1 January 2012

top 11 of 2011

please to enjoy the eleven best things that befell me this year (in no particular order):

1- casey mark dougal! (details forthcoming...)

isn't he adorable?

2- grad school! although my heart was set on school in DC, i ended up in the best IR program on the planet. i love IR/PS. i'm completely smitten and loving every minute of it. yes, even torturous midterms and finals weeks, when i literally thought the world was coming to an end. AND, i'm learning 中文! 大学是太好了! 我爱那!!!

free food-ing with my grad school chums

3- teaching sunday school. this is, by far, my favorite calling. i love teaching and teaching the new testament was pretty dang awesome this year. with all due respect, the apostle paul is sassy and i like him. i've learned so much and am looking forward to teaching the book of mormon in 2012. 

4- living in san diego. i love austin and miss it very much... but it's nice to live on the beach in this gorgeous weather that doesn't fry your brain and entire self in the summertime. also, i have a lemon tree in my patio and a really nice tan. sunshine!!! and as a result of moving to san diego, i've acquired the best sleep doctor. literally. i mean, the man treated mother teresa, for goodness' sake! and i sat in the same chair as her in his office. sigh... basically, what i'm saying is that i practically met mother teresa this year. and going to disneyland again ain't too shabby either. 

5- good friends keeping me afloat through difficult times... excruciatingly difficult times... like my entire universe falling apart and... holding these chickens?

6- glorious days in austin, enjoying everything that amazing city has to offer. the outstanding music, food, scenery, people and the millions of things to do in that #1 best place ever... i'm itching to go back! (i do realize i was just there ... but just one week is never enough!)

cruisin' downtown with resident awesome-girl, nanna.

7- my macbook pro... yes, i'm one of those obnoxious people now.

8- my little dog, benjamin franklin. he's been my boyfriend/child for a couple of years now, but this year, my little buddy has stuck with me and been my partner in crime/adventure (mostly adventure). judge this weird dog lady all you want, but i could not have gotten through the tumult of this year without this little guy.

 so maybe i really like this blue shirt and wear it always...

9- my time at TCRP. what a blessed and wonderful experience it was to work there. i was fortunate enough to spend my workdays with truly admirable, courageous people doing truly amazing, inspiring work. thank you for letting me be a part of it!

denim day 2011

10- happy happenings in my family. my darling mother married my now-stepdad who makes her very happy, my grandmother will be moving to texas from buenos aires, my cousin's little boy made it through chemo and is doing well, and all are (to the best of my knowledge) in good health and prospering. and river plate got bumped to second division, so all is well for the riquelme clan. dale boca!

i love these little girls!

11- a renewed and improved relationship with my Heavenly Father. this year, i re-learned how to pray, study the scriptures, and interact with Him on a deeper level. i am ever-grateful for His love and His care and mercy. this is definitely the best thing that befell me in 2011. 

what a load of great blessings! what are your top eleven?!

happy new year!