2011

Today is the last day of 2011, and so I'm looking back on the year and reflecting on everything has has happened.

This year has been amazing in many ways, though it has also been incredibly difficult.

I started off the year as a probationary deputy defender, still in training and still learning how to do my job.  Though I finished my probationary training period in February, this year constantly presented new professional challenges and experiences.  I argued my first case in the Court of Appeals.  I filed my first Petition for Review in the Oregon Supreme Court.  I won my first case.  I won my second case!  I lost a few, too.  I am finally feeling like I have settled into my job and, happily enough, I love the work more and more as I go along.

This was a year of personal accomplishments, too.  I ran my second half marathon, and with the help of my running buddy, ran it in under 2 hours.  I ran my first marathon, in just shy of 5 hours, and it was a wonderful and harrowing day for me.  I ran as a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, and I ran the race in memory of my Uncle David, who passed away in September from lung cancer.

I spent many many hours on planes in 2011.  We went to Mexico in April and had a lovely lovely beach vacation which involved doing absolutely nothing.  Later in the summer, I flew home to Colorado for my sister's bridal shower.  Then I went to Maryland to visit my uncle.  And then, Colorado again, for my sister's wedding, then Wisconsin for my cousin's wedding, and finally, back to Colorado for a high altitude Christmas with my family.

In 2012, I am looking forward to more running adventures, more time with good friends, slightly less travel.

Many thanks to my wonderful friends and family for all your support and encouragement this year; you are the best.