2012 - A year in review!

Well, here we go! I told myself as a New Year's Resolution that I was going to start blogging so I might as well do it huh? I wasn't sure how to just dive right in, so since this is a blog about my life I figure a recap of 2012 is perfect! Let's not waste any more time...

January

It's hard to believe that a year ago this time, I was still in school. January 2012 started my 8th and final semester at Purdue University! As a member of the Purdue All-American Marching Band, I got to start the year out in lovely Detroit, Michigan for the Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl. I actually enjoyed that trip, as short as it was, because Purdue was playing Western Michigan and thanks to Kappa Kappa Psi I actually knew quite a few people in the Bronco Marching Band. 

Brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi from Purdue and Western Michigan

January also saw the start of my t-shirt quilt experience. Let me just start by saying that I CANNOT SEW. But friends, if you know me, you know that once I decide I'm doing something, it's going to happen. Mom and I cut and prepped all of the materials and then my Aunt Susie armed me with a sewing machine. From there, it was just me and the machine and a six month journey. 

February 

February was definitely an exciting month for me! In Kappa Kappa Psi, my family added two new members, my second little and my grand-little! 

Grandlittle(Billy), Little #1 (Brent), Me and Little #2 (Carly)!

I also started working part-time at MP3 farms, getting my feet wet before diving full in after graduation! 
Finally, I got tattoo number 5 in February, which now that I look back on it is kind of ironic because February is the love month and that's kind of what it's all about. Can't remember if I planned that or not...

March

March was apparently a pretty boring month. The highlight was definitely being a member of the pep band that traveled with the Purdue Women's Basketball team and seeing them win the Big 10 Tournament!
 

April

Being the last month of school, April brought the close to a lot of my activities. It was a very bittersweet month because I would have to add "the last" in front of many things I did. For example, I went to my last district convention for KKPsi, my last spring band banquet and gave my rant at my last final chapter meeting. I also got to see Young Frankenstein, the Musical which was hilarious!

Graduating seniors of Kappa Kappa Psi

Full chapter after we officially welcomed our new members!

May

Hmm...let's see, what happened in May? Oh yeah! I GRADUATED! On May 12, 2012 I officially became an alumna of Purdue University! Two days later I started working full-time at MP3, talk about a quick turn around. 

Me with Purdue president France Cordova after my graduation ceremony!

June

June saw the beginning of my weight-loss journey. On June 15, 2012 I weighed in at 158 pounds and it was finally time to do something about it! I also saw Toby Keith in concert at the end of the month.

July

I'm being honest when I say that the most exciting thing to happen to me in July was ordering Skyrim...

August 

In August I hit my first two fitness milestones! I lost 15 pounds and had run 30 miles to date. I also moved off campus and into my "big girl apartment" where I now currently reside. 

September

At the beginning of the month I hit another weight-loss milestone, 20 total pounds lost! At the end of the month I got to see my first Tampa Bay Rays game, with my friend Angie, and the next day I hit 50 total miles ran since June. 

October

On October 6, 2012 I ran my first ever 5K, the Cincinnati Color Run! That was the longest run I had done to date and was such a blast! I also got to go to a regular season Colts game with Jackie in October and they actually won! Last but not least, I attended the wedding of my former roommate Lisa! Finally, it looks like I have a life again!

November

My first official Purdue Football tailgating experience came at the beginning of November  However, it was such a miserable day weather wise that we didn't even go to the game! We just packed up after watching the band and watched the game at a campus bar. Maybe this year...

Weight wise, I hit the 25 pounds lost mark and discovered that I now wear a size 7/8 jeans! Quite the happy dance was done.

 

December

My favorite month of the year brought my 23rd birthday and an iPhone 5. At work I performed my first emergency C-section and managed to ride a sow. I also hit an all time low of 126 pounds (or 32 pounds lost) although I'm currently sitting a little higher than that.  I was lucky enough to get to see both of my families for Christmas, even though it was a lot of driving! My best friend and I got matching tattoos and I managed to run 100 miles total for the year! Such a busy month! 

Matching tattoos with Jackie!

Whew! Finally, I'm done with this post! This silly blog took me three nights worth of writing to finish! I'm not sure why I find blogging so hard, I know I have plenty to say :) Maybe I need to set up a reward system for myself? A dollar in a jar for every post? Anywho, I hope you enjoyed reading about my life, and come back for the next installment!

Until next time, 

Lauren