Highlights of 2011!

Happy 2012 everyone!! After a very long hiatus, I have decided to return to blogging. Not only is my life taking some new and exciting directions, but I also realized how much I enjoy writing and how I'd been missing it. So I'm back!

Since I've been MIA for approximately forever, I thought I'd give you a rundown of some of the highlights of 2011:

• April: I took my first big solo vacation!! After weeks of choreographing, I was able to successfully visit 4 friends, in 3 states, in 8 days. On the itinerary: Portland & Astoria in Oregon; Centralia, Olympia, Tacoma & Seattle in Washington; and Sunnyvale, San Jose, San Francisco and Sacramento in California. This was my first trip to the west coast, and the first time I'd seen some of the friends in over a year. It was absolutely fantastic!
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  Summer:  This summer was pretty low-key. Aside from working and laying out, I enjoyed several trips to St. Louis, during which I attended a college friend's wedding, cheered on the Cardinals in Busch Stadium, visited the Body Worlds exhibit at the Science Center (so cool!), took in a couple shows at The Muny, hit the town for some bachelorette parties, and just overall enjoyed the city I love. I also dove into adulthood with the purchase of a new car!
• August: In August, my dad announced his candidacy for Illinois State Senate. Since then, the campaign has been full-steam ahead. The Frese Fam has marched in many parades, attended countless festivals and fairs and community functions, and supported Dad the best we can!
• October:  Wow... October was the busiest month of the year! And what a wonderful one it was. I was lucky enough to attend 3 beautiful weddings, and even had the privilege of being a bridesmaid in my friend Mandy's.
  Mid-month, my BFF Sarah and I road-tripped to New Orleans! We enjoyed sight-seeing downtown and throughout the French Quarter and visiting with some college friends.
  Throughout October, I also watched A LOT of baseball -- because my STL Cardinals won the World Series, baby! It was a ton of fun cheering the 'Birds on for the duration of Red October, and couldn't have had a happier ending! I was lucky enough to attend Game 1 of the World Series and to be right outside the stadium when the Cardinals won Game 7!
  November:  I jet-setted to Denver for a super-quick weekend trip to visit Katie & Dave, friends I met while living in Dallas. They took me into the mountains for a day for my very first skiing experience! I was terrible and spent most of the day on my butt on the bunny hills, but the view was so incredibly gorgeous and the company was so fabulous that it totally made up for how sore those silly boots made me.
• December:  Perhaps the biggest news of my year came just days before Christmas, when I accepted a new job! My new position will take me back to St. Louis, the city that stole my heart during college and has never really returned it. I am very much looking forward to the new opportunties and challenges the job will bring, as well as the opportunities and excitement returning to city life will bring!
• Up Next:  In less than 48 hours, I will be boarding a plane for my next big solo vacation, destination: ISRAEL! Words cannot describe how much I am looking forward to this once-in-a-lifetime trip. Visiting the Holy Land + seeing a college bestie = whoa. Happiness like you wouldn't believe.  Upon my return to the U-S-of-A, I will likely be moving to a new apartment in STL & preparing to start my brand new job!

WOW! 2011 was a bigger year than I even remembered. And yet, 2012 promises to be even bigger and better.  I can't wait to share all of my new adventures with you! Stay posted!


I wanted to add some pictures, but blogger isn't cooperating right now.. try back later! :)