In the Midnight Hour, She Cried More More More

Nine days into 2015 and I realize the last year was nothing less than… Well, I was going to mention the proverbial roller coaster with ups and downs, but it was much more like that slingshot ride that throttles you back and forth, while spinning you upside down and right side up, right after it launches you into oblivion. You know this ride. In fact, the mere sight of it has made you pee your pants a little.

A brief recap of the year looks something like this:

• I laughed until tears rolled down my cheeks.
• I cried until I couldn’t breathe.
• I invested in a nice camera.
• I learned how to use a nice camera.
• I drank to forget her (because of this, there is a winery in Virginia I can never return to).
• I went to Amsterdam on a whim, tried mushrooms for the first time and forgot how to speak English.
• I jumped around with strangers in a Rembrandt Square when the Netherlands scored the winning penalty kick against Costa Rica during the World Cup.
• I learned how to Wobble, and I Wobble damned well.
• I worked a 9 to 5 job, had an office with my name and title on the door, and learned it wasn’t for me.
• I started my own business with an amazing business partner and support group, and we’ve worked with everyone from a federal agency to a start-up media company to a women’s rights group in Kenya.
• I threw tomatoes at complete strangers in the streets of a small Spanish town and tasted authentic paella in Barcelona.
• I swam in the Mediterranean Sea with my best friend and sister.
• I climbed outdoors for the first time ever.
• I got sick from eating too many deep-fried Oreos at the Houston Rodeo.
• I fell out of love.
• I got lost, again, in the Blue Mountains of Katoomba in Australia (this happens every time I go out there).
• I learned I have been saying “nilly willy” wrong. Whatever.
• I tried photographing an emu while a goat chewed on my scarf (this isn't a metaphor for anything).
• I cheered until my vocal cords hurt, as my baby cousin and sister walked across the stage to receive their undergraduate degrees.
• I learned the basics of calligraphy from Hossein at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar.
• I rode my bike 50 miles for my favorite veteran.
• I donated blood and platelets every quarter.
• I discovered Tinder and OKcupid, opening Pandora’s box.
• I escorted my uncle to the Iranian Embassy and flew over Iran on my way to the United Arab Emirates (the closest I’ve ever been to stepping foot in either of my parents’ countries).
• We threw my mom a surprise birthday party, and she was surprised.
• I shuddered as I stepped into the cool wet sand of Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe and stood in awe of the mountains around me.
• I ruined a friendship because I chose comfort over being straightforward about the truth.
• I had one too many drinks at a jazz festival in Syracuse, and listened to BB King attempt to name all the members in his band (he’s getting old).
• I lost my grandfather, and learned it was okay not to be okay.
• I went to Washington, DC, more times than I can count.
• I reunited with friends and family I haven’t seen in years.
• The first of the cousins got married and it was the best wedding ever. In fact, I danced so much my calf cramped in the middle of the floor.
• I stood up for my beliefs, multiple times.
• I knocked out some New Year’s resolutions and started some healthy habits.
• I went to six wedding events in the course of a week in Karachi, Pakistan.
• I met so many people and made so many new friends.

Even on my worst days, someone helped me back to my feet or held my head in their hands while they told me it was going to get better. You know what? They were right.

I have come out of 2014 as a much more confident, successful, fun, and responsible person. This only makes me more excited to see my progress as a genuine person in 2015.

On another note, I figured the past month's travels would cure my wanderlust for the time being. The longest I've been in my house since Thanksgiving has been 48 hours. Since then, it's been Qatar, United Arab Emirates, San Francisco, Dallas, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates (yes, again), New York City, and DC.

I want more. I want so much more.
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Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention that I had a kinda successful online dating story from 2014. In fact, Shelly and I brought in New Year’s together in New York City (for those of you always nagging me about my romantic life).