The Best of 2010

"So long as the memory of certain beloved friends lives in my heart, I shall say that life is good." Helen Keller

2010 was a rough year for many, myself included, but with the hardships and stress came great memories made with good friends.  So forget all the negative things that stressed you out over the last year and remember all of the fun times spent with old and new friends. Here's just a few of my memories of the past year and some of my favorite images:

January

Rang in the New Year laughing with old friends 
Stood next to my one of my best friends as she married her honey (nut), Cheerio
Accepted a job with ALARM Sudan as their Director of Communications and Resource Mobilization

February
Moved to Kenya
Reacquainted myself with my long lost love, Nakumatt

March
Joined NES and made new friends in Nairobi
Learned to cook chapati

Visited Juba and Yei, Southern Sudan
Saw the Nile for the first time
Sudan held presidential elections

April
Met the women of ALARM Kenya's micro finance group
Learned how to drive a golf ball 

May
Celebrated Cinco de Mayo Cuban/African style
Survived the Toe Massacre 2010
Pet an elephant
De-stressed in Cairo with pal, Brittany Gonzalez
Walked like an Egyptian at the Pyramids of Giza
Wandered through the Egyptian Museum
Rode a camel

June
Resigned from ALARM
Learned to love international football (soccer to my American friends) by watching many, many World Cup matches

July
Celebrated the big 3-0
Learned how to play beer pong
Watched the Great Migration from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara
Had an never ending adventure at Lake Magadi

August
Hiked Mount Longonot
Kenya held a referendum and voted to accept the new constitution
Toured Hell's Gate and hiked the gorge
Visited Amani ya Juu's Nairobi location and met the women working on the project
Relaxed at the coast in Mombasa and Diani

September
Finally saw a Kenyan monkey
Toured Kazuri's facilities and learned how they are working to help local Kenyan women and their families
Fed a giraffe
Discovered natural beauty inside Nairobi at the Arboretum

October
Returned to Dallas
Ate corny dogs and drank Big Red on tap at the Texas State Fair with the always awesome Cagle family
Attended the first of many "Thursday is the new Friday" happy hours
Hosted a sale to introduce Amani ya Juu products to friends and family and raise support for the organization

November
Accepted a new job with GHARP-KRA as their Fundraising Officer
Glammed it up at the Margarita Ball with my favorite arm candy
Celebrated Thanksgiving with family

December
Spread Christmas cheer at numerous holiday get-togethers and festivities
Enjoyed Christmas at home
Partied it up in style at Fashion Institute Gallery's NYE bash