Sometimes I get stuck in the day-to-day grind; so much so that I tend to forget about everything that has happened in the year. But if take a step back and reflect on the highlights of 2014, I can't help but be proud of the growth and goals I've accomplished. So much has happened this year--there have been some tough times personally--but somehow my judo and professional career have both continued to improve. I think we all need to take a step back and reflect (more often than once per year...woops!) on all of the positive things that have been and continue to happen in our lives. I think if I had done this earlier in the year, I would have had a more realistic and positive outlook in 2014. (Food for thought for 2015...) So, without further ado I give to you (the short version of) my year:
January:
February:
March:
May:
June:
July:
August:
September:
November:
- sponsored by Milady, Cengage Learning
- visited Africa for the first time
- competed in my first IJF/world cup tournament
February:
- I became an aunt again!
March:
- invited to compete in the prestigious New York Open Championships Team Tournament, hosted by the New York Athletic Club
- debuted on the National Ranking Roster at 48kg
- won my first 48kg gold medal at a USA Judo tournament
May:
- won my first medal at the USA Judo Senior National Championships (in the elite division)
- became single
- received a grant from Michigan Judo Development Association via the Elizabeth Spaeth Women’s Judo Grant Program
June:
- honored as one of Vermont Peanut Butter’s “Pro Team Members”
- visited El Salvador for the first time
- won my first match at an IJF tournament/World Cup
- debuted on the World Ranking List at 48kg
- won my first medal at an international tournament
July:
- visited Chile for the first time
August:
- moved
September:
- received the Women’s Sports Foundation, “Travel & Training Fund”
- moved again
- promoted to black belt
November:
- got promoted to Associate Marketing Manager at my job
- visited Australia for the first time
- won my first IJF tournament/World Cup medal
- broke into the top 3 in the nation (48kg)
- broke into the top 100 in the world (48kg)
Phew! Long, tiring, exciting year 2014 has been. Here's hoping 2015 is even better! Take time to reflect on everything positive that has happen throughout your year. If you do this, I'm pretty sure you'll give yourself a new perspective on how your year ACTUALLY went! :) Wishing you all a Happy Holidays and a very healthy and prosperous New Year!