2013 is almost over.

Standing outside Obama's viewing box for the inaugural parade in DC

Despite my best efforts, I turned 25

Crafting Easter eggs

Enjoying good music, food, and company at Googa Mooga with free VIP tickets.  Later in the trip, I met Matthew Broderick. 

Reliving Rocky's glory days in Philly.

Me and my wedding date, using as many photo props as possible.

I found myself back in DC, riding bikes in front of the White House with these two patriotic beauts. 

Grandma and Papa celebrated 65 years of being married

One of my first days of teaching, taking selfies in the staff bathroom

Celebrating Melissa's engagement to Vance

Oliver and I dressed up as Charlie Brown and Snoopy for a Halloween party

I attended my very first country concert...and enjoyed it. 

In November, my oldest sister had her first baby the day before Thanksgiving.

In December, I played bingo and had lunch with my grandma's church group consisting of many older women who are avid supporters of both bingo and a modest lunchtime

DC Part II: Staff Ball

I've been thinking of the perfect way to write this post since January. Just kidding. I've actually just been being super lazy and halfway forgot about this thing called the internet.

Anyway, here are a few pictures from the Staff Ball in DC the day after the inauguration. This was likely the only time I will ever be in the same room as the Obamas, the Bidens, Lady Gaga, and Tony Bennett. A good time, that's for sure. I can't believe it's been almost six weeks since I was traipsing around DC. I love that place.

Shameless selfie.

The ladies, always laughing

It was cold. My bare legs started turning blue in the time it took to hail a cab.

Joe and Dr. Jill

Obamster and Shelly

Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett

DC Part 1: Inauguration Day Parade

A DC sunrise

Men in uniform, all lined up 

The man of the hour: Obama and the always lovely Michelle

Presidential Viewing Booth 

Joe and Jill Biden making an entrance

That's  me! In the same picture as Obama!

Guys, we have SO much to talk about. I spent the past week in DC for Obama's inauguration. It was a rad and cold time filled with so many good things. Watch out, North Carolina- DC might have me hooked!

2012, in a nutshell.

Better late than never- 2012 in a nutshell

January: I received a hilarious and somewhat sad note from a substitute teacher while I was out of work for an afternoon. 

February: This was an interesting month with a high on Valentine's Day and a low just before my birthday when I wrecked my car. Luckily the year just got better!

March: This was a quiet month but I did manage to see Fun. play a show in Carrboro.

April: I met a few celebrities in NYC and at the end of the month, I got to meet one of my oldest friend's baby girl, Estelle.

May: Another one of my best and oldest friends got married in our hometown.

June: I finished up my first year of teaching, went to DC, and started taking guitar lessons with the raddest instructor around. What a month!

July: I went to weddings and saw lots of good friends. 

August: I spent most of this month in coffee shops applying to jobs and watching the Olympics. 

September: What a busy month! We had our very first book club meeting and I went to HopScotch Music Festival in Raleigh, saw Florence and the Machine and Ben Folds. And my baby niece turned into a teenager...where does the time go?

October: I spent the month working on Obama's campaign by doing all sorts of crazy things. And it was awesome.

November: Obama won the election!

December: A piece I wrote was featured in PineStraw magazine! (on pg. 75, to be specific)

Over the (past 2) months...

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Near the end of September, I was given the incredible opportunity to work on President Obama's reelection campaign here in North Carolina.* It was a whirlwind and there were a few times where a breaking point loomed awfully close.  

But there's no way I would trade the experience for anything. I got the chance to work with a pretty stellar group of people, do some event planning, make a lot of spreadsheets, and go canvassing, to name a few. No two days were the same but they were all pretty epic. 

Although Obama didn't win the state of North Carolina, we couldn't have hoped for a better overall outcome. I was stoked when Obama won in 2008 but working on his campaign made it that much more exciting on November 6th. 

*To those of you who think a little differently about politics than me, please don't take offense to this post. It's not meant to brainwash or persuade anybody, just a little update on what I've been doing. 

Go vote!

Please go vote today if you haven't already! 

Find out where here.