Reflecting on 2010

I've neglected my blog over the holidays; spending two weeks back in my hometown distracted me from everything online related, aside from being online for my job. Christmas and New Years has come and gone, and they were lovely. I had a wonderful white Christmas, filled with oodles of family, food, and laughs. Of course, there were presents too, but it was more about my family. I mourned the horrendous University of Michigan football loss in the Gator Bowl, and went to hockey games, as well. But, its great to be back in the District, and getting into my routine again. I have a lot of posts lined up, as a result of my neglect.

I entered 2010 in a rough patch. I was jobless, single, and living at home, and just sad. What a difference a year makes. I brought in 2010 in Chicago, IL and it started with a bang. I had hoped by doing something special for NYE it would mean 2010 would be better. I was able to get an amazing internship, and moved to Washington, DC on a whim. I knew one person, and moved alone, and lived completely alone for the first time. I explored my  new city, tried new restaurants, and loved every thing about it (despite the horrible metro). I visited Philadelphia on 4th of July, and had a family wedding in my back yard. I met The Detroit Tigers. I finally have a real job I absolutely love. I moved into a new apartment and got a roommate. This has been an amazing growing year for me, and I've learned a lot about myself. I know I can be independent and live on my own. I'm teaching myself how to cook, and on my way to becoming an "adult."

2010 was a better year for me - but I think 2011 will be even better as I grow in my job and continue get more comfortable in DC and develop my social life. I have lots of goals (and a few minor resolutions) I hope to achieve this year. Those will be a whole nother post.I hope my blog will continue to evolve and grow as I do. 

I hope all my lovely readers had a wonderful holiday season, and are just as excited for the new year and "new beginnings" as I am! 

Christmas Lights on crack?

I don't care if these videos are "old news." I love Christmas lights, and I love the music. It's a win win, in my book!

Zoo Lights - Holiday Spirit!

I've gotten distracted from blogging lately; getting home late due to metro delays, and migraines will do that to you. But, as I sit on my couch listening to my Glee Christmas music playlist on Grooveshark, thinking about how four days from now I'll be back in the Midwest and with  my family for Christmas Eve, I'm finally in the Christmas spirit. Lots of Christmas posts in the next few days :)

This past weekend, I really wanted to do something festive - I haven't seen any Christmas decorations (I'm missing my parents house right now!). So, I grabbed my good friend from college, and we headed off to ZooLights at the National Zoo after work this past Friday. It was free, and the weather wasn't too cold (I did layer up though). We had so much fun! The lights were gorgeous, and all of the indoor exhibits were open, which was nice. A lot of the lights went on and off with music. If you're in DC this week, I recommend you go, it was definitely worth the hike out there.

A few of my favorite pictures, below.

I need to try to make a trip out to the National Christmas Tree in the next few days! I miss my holiday traditions of drive through Christmas lights, decorating  my tree with my Mom, and Christmas cookies. It's time to make some new "pre-holiday" traditions.

What are some of your favorite things to do during the holidays?

Christmas Wish list

"Make my wish come true, Baby all I want for Christmas is... You"

I love the holidays, and shopping for others. But, I'd be lying if I didn't fess up to making my own "wishlist" of things I'd love to get/buy myself. Some are more realistic than others, but thats why it's a wish list! What are you wishing for this year?

I really want a crockpot, but I'm just not sure I'd use it too much. I would get scared to leave it on all day.

Love the Tory Burch shoes, but can't justify the price!

I always try to steal my Mom's, but she catches me!

I've used my longchamp back to the extreme- its starting to tear in the corners. I would love one in purple or red.

I know, I'm pathetic, but I really want to read this. So much, that for the family secret Santa's, I'm asking my cousin to buy me this. Go ahead, make fun of me!

I know that this would make me laugh. Lots. 

My ultimate Christmas wish? An iPad- this thing is amazing!

12 days of Christmas

The month of December is one of my favorite months, and I have a feeling the posts on the holidays will be a major trend here in La Caffeinista. I loved a post over at the fabulous Polished Chaos discussing 25 Christmas to-dos. It made me excited for the holiday season and gave me inspiration to write this post; my top holiday to-dos; the 12 days of Christmas, to give it a name.

