My Year as 28

All in all, my year as a 28 year old was a good one that taught me a lot of things.  It may have had its ups and downs, but in the end, it shaped my life in a positive way.

This was the year I’d be the maid of honor for my best friend’s wedding and see her be happier than she’s ever been.  It's hard to explain just how amazing it feels to stand there and watch your best friend walk down the aisle towards the man that she loves. And how it actually feels even better to look over and see him be even more happier.  To approve of this man and to know that he is exactly what she needs...it doesn't get better than that.

The year I’d become an aunt to a beautiful, happy baby girl…Ella. The first in our family! I'm sad I can't be closer to watch her grow up, but I'll do everything I can to be there for important life events and to make sure she knows she's got a pretty cool aunt out there that loves her to death.

The year I’d move to Switzerland and learn just how little you need to actually get by as an expat in a brand new country.  When you cook and eat pasta with just a knife because that's all the silverware you have...or when you open up a wine bottle with that same knife, or at least tried to, just to end up pushing the cork into the bottle because you are desperate to drink that wine.  Being without any of my household belongings for a full 2 months wasn't easy, but you sure do learn new and creative ways of doing things.  

The year I’d have to leave my kitty, Bella, behind with the hopes that she would be happier that way.  And thankfully...she seems to be.  And I think my grandma is happier too now that she has her.  It's really hard to do something like this because it felt like I was abandoning her, but now when I see how she is more playful than ever and most importantly, how much happiness she brings to my grandma... I know I've done the right thing.  

The year I’d learn how to ski, despite hating winter and the cold. Yep. This may seem like a small achievement, but if you understood how very much I hated the cold growing up, you'd understand how big this was for me.  The new ski season has just begun, so this year will be all about improving.  Bring it on!

The year I’d travel to 12 countries and about 25 cities in just 10 short months and have one of these trips be truly life changing.  Most people can only dream of visiting the places I've visited this year.  For that, I am truly thankful for this life.  And I cannot say enough about how my trip to Croatia completely changed my appreciation for living a simple life as long as it's filled with good people and good times.  

The year I’d get my heart broken…again…but then turn around to find someone that I’d drop everything for and fly to Brazil, just to see him for 48 hours.  When you find someone that you just know is right for you, you'd do anything and that's exactly what I did.  This wasn't without difficulty though, of course, because silly me forgot about the visa requirements and almost didn't make my way into the country.  Thank goodness for all those amazing friends I met in Croatia ;) 

The year I’d finally decide to search for my real father.  And then find him, against all odds.  You may ask "Why now at 28?"  That is a very good question that I don't really have a good answer for.  I guess I just felt like it was the right time.  Maybe my curiosity finally got the better of me.  I don't really know. All I can say is that I'm glad I did.  He's a wonderful and welcoming person and the outcome of finding him couldn't have turned out any better.  

So yeah... I'd say it's been a pretty amazing year for me.  I'll miss being 28, but I'm excited about what 29 will bring.  Fingers crossed that it will kick 28's ass!  

The trip that changed my life - The Yacht Week Croatia

My expectations were high to begin with.  I watched and re-watched the YouTube video over and over again and with every second that got me closer, I was so excited I could hardly contain myself.  

The day had finally come though and it was Day 1 of Yacht Week. My crew and I arrived and before we even signed the papers, we ordered a beer.  We were greeted by cute Crew members and our Skipper, Ollie, who we'd later find out would become one of our best friends and would end up making our trip.  

A shockwave of euphoria passed through our bodies as we took the initial step from the dock onto the teetering vessel...the chariot that would take us through the best week of our LIVES.  I didn't know it then, but this week would be the week that changed me as a person and would change my entire outlook on life.  This, my friends, is THE YACHT WEEK.

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I didn't think it was possible, but each day was better than the last.  It didn't matter how sick I was, how tired, or how bumped and bruised we all were...we made the most of what we had.  

Our boats were filthy and our luggage took up 95% of our sleep space...

We had 1-3 hours of sleep per night, if we were unlucky enough to pass out before the sunrise...

And when we did sleep, we'd wake up in a hammock, in the sail, on the top of the boat, on the dock, in a catamaran net that didn't belong to you...but NEVER in a designated bed...because that was just, well, weird...

We were deathly sick...all of us...

The bruises I witnessed were some of the craziest bruises i've ever seen...

We ate very little food throughout the week and replaced it with the most amount of alcohol i've ever been around...

Yet, all of these "negatives" were viewed as positives by the BEAUTIFUL people on this trip. These people have now become my lifelong friends.  They are located all around the globe, but I will NEVER forget them.  I woke up every morning forgetting their names, but I refuse to forget their faces.  These people have changed my life for the better.  

I can't find the right words to use, but everyone was just READY.  Ready to take in all of what the week had to offer.  Ready to love one another and love our surroundings.  

All I can say to everyone is THANK YOU.  Thank you for the experience of a lifetime, because honestly, one hasn't lived until they've lived the Yacht Week Life!  My initial expectations were surpassed.  

Yours Truly ~  BUTTERFLY on the loose ;) 

My New York

In my 5 years of living in this city, I’ve learned all the essentials and then some.  I learned to avoid the subway at rush hour. I learned to tip cabbies and servers well. If you see something, say something. Buckle up. Stand clear of closing doors…yada yada yada. 

But here is what it’s like to actually be a New Yorker:

You'll always feel good when asked for directions and bad when you don't have the right answers.

Anytime you leave your apartment you’ll spend money…it’s a just a given, so plan on it.

Two words for survival...Duane.  Reade. 

Make friends in the nightlife business.  Otherwise, get used to dealing with bouncers and waiting in long lines in the freezing cold. 

Toughen up - literally.  For some reason even two bags of groceries become heavy when you have to carry them home.

And on that note…save your credit cards to seamlessweb.com or delivery.com but do not allow yourself to access these websites at 4am.  You’ll just end up waking up to French fries EVERYWHERE.  True story (Andie and Hayley).

Doormen become family…I mean, they are the ones watching over your precious packages and let’s be honest, you’ll end up ordering EVERYTHING online at one time or another. 

Every beautiful man is probably gay, or at least will be one day.  If you are really interested, ask if they are “bi-curious”...if not, you’ll need to just get over it. 

The red hand sign on corners that means “stop” doesn’t actually apply to this city.

Your Louboutin bottoms will NOT last on these sidewalks…so get a good shoe repair guy.  I recommend Leather Spa.

Don’t waste a New Yorkers time.  We aren’t rude, we are busy.  Huge difference.

People who fall over when the subway starts will get laughed at.  We can tell you are from out of town when this happens, so just hold on, asshole.

Cabbies are the greatest people on earth, at least for fifteen minutes. Some of my favorite conversations have been with cabbies, because there is a curious intimacy that develops when you both know you will only share 10 blocks together in this lifetime.

I did not learn how to walk and text at the same time, because if I had, maybe I wouldn’t have dropped and cracked my iPhone (three times).  I still always do it though.

And last but not least….

New York is a lonely place. But in New York, you’re never alone.