Happy New Year!!!
Please god let 2016 be a little more sane.
In true fashion, I spent this year in a #strangebutgood whirlwind.  I eloped in January, sold my condo in February, moved across the country in March, became certified as a trainer in April, honeymooned to Greece in May, helped my mom sell my childhood home in September, made my first money as an independent marketing consultant in December… and squeezed a lot of trips to Vegas with Vegas in between it all.
I thought I was someone who sailed through change, but it’s no walk in the park.  It may look like life is a party; however, the reality is that I have felt a lot of loss… I miss my hometown, my family, and my friends.  I’m still trying to get used to being jolted awake by a screaming bird, a parrot banging on a cow bell, and a dog incessantly whining.  Needless to say, I learned to cry.  A lot.  I feel like I am literally losing my mind sometimes.  I’m adjusting to living in a new city where I don’t yet have a tight group of friends.  Vegas has become my best friend as well as my wife this year.  (You should all feel sorry for her.)
But life is a beautiful, wild ride.  This year I learned what being in love is.  I learned what it is to know that you would sacrifice everything for someone else.  I was reminded what a strong and beautiful person my mother is.  I laughed a lot, explored places I’d never seen, and solidified friendships that will last a lifetime.  I turned 32, I went car-less, and I learned that memories and experiences are far more special than things will ever be.
I don’t know what adventures 2016 will hold, but I do know that I’m looking towards it head on.  And into this year I’ll take everything I learned in 2015, with the confidence that I will not actually lose my mind.  I think.
With that dramatic intro, here’s my…
2015 Top 10 Blog Posts:
10. Cinnamon Roll Protein Mugcake
9. Super Shoulder Workout
8. Asian Lentil Salad & Salmon
7. SoCal ToughMudder Recap
6. Personal Training and Pizza
5. 20 Breakfast Recipes for the Holidays
4. The Anti-Inflammatory Diet Recap
3. 10 Back to School Recipes
2. The One Where I Married Vegas
1. Banana Walnut Protein Pancakes
[Tweet “2015: A #strangebugood year in review. #fitfluential”]
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I have to say goodbye to Lucie Sunday. Â Sad day!
How do you handle change?
What are you looking forward to in 2016?
I could cry about everything that changed me in 2015 but I’ve decided to take it as an opportunity to grow. You’ve gained so much love and happiness this year & I am sure 2016 will be even better for you!
You are a rock. Seriously… I really admire your ability to keep a positive attitude after your year. Here’s to a better 2016!
Your life, your love, your food–it is all strange but very, very good. And that is a beautiful thing. Never settle for ordinary–you just weren’t meant for the cookie cutter life! And that is exactly what makes you so outstanding 😀 Happy New Year, Laura (and Vegas!)
Haha – we’re both snowflakes. 🙂
I don’t handle change particularly well either, but it seems like you handled all of the crazy changes in your life with grace. I usually handle it with wine 😉
Happy New Year, Laura!
Amen to that! Cheers!
I have enjoyed following your wild ride of a life in 2016. Happy New Year and all the best for the coming year.
Thanks Debbie! Wild ride is right… lol!
I’ve loved connecting with you this year you always bring a smile to my face. Happy New year and happy 2016
Thank you so much Deborah! Same to you. So glad we “met.” 🙂
What a wonderful 2015 for you! I’m totally going to have to go and check out all these old posts – especiallt the recipes! Here’s to wishing you a healthy, fun and just a bit strange 2016 😉
I am so happy to see all the amazing changes in your life and to have been able to follow how healthily you made them! I am so excited to see what 2016 holds 🙂
Happy New Year, Laura! I hope you have a wonderful 2016!!!!
And so another #strengthbutgood year!!! I’m taking 2016 as it comes, I learned there is no planning and you never know what each new day is going to throw at you, good or bad!
It seems like it was a big year of change for a lot of us and even though it may not seem like it now, you handled it beautifully. Every change shapes us, good and not-so-good. Here’s to an even better 2016!
Thank you so much Becki. I definitely learned a lot. Cheers to 2016!
I hear ya Babe.
Never forget that you found the Love of your Life – Vegas – and a best friend in Switzerland – me. I will do my best to be near you as much as possible and we can whine and dirnk and giggle and gossip and cry alltogether all the time.
Love you!
Love you right back! I already can’t wait to see you again. Thank you for hanging with us for the holidays. xoxox
It looks like a year full of laughter, smiles, tears and memories – in the best way. 2015 was also a huge year of change for me, but it only makes me more excited for what 2016 has in store, with lots of things stemming from those changes to come!
You’ll appreciate this….(or it will make you shudder). I’m trying to read your blog while happily enjoying my lunch when a cat jumps in my lap. I just eat my salad over him and let the crumbs fall in his fur. Karma.
Change is tough and you’ve done a shitton of it. If it helps to know, you’ll always have me. We need to reunite in 2016.
No animals at the table! 😉
You are such an inspiration, Laura! I’ve loved following your journey this past year. Change is never easy, but I find that when I ease into it and stop resisting, it can be lots of fun!
Parita… thank you! That means a lot coming from you. You always seem so balanced and calm.
Loved reading this. Best wishes! Enjoy the West coast. I found out by visiting this past November, that I was totally born on the wrong coast. That must explain why I’ve always felt like a black sheep on this east coast. LOL
Come on out for a visit sometime!!! I always felt the same way whenever I traveled west. I do miss ATL too though.
Very little seems to change for me but I will take it as it comes and do my best. This year, I want to take better care of myself. Live a little more, laugh a little more, be myself. I want 2016 to be better than the last.
Taking care of yourself is a great goal. I need to work on that one too.
2016 or bust!!! okay not bust. But it will be great! and i kinda love all these posts. But the wedding… that takes the “cake”
Ha. Haha. Hahahaha. I see what you did there. 😉
I’m right with you on the learning to cry a lot part of 2015. Thankfully, things are seriously looking up for 2016, so I’m hoping it will be a much less dramatic year for me, too!
Haaaad to stop by and wish you and your amazing amazing partner happy happy anniversary.
<3
It looks like you had an awesome year! :] I used to be pretty allergic to change, but med school definitely forced me to learn to roll with the punches! 😛