Highlights of 2018

As the end of the year is just mere days away… like as in 2. Today and Tomorrow. I can’t help but think about where I’m headed… where this next year is going to bring me and Hazel Nut. While 2018 was not the worst year… it definitely wasn’t the best. Part of me knows that 2019 will be what I make it… but if the end of 2018 is any indication… well it’s gong to struggle before it can improve.

Here’s some highlights of moments in 2018 that I won’t ever, or hope to never forget. The good. The bad. The UGLY. THE MEMORIES. . .

January 2018:

Hazel’s BIRTHDAY! Her first solo birthday! My sweet girl is about to turn EIGHT. Madi and I got together with Tallon and Hazel for a birthday celebration in Huntington Beach. It was fun and bittersweet. Sophie didn’t make it to 8. Java didn’t make it to 9. But alas. This memory is Hazel’s. She’s just days away from another year older!

February 2018:

I flew to San Antonio for a conference. I’d never been there before so I made the most of the time there getting out and exploring… while trying to spend little to no funds. The San Antonio Riverwalk was interesting. The food along the river was dreadful. Although I am very picky about my Mexican food… so I can’t necessarily fault the restaurants… We just have a very different opinion of good Mexican food.

The Alamo was beautiful but I don’t know about the average visitor… but I kinda… expected more? It’s a GREAT piece of history, don’t get me wrong. But I just expected it to be different I guess. Great stop regardless!

March 2018:

Wine Country Escapades & Northern California adventures.

Hazel Nut & Firefly spent 2 weeks with grandma while I was studying in Northern California. But we made sure to take our time getting up to Mom’s and I took advantage of every pitstop/winery stop I could.

We even made a girls trip to the wineries about of it. My mom and her friend from town joined me on my winery indulgence. The rain had stopped, making way for the most beautiful California weather. This is my happy place. This is where my soul is quiet and my mind can rest. I mean loooooook at these places. I don’t remember which vineyard this is… But the view it just amazing.

This last one is of Claiborne & Churchill. It’s cute winery. I can’t say I remembered whether or not I enjoyed their wines. But the scenery and atmosphere were definitely worth the visit.

April 2018:

April is a fun month for me. Madi and I have made it a tradition (one I’m making sure we keep this year too!) to attend the Coastal Country Jam. April isn’t the warmest beach weather month, but the break of listening to our favorites, Jell-O shots and smuggling in moonshine is worth the trip back back.

I’m hoping this year is just as good, if not better than last year. It’s year it’s TIM McGRAW! With loads of others that are amongst my favorites to see. Can’t wait to visit and spend some time with my toes in the sand, a drink in my hand, and country music flowing from the speakers!

May 2018:

May brought the last of my interviews. While I may not have found what I was looking for in a practice.. I think my trip to Phoenix reminded me that I need to trust my gut.

I used to look out over this hillside and talk to God and Sophie as we walked. I missed her more than ever during these emotional walks. This month I realized that my time in the last place with her was coming to an end. Hazel Nut, Fi and I were onto a new adventure… leaving Sophie behind. This thought was hard for me to make peace with. But I couldn’t stay there forever right?

As I said my Phoenix trip helped me realize that no hospital was going to have it all for me. But that it was more important for me to enjoy where I was than just the job I was doing. The heat of the desert, and the “team spirit” of certain individuals swayed my decision to pack things up and come to New England.

I miss the sunshine, warmth, and WINE the most of everything on the west coast.

June 2018: ITALIA!!!!

June is my birth month. It was also the LAST FULL month of my residency. June was also the month that I took my first trip to Europe! JP & I ventured off to ITALIA! WOOT!

Italia’s adventure was one I wont ever forget. But I’m grateful my pictures made it safely to my iCloud because I bought a new phone right after this trip! Lol

Pisa was interesting, but the tower was smaller than I thought. And obtaining those sought after photos were more difficult than I thought. Here’s the closest I got to it being what you’re supposed to do when you’re visiting the tower. The Colosseum was impressive. Our ruins tour was one of my favorites. Minus the unbearable heat that was present on that day. But the ruins of the city of Rome were so amazing to see.

I think my favorites were the fountains though. The Vatican was great… but again not what I was expecting. The Trevi Fountain was beautiful!

JULY 2018:

July brought the end of my Residency! HOLY. MOLY. Thank the Lord Baby Jesus the day finally came. I was worried for a long while that I wouldn’t be able to make it through this time.

I got to celebrate the end of my residency and California way of life with my group of OC friends. Madi and I even made it out to SUP with the pups one last time!

Aren’t they just sooooo cute together!! LOVE IT!

July also brought the start of our road trip across the US of A to bring us to New England.

Look at that Happy Girl’s Face. SHE IS SO AMAZING. I love Hazel Nut so much.

August 2018:

August brought our new home, new job, and new way of life. We went from small apartment, to hotel, to RV, back to hotels, to a HUGE HOUSE! The Lake House became a reality this month. While I have enjoyed my time on this pond, I had a moment of HOLY F. WHAT DID I DO.

But this girl and her dog are working through the next series of adventures. 2019 is planned for more great adventures than 2018 gave way to!

September 2018:

September I took a break from NE life and headed south. I met my OC friends in NOLA for a week of learning and back breaking heat. We wandered all over NOLA enjoying so much time together and relief of the work grind.

Here’s us on Bourbon Street hitting the bars for some great fun!

October 2018:

The HUNT FOR OCTOBER! The best part about New England is the ability to watch Yankee games! I saw one with the girls in Fenway, and a series game in the Bronx.

They lost both games that I attended. But it’s not just about the score, but also about the experience. I loved going to the games. Even if the second one the evening was a nightmare!!

Here’s to more memories with my team. And here’s to hopefully more time in the stadiums I enjoy the most.

November 2018:

November brought fall, fall weather, Dad’s visit and Thanksgiving festivities.

This fall we picked up Pumpkins from a local farm. I missed the pumpkin patch feel, but these beauties were still great. As the weather started to change we got a break from the bugs of the humid end of summer. THANK GOD. Because I was definitely OVER the mosquitoes. Dad’s visit for veterans. Day was great actually. We got out and did so much that I was actually enjoying myself in this place. And I can officially say I walked (part) of the Appalachian Trail … Meaning I walked the first 20 feet from our trailhead. Because it was FREEZING and I was NOT wearing a hiking outfit.

Thanksgiving brought the endless cooking, baking, and the annual Turkey Trot. While we have done a different one each year it seems… And while I was the only repeater to do it, I made sure to get in my steps. Mom and Mark joined the festivities, but Dad and Brian flaked. Lazy boys.

December 2018:

December brings Christmas cheer, and the end of the year. This year I’m rather reflective. I need to sort out my life. Get back onto the path I’m meant to take. Here’s hoping that the new year brings light, love, and adventure to us all.

Love,

Nattie, Hazel Nut & Fi