2013: Year in Review
By Christine Petralia
Created by Kern Darrabie
Westin Resort in the Cayman Islands
Us at DisneyLand
December 31, 2013
Another year older, another year wiser and another year for the history books. There was nothing really too spectacular about 2013. Some bad things happened in the way of work stuff. A lot of good things happened in the way of life. But so it goes right? What’s funny is. It looks like I actually stuck to my 2013 resolutions this year. However, after I write these pieces, I usually don’t re-read them until the next December. So, I think it’s pretty cool that I did a lot on my resolution list, or rather, remembered everything!
As in year’s past and without further ado, I give you last year’s resolutions, this year’s highlights AND next year’s resolutions. In that order.
2013 Resolutions:
- Keep working out (at least 3-4 times a week). DONE AND DONE (At one point I was a member at two gyms)
- Travel more. OH HELL YEA!
- See Jimmy Fallon’s show or meet him again (or work for him). SAW THE SHOW.
- Learn to let things go. EH. THIS HAS TO GO ON 2014.
- Keep an open mind. SURE.
- Eat healthier. YES! (The Domino’s guy doesn’t know us anymore!)
- Go to more beerfests! WENT TO ONE – SO SURE, DONE.
- Get more massages! DONE, BUT THEN QUIT THEM.
- Take a creative writing class (or a cooking class or both!) DONE.
This year’s highlights:
-Started working with my new friend Elisa DiStefano at work for some awesome events and red carpets. It opened up a whole new venture at work, which I love.
-Went to see Jimmy Fallon’s show, even though I had to pee the entire time. No more drinking to kill time before it starts!!!
-Got to meet Martin Short – exciting, I know.
-Visited my brother in Salt Lake City. Who knew you couldn’t really get drunk there.
-Hiked a mountain in Salt Lake City – and didn’t injure or kill myself.
-Went to opening day at CitiField – they lost, but who cares?
-Had a girls-only trip to AC for the beerfest.
-Layoffs at work. Bleh.
-Visited my favorite family in VA.
-Went to see NKOTB with Debbie and had the time of our lives!
-Went to the Cayman Islands for my 32nd birthday. Not only was this trip amazing and relaxing, but it got Kern to an island!!!
-Finished up my laser hair removal after two years.
-Went to the Mixtape Festival in Hershey – VIP style.
-Went to see BSB at Jones Beach. Had a killer tailgate. Had an OK time at the show.
-Caught up with a lot of old friends a few times throughout the year.
-Finally went to Foxwoods in Conn. Who knew the cut you off at 1am, or rather, earlier? GRRRR
-Saw every movie known to man this year.
-Got Kern to go to DisneyLand!!!!!!! (this probably should have been number 1)
-Got my Aladdin Broadway tickets for next year.
-Shot some guns at a shooting range. I’m good for the zombie apocalypse.
-Saw our friends who got engaged last year get married.
-Baby Ward No. 2 was conceived.
-Saw Fall Out Boy at Barclays.
-My second cousin was born! Finally a girl to buy girly things for!
-Learned some PhotoShop.
-Forced myself to write more.
-Learned to be more assertive at work and in life.
-Finally got to see P!nk live and LOVED it.
-Started wearing heels – like real lady heels.
OK. So after writing it all out. It looks like the good outweighs the bad in 2013. Typically the odd years aren’t so great for me. But I think the Cayman Islands and Disney really made it a great year for me.
And here are my resolutions for 2014:
-Learn to let things go.
-Keep my friendships strong.
-See Jimmy’s new show!!!!!! (or work for him)!
-Work hard at fixing things and stop being passive-aggressive.
-See more movies!!!!
-Start writing my Penny blog again! I miss her!
-Try to find an inexpensive Zumba class. I miss it!
-Travel to Seattle (I’m coming Mike!)
-Finally plan and book that trip to Europe (or Iceland or Hawaii or New Zealand).
-Read more (I put this back on from 2012).
-Redesign my website.
-Lose weight – and keep it off.
-Get a new look (ie. Start wearing more dresses, more heels and doing my hair fancy on a daily basis). Basically, be a lady.
-Be a master at PhotoShop; learn to video edit.
-Take a class (writing, cooking, photography, something!!).
What were your highlights? What are your 2014 resolutions? Bring 2014! I'm ready.
The rumors are true, P!nk’s show is not only entertaining, it’s a high-flying stunt show! She proves she still has it during the last leg of her Truth About Love Tour. Seen Dec. 9, 2013 at the Barclays Center with The Hives.
Located right in the heart of Seven Mile Beach, the Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort and Spa is quite frankly a little bit of heaven in the Caribbean. Any room is literally feet from the white sand beach and bright blue sea.