where is haley?: A look back at 28

Saturday, November 17, 2012

A look back at 28

What a year!

I really like to take some time around my birthday to look back on the last year. Its amazing at everything that happens in a year... and looking back on how my 28th year passed is nothing short of that.

28 was spread across 11 different countries. It was filled with heart lows and highs, new ideas for next steps, and quite a bit of reflection.

I am very grateful for the relationships that have shaped the trajectory of my time over the last 12 months. 28 was a year of reunions for me - I was able to reconnect with old friends in all corners of the earth.

I had the chance to work with some phenomenal people.

I got the chance to pour my heart out in all sorts of different ways,

and new doors have opened up for the year ahead.

Thankful for the bricks this year added to the foundation for whatever is ahead!

November

28 started with a lovely birthday party thrown by my girlfriends in New Haven

Then a trip in to NYC for a special brunch with some of my special ladies,

And ended with a trip home to Idaho for Thanksgiving

and Christmas tree-trimming with Grandma

December

December kicked off with a trip to Ecuador for work, and afterward I had the chance to meet up with my friend Kate and play in a the lovely village of Banos and Quito

Then back home for Christmas, and a post Christmas snowy cabin mini-family reunion in McCall.

New Years Eve was spent in a cabin in Vermont with some of my favorites,

and we wished in the new year with sky lanterns over a frozen lake.

January

January kicked off with a trip to San Franscico to work on a video project and spend some time with Mateo and Benjamin

Then I was off to Paraguay for the second year of camp there

February

On the way home from Paraguay, I stopped in El Salvador to see my dear friend KC who was serving in the Peace Corps. We caught up, dreamed dreams, met fun new people, and played on the beach.

March

Then it was home in New Haven for a few weeks in March to reconnect with friends and life!

And enjoy the blooming cherry trees

April

April was chock full - our annual Gala in New York City and the unleash of our new organizational name.

Then I was off to Vietnam to train childcare workers for a couple of weeks

and to Cambodia for a planning visit

Then I hurried back home for the Unite for Sight conference in New Haven
and a day later, ran off to California to translate for my Paraguay team who was visiting the Painted Turtle.

I ended the month at home in Idaho with my momma.

May

May brought reunions and my friend Tamar's wedding in upstate New York.

And then I was back to Vietnam, but to Hanoi this time, for a camp season with our team.

June

After several weeks in Vietnam, Rachael and I took a vacation to Luang Prabang, Laos.

I got home in time to celebrate my dear friend's birthday on Block Island, Rhode Island,

And then headed to York, Pennsyvania to my dear Rosa's wedding.

July

I celebrated the 4th of July in New Haven with dear friends

And then headed home to Idaho to celebrate my 10 Year High School Reunion - wow!

Then I spent a week on the Main Salmon with my parents.

I flew straight from Idaho to Cambodia for our camp season there.

August

August was full of Cambodia - camp, and then a quick visit to Angkor Wat before heading home.

September

Labor Day weekend I spent on a tour of dear friends - NYC with Mateo,

and DC to visit Elisa in her amazing new life there.

Then I headed to Paraguay for a work trip
On the way back from Paraguay, we stopped in Colombia to meet with potential new partners, and I got to see my dear friend Kate at her home in Bogota.