I quite literally trudged into 2013, lugging all of 2012 and the preceding years' baggage with me. My state of mind was suffocated by a whole lot of noise that I wasn’t sure where to put, and none of that noise felt like it was going to go peacefully.

And it didn’t. 2013 was loud, inside and out. I unpacked my life and faced each piece before deciding whether to move on, let go or just fucking live with it. But it’s taken me twenty-five years to figure out I need a balance of those choices. As much as I’d love to just let go of everything, life doesn’t work like that.

In 2012, I had perfected the Follow Through - I said something and then did it. Reality (among other things, body parts included) settled abruptly this year. Because once you start walking, you then need direction. So, where was I going?

Speeding back to New York. Trying the tasting menu. Uncorking wine bottles. Screaming into a lot of late night fights. Moving someone else into my house. Turning that house into a home. Learning that spontaneity isn’t always that bad. Crashing into concerts. Singing a little louder. Toasting champagne. Seeing new places. Pushing my toes into the sand. Cheering all three of my orange teams. Interrupting most culinary endeavors with dancing. Becoming part of another family. Making new friends, discovering the great in old ones. Noticing that little actions speak much louder than big words. Finding my voice. Telling myself the truth. And now, facing a blank page to conquer it.

2013 became a balance — that I had to create for me — of passion on and off the clock, crazy nights and quiet afternoons, some romance and some tough love, what I want and what I need, enough sleep to quell the stress, enough exercise to enjoy dessert, and as many hellos as goodbyes.

Goodbye 2013, hello 2014.