Best Part of 2014???

Commence the obligatory/clique New Years post (only two weeks after the new year started... no big deal). Or at least that's what it feels like.

But it is a new year and as this new year begins, I thought I might think back a little on this last year. I spent New Year's Eve with some friends and we sat by the fire, played catchphrase, did some karaoke, and just laughed and laughed. Before heading out to the party someone asked me what the best part of this last year was and I seriously had to stop and think about it for awhile. I couldn't for the life of me think of what good happened last year. Not that I am saying it was a terrible year and I'm glad to be rid of it. I think the worst thing that happened was losing my grandma last February, but that really was the biggest event that happened the entire year. Everything else, although mixed with good and bad was just sort of so-so.

What's worse is I can't for the life of me really remember what happened last year. How sad is that? Is my life that boring and pitifal that I can't recall the events of this last year? Forget trying to remember anything beyond that. I seriously sometimes wonder if my Alzheimers is kicking in already. Too soon? I know. Sorry.

So in an attempt to spark my brain and recall the happenings of this last year, I am going to make a list of stuff that happened. Good, bad, ugly, things I was thankful for, blessings, etc. Here's what I remember.

• My Grandma passed away. (the bad)
• My Grandma went to be with Jesus! (the good)
• I got a raise at work. (blessing. shoot, I almost forgot about that one)
• I started my Masters. (Finally)
• I moved into a new house with roommates that I know, love, and trust. (not that my last roommates were bad. Honestly, they were probably the best situation I could be in with absolute strangers. But there were just that. Strangers).
• I got an ipad. (I know... trivial right? but it is so nice to be able to read my textbooks and actual books on my ipad instead of my cell phone)
• I turned 27. (I don't want to talk about it)
• My closest friend and coworker got a new job. (this one was hard... still kinda is)
• I was blessed to find and get closer to two other coworkers. (honestly don't know if I would have made it this far through the year without them)
• I went to the Grand Canyon and nearly froze to death while camping with my mother. (still one of the best trips I have ever taken)
• I saw Ingrid Michaelson and Brandi Carlile twice (ok... Brandi might have been once with the other time the year before but like I said, my memory sucks and I am gonna say it happened last year sometime)
• I was "noticed" at work. (Now this is a big one for me. I am most definitely an introvert and am an ISFJ which means I love serving people and being behind the scenes. I work my ass off and don't really look for or expect any recognition. But then when I actually get it. When someone says, "Hey, I notice you and I appreciate what you do." or "Where would we be without you." or "I see you. You are not invisible even though you are perfectly comfortable being that way." When someone sees me. I can't even explain that feeling.)
• I started going to a new church that reminds me of what church is supposed to look like. 
• I went on a vacation completely by myself (it was a dream... no joke.
• I played beer pong, flip cup, kings cup, and way too many other drinking games that I have never played before in my life. (sorry mom and dad!)
• I read all of John Green's books (well... The ones he wrote himself... I'm a teenage girl... I know)
• I cried probably more than a normal person should. (Usually because of fictional characters). 
• I laughed harder than I thought was humanly possible.

I know there was WAY WAY more that happened last year, but I am tapped out. So to answer the question that I couldn't answer before, "What was the best part of 2014 for me?" All of it. The whole thing. The good, the bad, and the ugly.