"let each new year find you a better man"

Be always at war with your vices,

at peace with your neighbors,

and let each new year find you a better man.

[Benjamin Franklin]

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Since my New Year's Eve won't look like this:

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...I'm going to be chilling at home with my mom (and dad by phone since he has to work!) in my PJ's. A nice relaxing beginning to the new year? That sounds amazing to me. I really hope 2012 follows suit on the amazing department.

Because, really?

2011 was pretty sweet.

I rounded out my two years living in Europe

(and, yes, miss it like crazy)

I went to:

- Madrid to eat

- Venice for Carnival

I presented a paper at a conference at Cambridge University,

then visited Dublin,

and London,

both with good friends!

I GRADUATED WITH MY MASTER'S DEGREE

(and realized I NEVER WROTE A POST ABOUT IT!

SILLY COURTNEY!)

I traveled to Poland and Prague with my family

(and still need to write about those too, oops!)

I worked at camp again.

And LOVED it.

I celebrated my 26th Birthday,

and recounted 26 lessons for 26 years.

I took an impromptu trip to Boulder, CO & Washington DC

Basically? 2011 was pretty cool to me,

and I hope it was to you too.

In closing:

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Keep those you love closer to you than ever.

Remind those you love that you love them often.

Have meaningful relationships.

Smile.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!