My Best of 2015

I'm in love with the idea of living perched in that happy in-between space occupied by year-end “Best of” lists. You’ve got the joy and sense of accomplishment of looking back at good things that happened, while looking ahead with this vague sense that maybe more amazing things will happen next year. All the while mentally shutting the door on all the stuff that did not make that "Best of" list because most of the year likely was not a demonstration of the best of you or really anything...it was just life.

You’d think I might be excited to say goodbye to 2015 - it is the year I got laid off, after all. That whole experience could have ruined my year, but it really didn’t. I’m happy to say that my quest for new experiences, supercharged by my 40 by 40 list, has created a stockpile of amazingness that even losing my job could not deplete. I have so much for which to be grateful. So here, organized loosely on a scale of “I love that I got to do that” to “I’m eternally grateful that happened,” are my favorite experiences of 2015:

10. I went to SXSW Interactive!

It’s unusual for a work trip to make the list of my favorite things, but this was such a great experience. What an awesome place with smart people doing cool stuff everywhere - so much inspiration per square inch. Plus, I got to attend with two coworkers that I didn’t know would no longer be my coworkers just 3 short months later, which makes it both bittersweet and even more special in retrospect.

Jimmy Kimmel at SXSW.

9. I met Mary Karr & Mary Louise Parker!

It’s not like I actually got to hang out with either of these amazing ladies, but I did, in fact, get to meet them and attempt to absorb some of their creative energy in those 30 seconds. Truth be told, I went in the most starstruck by MLP, but I left with the most admiration for Mary Karr. So funny and poised and genuine. But really, more important than the actual meeting is that when I learned of this book event back in July, it was like a beacon in a fog of anxiety and uncertainty about the whole finding to find a job thing. It was a risk to buy tickets to an event in LA when I was sitting in Minneapolis without a job, but I needed something inspiring at that moment and it turned into an amazing trip with my husband, which included me turning into a blushing schoolgirl upon meeting two women whom I fiercely admire. (Plus, were it not for this trip, #6 would not have happened!)

The Marys talking about writing.

8. I got my favorite tattoo!

When I originally added “Get another tattoo” to my 40 by 40 list, I didn’t know what I wanted to get for sure. But when my mom said she would finally go get the tattoo that she’s been talking about for a decade - my name on her arm - I knew I wanted the names of my boys somewhere I could see them every day. And with the help of a talented artist at Jackalope Tattoo, I now have my heart. And it’s perfect.

My heart.

7. I got my travel certification!

As part of getting laid off I had the opportunity to get free training. I thought maybe I could parlay my technology experience into a future in the travel industry, but I didn’t have any travel experience other than my personal travel planning addiction, so I did some research and learned that there is an entry-level certification that gives you the basics about the industry. Thinking this could help me land a job, I was able to enroll. What I didn’t know is that A) I would love this course, and B) it would actually teach me that it might not be so crazy to think that I could someday make a living planning trips (not just working for a big company that makes travel software). As I write this, I’m in the process of getting set up with a host agency so I can begin moonlighting as a legit travel agent. It remains to be seen if this is a life-changing event, but it’s pretty awesome either way.

Thanks to my travel course, I learned about the Tiffany card system, which is how airline reservations used to be made! (Photo from the NWA History Centre)

6. I met Brian Henson!

This is a big fucking deal. I know that he didn’t personally birth the Muppets, but the Muppets are essentially his siblings. Henson blood runs through his veins. Plus, the fact that we just happened to meet him in his office while getting a tour of the Henson Studios made it even more incredible. He sits at the same desk his father used. I was in the presence of greatness. (And he was really nice!)

Not Brian Henson.

5. I ate the menu degustation at Joel Robuchon!

I’d been talking about this dinner forever. The 16-course menu! Chef of the Century! Las Vegas! I don’t remember when I first learned that it existed, but it had become a goal worthy of my 40 by 40 list. With the help of my friend Rachel, I decided to make this dream come true this year for my 38th birthday. I had no idea I would be laid off the next week, but I'm so glad I got to have such a decadent experience right before the axe fell. From the purple velvet booth to the dessert in the form of a window box with tiny edible flowers, it was perfect. Definitely a meal that I'll remember for a lifetime.

The cutest damn dessert.

4. I did 12 Hours in Vegas!

When my plot to squeeze in a beach vacation before starting my new job was foiled by my children, who didn't want to miss school, my husband and I took advantage of cheap red-eye airfares to Vegas with a plan to tackle sin city in a 9am-9pm whirlwind. We pretty much did everything we'd normally do in Vegas (gamble, drink, gamble, eat, gamble) but on a compressed schedule. It was a fun little adventure that I'd definitely do again if the price was right...though I'd much prefer to stay a few days. 

The best.

3. I went to Pastry Bootcamp at the CIA!

I can hardly even believe it happened this year, but back in February, I jetted off to New York to achieve my 40 by 40 dream of attending pastry bootcamp at the Culinary Institute of America. I spent a whole week in class with a real French pastry chef teaching me to make eclairs and tiramisu and, of course, the 3-day croissants. If I could be a professional culinary student, I think I would. It was so much fun and such an unusual break from my ordinary life. Plus, I now have my very own chef whites!

My croissants!

2. I took an Alaskan cruise with my family!

Another 40 by 40 item list...well, two actually: Take a cruise and See the glaciers in Alaska. What a fantastic way to experience both! I loved everything about all of it. The ship, the water, the casino, the glaciers! I even liked being confined to a small space with the people I love most in the world. But if I was making a top 10 list of memories from that trip (and I totally could), #1 would definitely be dogsledding on the glacier in Skagway. The helicopter, the dogs, the scenery, the feeling of being at the top of the world...AMAZING.

Dashing through the snow!

1. I got to have a summer home with my boys!

I won't list being laid off as one of my favorite parts of 2015 because it was really hard and I still think the way it all went down was really callous and stupid. BUT, I will tell you that I believe I will look back and know that it was all for the best...starting with the fact that my unemployment started in June, which meant that I got a lot of unexpected time to spend with my boys when they are just on the cusp of not wanting to spend time with me anymore. And I'm really grateful for that.

This is a generic summer photo from the internet because I didn't have one of my own.

I just realized my list spans the four edges of the United States, which I think is super cool and fitting, as I do feel like I've been all over the place (physically and mentally) this year. Things change. Life is good. Life is even better when you have something to look forward to, and it's up to you to make that happen. Bring it on, 2016.

Happy New Year!