It’s hard to think that 2014 is coming to an end. This year has been a complete whirlwind for me, filled with both good and bad experiences. Each event or instance has taught me something about myself, the world, or it has given me something I needed- whether I thought I needed it at the time or not.

In January, I took the leap into the non-profit arena. For a girl coming from a privately- held insurance company, it hit me like a truck going full speed. I was welcomed into a world that I had never experienced. I got to do things I never thought possible. I laughed, I cried, but most importantly, I was able to experience human compassion on a level I’d never seen before.

In addition to my new job, I moved to a new city and lived with a person I didn’t know (craigslist actually, kind of worked out.)

Everything was new and although it was a roller coaster as I got my bearings- I’m happy to say I made it through the year with new experiences under my belt.

Here are my 20 firsts in 2014:

1. I started a new position at an organization I am passionate about.
2. My tweet was in an America’s tire commercial and I got $100 for it.
3. Hosted a Walk event for more than 1,500 people and saw more than a hundred people do the cupid shuffle at once.
4. Experienced an ice cream eating competition where grown men ate more than six pounds of ice cream in less than 10 minutes.
5. Saw my favorite bands at KROQ Weenie Roast (Bastille was number one) and went to my first concert alone (Native Tour- to see The Script and One Republic.)
6. Attended Angels batting practice and got to meet Mike Trout and CJ Wilson.
7. Went to the Getty Museum for the first time.
8. Helped grant wishes to for a ‘cool kid’, chef and veterinarian.
9. Landed the covers of newspapers and sections of the newspapers.
10. My room in my apartment flooded (I spent a week camping out the in living room.)
11. I helped plan and market a charity gala.
12. I discovered the better part of Back Bay.
13. Saw a good friend get married and my best friend announce she is pregnant.
14. Drank Bailey’s with my grandmother for the first time.
15. Ran with my brother and mom in the Oceanside Turkey Trot.
16. Saw my first LA Galaxy soccer match and Chargers football game
17. Secured my first NBC 4 Life Connected Segment.
18. Attended my first Santa Pub Crawl and saw the Newport Beach Boat Parade.
19. My wish kids were the only ones featured in a national commercial.
20. I played my first round of golf (nine holes and I lost three balls.)

It was an eventful year and one that I will never forget.  Here’s to an even better 2015!

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