Like the rings in a tree trunk, which tell the tree’s yearly story of draughts, heavy rains and freezes, for me the last weekend of January is typically the benchmark of how the year will turn out. For better or worse, this science has worked for years.
Four years ago, 2006, I spent the last weekend of January with my then “boyfriend” in San Francisco, enjoying wine tasting at the yearly Zinfandel Fest. I use the term “boyfriend” loosely as we had technically broken up at least 25 times over the previous 3 years, but were never able to finally call it quits. That last weekend in January however, we finally threw in the towel. After dating off and on for 6 years, we, both of us, had had enough. And while devastated, my dad promised me I wouldn’t regret the decision in a year’s time. He couldn’t have been more right…that year was spent having fun with my friends and finally doing what I wanted to.
While I don’t exactly remember what I was doing the last weekend of January 2007, I can say, with 95% certainty, that I was face down in a bar somewhere in the marina - out with good friends and loving my single SF life. It only a mere two weeks later that I got auctioned off for Valentine’s Day and got the job offer to move to Switzerland….but before I left, the year was marked with plenty of bars and a lot of fond, but hazy memories.
The last weekend in January 2008, I spent skiing the Alps, the first time I had been on skis in over 15 years and according to my blog, I loved it! The remainder of the year turned out to be one of my most sporty years - running, swimming and wakeboarding all summer.
In 2009, I spent the weekend with close girlfriends in Venice, partying until 4am and then coming home to coors light and roses from Martin. 2009 marked the year of me falling in love and reconnecting with old and new friends.
And this year, 2010, the infamous weekend was spent with Martin, in San Francisco. After 7 months of long distance, we have now found a way to make it work, even during busy season and even if it meant 30 hours of flying for just two nights (funny, considering I used to think a $20 cab ride or 15 minute walk was long distance and therefore out of the question). His visit was amazing and hopefully the sign of good things to come for the upcoming year…tree rings don’t fail me now.
