Photo recap of 2011

I know it's a bit early for the annual self-reflections to start, but here's my 2011 recapped via photos:

 Studying for the bar exam. This consumed my life from December 2010-February 22, 2011.

My boyfriend and I broke up the last night of the February bar exam. My heart was smashed. I'm still recovering from the emotional repercussions (yay for emotional unavailability!).

The biggest benefit to moving to CA after law school? Getting to spend lots of time with my adorable nieces and nephews. 

Monday afternoon champagne to celebrate my 26th birthday, with my LA best friend, Sarah. She made my birthday really special. There's an embarrassing video of me riding a mechanical bull on facebook to prove it.

 My best friend Noah came to visit me in LA this year. We spent a fun week eating delicious food, seeing several movies, and reading Team of Rivals out loud to each other. I miss him. =(

One of the benefits of living in Los Angeles? Getting to see some of your favorite actors spending a Sunday afternoon just hanging out at the bar (that's Jason Segel).

 In April, I traveled to Denver, CO for the first time, to attend the 13th annual ABA Section of Dispute Resolution's spring conference. SHU Law made it to the national competition for the second year in a row! This is a photo from an amazing used book store I found and desperately did not want to leave.

 Other favorite things about LA? Jasmine and Jacaranda season! Nothing helps heal a broken heart more than the intoxicating scent of jasmine on fresh air...

... passing the CA bar exam also helped with the broken heart tremendously.

In 2011, I also started running again-- an activity I had not regularly done since high school cross country and spring track. My mom went out on my first run with me. We did not make it very far.

I kept up the running though for a good 3-4 months, enjoying beautiful scenes like these ones above.

 

In 2011, I attended a few musical and culturally-southern CA activities, including a show at the El Rey Theater with Sarah, watching Butch Cassidy and the Sun Dance kid with Kareem, attending Doheny Days Summer Music Festival to see Cake, attending my first Kings hockey game (go Devils!), lots of karaoke nights and seeing Gavin Degraw, David Cook, and Carolina Liars down in Pamona!

 I took my first trip to Vegas with friends-- it was fantastic!

 I attended several mediation and healthcare law events with the LA County Bar Association and took a few courses at the Urban Craft Center in Santa Monica.

 I went to several parties and events sponsored by St. Mary's, including their annual gala and holiday party.

 And finally, officially getting sworn in as an attorney in CA!

This year has been very challenging but a lot of great stuff has come out of it. I can't wait for 2012-- I know it's going to be my greatest year!