Happy New Years Eve Eve everyone!
I am beyond excited to be celebrating New Years Eve this year in Iceland. Rumor has it this is the place to be on NYE and I can’t wait to see the firework show I have heard so much about! Aside from a kick ass party, fireworks and a midnight kiss New Years to me is also a time to reflect back on what the past year and to make goals for the next year.
Looking back on my 2013 it was quite the roller coaster of a year for me. From going back to my college job and taking classes to pursue a second degree, reuniting with old friends and saying hard goodbyes, to making the move to Iceland it has been a busy year! Before I get my NYE party hat on and welcome 2014 I wanted to reflect back on my year and share some of my favorite moments from 2013.
Getting matching tattoos with my Mom and Grandma
My little sister is type 1 diabetic and she is the bravest person I know. To show our never ending love and support for my sister we decided to get matching tattoos of the diabetes ribbon inside an infinity symbol. We got the idea after my sister had seen a family who had gotten similar tattoos and had told me what a cool idea she thought it was. While it was my second tattoo it was both my mom and grandmas first and it was quite the interesting experience. Once we showed my sister our tattoo’s, which was a complete surprise, and I saw her faces it made it all worth it and it is such a special memory to me.
Lady Gaga concert
Lady Gaga’s concert was nothing but amazing and my mom and I had a blast, definitely one to check off the bucket list!
Easter trip to Iceland
After H had visited me in January we were reunited In March back in Iceland. I spent a few weeks here and had the chance to celebrate Easter with some waterfalls.
Ran my first Marathon
In April I ran my first full marathon in under my goal time of 4 hours! The pain and joy I felt during this experience was unforgettable and I am now hooked on running races. Next up another full marathon this summer here in Iceland.
Abolition Project fashion show
May not only brought my 24th birthday but also the chance for me to participate in a fashion show with Abolition Project. Abolition Project is an organization with the mission to stop human slavery through the art and fashion made by the everyday person.They promote such a great cause and I am so glad I had the chance to participate in one of their fashion shows. Bonus, my sister got to walk the runway with me, and I didn’t fall!
Running in the Dirty Dash
This summer H came in June to spend a month with me and the first thing on our list was to participate in the Dirty Dash. The Dirty Dash is a 5k mud run filled with mud pits and obstacles. Costumes are also encouraged and we like to go all out with costumes, even if they are about to get ruined by the mud.
Road trip to California
In July while H was still here we packed up my car and headed down to California for a week long trip. The trip was full of wonderful memories with some of my favorites being our rides on the trolley cars in San Francisco and our visit to Napa Valley, aka wine heaven.
Willamette Country Music Festival
To close out the summer in August I went to a 3 day music festival with my parents and it was an absolute blast! My parents sure know how to have fun and they can rally much better than me. I was glad to have that time with them knowing I would be moving soon, and of course seeing Carrie Underwood in concert was pretty awesome as well 
Moved to Iceland
In October I packed up my bags and made the move to Iceland. It was the most nervous, terrified, and excited I have ever been. Saying all those goodbyes was very difficult and it has not been an easy transition for me but I am happy to be starting 2014 in Iceland.
Started a blog
In November I finally got the courage to do something I have been wanting to do for a long time, start a blog! Unlocking Kiki has been a wonderful experience so far and I am already hooked on blogging.
The small things that make me smile
All of this pictures are things that make me smile when I look back on the year. Morning cuddles with Azora, reuniting with my childhood best friend for many nights filled with nonstop laughter, my sister finally turning 21 and being able to go out and have drinks with me, and of course that sushi that I now dream about over here in Iceland!
Through it all I am happy with where I am ending 2013. I feel like I am in a good place to make some great things happen in my life in 2014 and I am so excited to see where things will go. I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe New Years Eve and that 2014 is all you hope it to be!
Question of the Day?
What is a favorite memory from 2013? Will you make a New Years resolution this year?
