Oh, 2013. I am glad you are over.

I feel bad whenever I say that 2013 kinda sucked.  There were so many things to be grateful for - so many major blessings received.  Wonderful friends!  My job!  I live in New York!  My family is awesome!  Many of my friends have gotten married to great people!

But the heaviness remains.  2013 was hard on me.

My grandmother, one of my closest friends, passed away in November.  I've been feeling less weepy in recent weeks about it all, but even typing it is making my tear ducts wet.  I went to San Francisco to celebrate 100 years of her life even though she wasn't there anymore, and I was able to hold hands and cry with people who understand how I feel.  The last time I saw her, 2 weeks before she died, I told her how much I loved her and what a great grandma she has been to me.  I have no doubts that I will see her again and that we will dance again and laugh again, but knowing that I have to continue my life without her is just hard.  I miss her.  I will continue to miss her for a long, long time.  LeOra, I thought that you'd live forever.

Some close friends of my family died tragically toward the end of the year.  Friends were critically ill.  I went on some really bad dates.  I went on some really good dates, just to be fair.  Hey - I dated!  A friend pointed out to me the other day that I broke up with someone on New Years last year over Noah's Ark (I believe that to SOME degree it is plausible, but who knows/cares{apparently he did}).  This summer I went on a date with a guy who built his own boat and he took me out on it.  On December 30th I ended up on a date with a guy named Noah.  It all comes full circle, doesn't it?  

The Year of the Flood.

2014 is going to be my year - I know it.

In no particular order, here are some photos from 2013 that make me happy.  With so many wonderful friends, I shouldn't really complain.

If 2013 was any indicator, I should buy stock in McDonalds.

Here's to an even better 2014.