This time last year I was married.

I was 281 pounds.

Deep down, I was miserable.

I knew my life had to change.

We got a Wii.

I started exercising.

I started hiking.

I’ve lost over 60 pounds.

In May, I left my marriage.

By August, our divorce was final.

 

I’ve traveled quite a bit since May, all in the US and all in the Eastern coast/South.

I’ve met some awesome people from Twitter & the blogosphere in person. I’ve reconnected with old friends. I’ve made new friends.

I’ve seen places I never thought I’d see in person. I’ve done things I never imagined myself doing.

 

I visited the Lorton Workhouse just outside of D.C., where Alice Paul and other suffragists were sentenced to serve time after protesting outside the White House.

I spent some time in the Quantico National Cemetery. God Bless our military, especially the fallen Marines and their mourning families. Thank you for your sacrifice.

I hung out in Norfolk, VA at the beach after Hurricane Irene stumbled through and destroyed a few things.

I’ve driven through tornado damage and wept.

I live tweeted the Republican Debate from Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC.

I hiked (a lot) in Nashville, TN. Even got lost and had to be rescued by my brother.

I hiked in Virginia too. Not as much as in Nashville, but I went and did it by myself and was okay with not finishing. Know your limits, people.

Speaking of going by yourself, I attended the annual lighting of the Christmas Tree in Roanoke, VA by myself. Went to the Taubman Art Museum that night too.

I survived 15 minutes of Go-Karting at Virginia International Raceway without wrecking or going off track.

I ate pizza in New Jersey for the first time in over 20 years. I cried.

I sat in the Village Vanguard in NYC, drank wine, and listened to amazing jazz with a hilarious new friend last week. In a dress smaller than any dress I’ve worn since the mid 90’s.

I visited Ground Zero and was filled with awe and peace as I walked around the memorial pools, staring at the names of all the Americans lost on 9/11/2001.

I ate lunch at Veselka’s (you know, where Norah eats in the middle of the night in Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist).

I realized the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Plaza is MUCH smaller in real life. And how crowded it is there in December. (Related – I will NEVER complain about crowds again.)

I’ve discovered I love traveling by train and absolutely must do this more often.

 

But more importantly, I found something these past few months.

I found confidence. I found my passion for life hadn’t completely disappeared, it just went on vacation.

I smiled until it hurt. I smiled because I was smiling until it hurt.

I laughed. I cried. Sometimes I laughed until I cried. Sometimes I just cried. A lot.

More than anything though?

I dove into the depths of the waters well beyond my comfort zone without hesitation.

I’m still here.

I can do anything.

I believe in ME.

If 2011 taught me all of this, I cannot WAIT to see what 2012 has in store for me.