1. Donate to a food bank - I love working for a company that takes community service/giving back to others seriously, so I plan on donating food to a local food bank. We've having an inter-office competition and its so much fun, but all for a good cause!
2. Play in the snow - I'm hoping by the time I'm back at my parent's house for Christmas there will be snow; there's nothing better than a white Christmas.
3. Find my parent's the ultimate Christmas gift - My brother and I are working hard to find our parents something amazing to show them just how much we appreciate all they've done for us. They're hard to buy for, so I've been scouring the internet. No luck yet!
4. Bake holiday cookies
5. Watch Elf, Love Actually, the Santa Clause and Home Alone. Also, watch A Christmas Story on Christmas Eve- it's a family tradition!
6. Decorate your tree; reminisce about the ornament/where they came from.
7. Drive around and look at Christmas lights. Back at my parents home, there's an amazing drive through Christmas light show. It's beautiful. 
8. Go look at the White House Christmas tree - I think when my brother visits in a few weeks, we'll go check it out!
9. Make a Gingerbread House - I'm thinking of inviting some friends over to make them. It's so much fun.
10. Be thankful for what you have, and spend time with family  and friends- I have close to 50 family members who will be at my house on Christmas eve. Its the best day the year, and it's not about the presents. Its about all of us being together (and of course the delicious food!)
11. Listen to Christmas music until you can't take it anymore - I've been jamming to my Glee Holiday music Pandora playlist at work; it really cheers me up!
12. Get at least one drink in Starbuck's holiday cup- already achieved this a long time ago, but it equals the holidays are here!

Okay, so technically this makes it 13, but I feel like this is a separate one all on its own.

1. Remember what the holidays are about - family, friends, and giving back to others. Such a special time of the year to be thankful for everything you have.

Why I love Thanksgiving..

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays; I think it's pretty close to Christmas. Especially now that I have to fly home for it and don't see my family as often, it's more important to me. By the time this posts, I will have already left DC and arrived back home with my family and friends. Cannot wait!

I love...

• the amazing food. This year my Mom's not cooking and I'm kind of sad because my parents are the most amazing cooks I've ever met (for real). But... it's nice because we are...
• spending time with family. My family is large and we see each other often; but Thanksgiving everyone does their own thing and Christmas is where we ALL (over 50 of us) come together (at my parents house). This year we are going to my Aunt's for Turkey Day; and spending it with my aunt/uncle and at least two of my cousins, and my grandma. I'm excited to spend time with a few of my cousins and my family. I appreciate my family so much more now that I'm not living at home.
• colder weather - It's pretty warm in the District- this past weekend it was in the 60s! At home, its in the 30s, and I'm looking to a few days of cold.

I'm pretty sure this is the most awesome picture - EVER

!

• the Michigan/Ohio State weekend! Yes, Michigan sucks and will probably lose, but this is the biggest game of the year, still, and I am SO excited to get to watch it with my Dad/maybe other family members! Miracles can happen, right? My Dad isn't too optimistic, but I still have hope!
• that Christmas is almost here! Thanksgiving marks the start of Christmas lights, my Mom putting up decorations, and Christmas music. It makes me excited.
• thinking about present shopping - my brother and I will HOPEFULLY get our shopping done for our parents this week, but knowing us, that's not a guarantee. I love present shopping for others, but Black Friday kind of intimidates me.
• Christmas/Holiday cards - My Mom always does our cards... do I send out my own now that I no longer live with them? It's not like I have a significant other or a pet to take a photo with.. and my favorite part about cards is the photo. Maybe I'll send out some personal/handwritten cards to just my family and a few close friends. I should get on that!
• new traditions. I'm hoping to meet one of my "little" (she's 16, I can't believe it!) cousins for coffee and breakfast, something we've been trying to do every time I come home now. I miss my sports buddy! (we go to a lot of games together.) I also want to see my god daughter and basically cram as much family time as I can into the 4.5 days I'm home!