I'm Back!

Wow, has it really been three months since I wrote my last blog post? Life has been fantastic over the last few months and I have much to share. Charlottesville is glistening with icicles this afternoon due to low temperatures and rain in the forecast. We have had a very mild winter so far (I have been outside in shorts at least once in January) and I'm hoping we can make it to spring without a major snowfall. The longer I live in this beautiful community, the more it feels like home thanks to a great job at U.Va., amazing friends and easy access to local food, wine and beer!

Here is a short recap of 10 things that have made me happy in the last three months:

*Chris and Leah moving back to Charlottesville (I met this beautiful couple when they were students at Darden before they moved to Philadelphia to begin their post-MBA careers. Luckily for me, they missed Cville so much that they returned after a year. Blake and I have spent many hours with them as Chris tutors Blake for the GMAT while Leah and I practice Ashtanga Yoga and run together. It has been so wonderful to have them back!)


*Attending the NCAA College Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Kansas City and meeting College and NBA great, Ralph Sampson.

*Tailgating for Football (Thanks to my awesome new job, we have a fantastic tailgate spot!)

*Spending hours at Pike's Place Market (again, thanks to my new job and the Men's Basketball Team being in Seattle.)

*Breaking into Cameron Indoor at Duke University (okay we didn't break in and the security guards let us explore but this was a dream come true for me!)

*Cheering on the 'Hoos Basketball Team (As of this post, they are #15 in the country with a record of 14-2. The pack defense is working again...just like it did at WSU and Wisconsin.)

*Ringing in 2012 at the Chick-fil-A Bowl (Yes, it was a lot of work to plan and execute events for Wahoo Nation and yes, I had the most fantastic time! Thanks to all of my colleagues and friends who help me celebrate my 26th birthday.)

*Celebrating life's precious moments (When I was home in Idaho for Christmas, I held baby Oakley...the daughter of Jennell, one of my best friends...when she was a day old and witnessed my brother's legal wedding...now I can't wait to wear my bridesmaids dress and party at the reception in June.)

*Realizing that true friendship and family never change (When I moved to Virginia, I wondered what would happen to my relationships with my family and friends. This holiday season solidified that these bonds hold true no matter how many miles there are between us! Thank you to all of my closest friends and family for loving me and giving me the best Christmas yet.)