The year is drawing to a close, and I have to say that 2013 was amazing. I let go of a lot of things holding me back, and just went for it. I tried new things, I experienced lots of different things, I lived rather than listening to that little voice in the back of my head that seemed to keep me from venturing outside of my little box.

#1. I started a book blog. I originally started out on blogger, but I found myself getting irritated with the updates, so I came to wordpress. I figured it would be fun to tell the internet all of my thoughts on books, rather than just talking my friends’ ears off. Through blogging I’ve had the chance to read a lot of really interesting books that I wouldn’t have normally picked up. I dunked my toe into the YA world, and I’ve been caught up in it.

#2. I completed not one, but TWO 5k walks this year. I did the Color Me Rad 5k during the summer with a group of friends. It was a lot of fun–during this race every 1k you complete you’re pelted with colored cornstarch, so by the end of the race you’re a rainbow mess. And in December I did the Jingle Bell Dash with my mom, in 20*F weather. Chilly but fun.

#3. Took a huge chance, and submitted a short story to an open call, and was published in an anthology. My short story The Harrowing can be found in Bitter Blackout. This upcoming year, I plan on expanding it and releasing it on it’s own. I just got the cover art for it, and I’m SO excited to share it.

#4. Went on my first hike since I was a kid. A friend and I and her dad went to Tipsoo Lake and hiked the loop. It was beautiful, breathtaking and mosquito laden. I think I ended up with 50 bites in total. Learned the hard way that mosquito repellant and sunscreen cancel each other out.

#5. I went to Emerald City Comicon and had my picture taken with two Klingons.

#6. I had the chance to explore my county more and write with some amazing people through being an Municipal Liaison with NaNoWriMo. I’ve made some great friends, and I’m looking forward to next year and doing it all over again.

#7. I went camping with a bunch of Girl Scouts. My co-leader and I took our girls to Camporee, and had tons of fun. Our girls were Daisies so it was their first time at Girl Scout Camp.

#8. Speaking of Girl Scouts, I not only got the opportunity to start a troop, but after our summer break we not only doubled, but tripled our amount of girls in our troop.

#9. I went ‘grown up camping’ for the first time ever. For my birthday, my parents bought me tickets to Watershed festival. It’s a MASSIVE country music fest on the other side of the state. We camped for three days in 100+ weather all while getting the chance to listen to some of my favorite artists.

#10. This year was year of the concerts. I got the chance to see Eric Church, Luke Bryan, Toby Keith, Avenged Sevenfold, Killswitch Engage, Five Finger Death Punch and many other artists that I love.

#11. I grew a pretty elaborate, involved veggie garden. I had beets, three different types of peppers, carrots, onions, lettuce, broccoli, green beans, different varieties of tomatoes, zucchini, and a couple other types of squash. I also went blueberry picking for the first time.

#12. I participated in The Broke and Bookish’s Secret Santa! I’m so behind on posting, but I’ll have a post of what I received up in a few days.

#13. I met some of the most wonderful people this year. I made friends with other bloggers, some extraordinary authors, and I get to write along side some pretty awesome people in the flash fiction group I joined.

What are some things that you did this year that really stood out to you? I’d love to hear them.

Have a very Happy and safe New Year.