challenging on a whole new level. The best part is that now I won't need a wedding planner because I pretty much know (almost!) everything I need to know to put on a good party.

Then in July of this past year K and I got the opportunity (thanks to my future sister-in-law's parents!) to go to Italy! This was my first trip to Europe and it was absolutely incredible. We stayed in a villa in a small town north of Florence. Florence was amazing the history and architecture are beautiful, I think it is one of the most beautiful cities on Earth. I would go back in a heartbeat! We also saw the David in person, I cannot even explain how magnificent this work of art is in person, see it if you get the chance. We also spent two days in Cinque Terre, which means the 5 lands and are 5 towns along the coast. These were beautiful also, of course everything in Italy is!! The pastel houses and buildings build right into the rugged rocks were gorgeous. Plus the water was amazing and refreshing since it was a sweltering 98 degrees the whole time we were there! I would love to go back to Europe there is so much more I want to see- maybe a good honeymoon?

The Duomo in Florence

Cinque Terre

Then K and I made one of the biggest decisions of our lives- we bought a house! Basically we were living right outside of DC in Bethesda, MD. Love, love, love this area and would love to move back to Montgomery county! The only problem EVERYTHING was out of our price range. Basically we had been thinking about buying vs renting just because it's a better investment of our money and K being a finance/accounting guy we only spend money when "it's a good investment." Well we couldn't find anything decent under half a million dollars and well that is just a little out of price range and I wasn't about to live in a one bedroom condo either. So we compromised and moved back to Anne Arundel county close to Annapolis (where I'm from) but still close to DC for K's job. We bought the most adorable townhouse that needed a lot of TLC but we got that taken care of and having been living here for 3 months. We love having our own house and our own space to do what we want with it.

Our House

Then last but certainly not least K and I got engaged!!! If you know me then you know I've been waiting for this diamond for a long time and I will say it was totally worth the wait! K and I dated for a long 5.5 yrs and people were starting to go crazy (myself included) wondering if we were ever going to make it "official" Well now we are and I cannot wait to start planning our wedding for 2009 but most importantly because I can't wait to start the next stage of our lives together.

Goodbye 2008, Hello 2009!!
I have to say I really can't complain as my past year has been truly amazing!! I really have so much to be thankful for! I cannot wait to see what the new year has in store for us!

Happy New Year Everyone!!