The Siberian American: A Year in Review: 2015 Highlights (Part One)

Monday, December 28, 2015

A Year in Review: 2015 Highlights (Part One)

What a difference a year makes. This time last year we had no idea where we were going to be living, and here we are, nearly seven months into our year in Chicago. Even with all the stress, 2015 was a great year. 2015 was also the first full year that I blogged, which made it so much easier to look back on what we did this year than when I did last year’s year in review.

January
We kicked off the new year by going on a Caribbean cruise to Honduras, Belize, and Mexico. Although I missed celebrating New Year’s Eve Russian style, it was so fun to celebrate on the Emerald Princess. I also loved waking up on January 1 in Belize and starting the year off by going on an adventure. It was a trip Christopher and I needed after months of residency interviews.


February
We spent most of February waiting for March to arrive, but it was still a fun month. We went to see Odysseo, which was created by one of the founders of Cirque du Soleil but also includes horses. We also got our first taste of winter weather for the year with a few ice days.


March
March was the month we had been waiting for since the beginning of medical school. It started off with a massive amount of snow (for Texas) and constant thoughts about Match Day. Match Day finally arrived, and it took me a while to process God’s plan for us. All I can say now is I should have never doubted those results because we are exactly where we need to be right now.


After the stress of Match Day, we needed to get away, so Christopher and I took a seven-day road trip from San Diego to San Francisco to celebrate the end of medical school. It was definitely the right trip at the right time, and one of these days I will get around to finishing the recaps!


April 
In April, I visited Chicago for the first time ever to find a place to live. It was such a frustrating experience, but thankfully, everything worked out. It really helped me to feel better about the move after I saw the beautiful city.

May 
May was one of the hardest months of the year. We spent most of the month preparing to move, and I had a hard time coming to terms with leaving my job. That is still the hardest part of living here—I miss my wonderful job and amazing coworkers.

The best part of May was Christopher’s medical school graduation. I was so proud to see him walk that stage and officially become a doctor!


June 
We moved to Chicago on June 1, and I instantly fell in love. We had a week before Christopher started intern year, so we spent as much time as we could exploring.It was so crazy how quickly Chicago started to feel like home.


Come back on Wednesday for the second half of 2015! 

15 comments:

  1. A cruise sounds like the perfect way to bring in the New Year! I love your sparkly dress too! It's definitely crazy how different a year can be as far as weather is concerned! We broke all sorts of records this Christmas because it was so hot! I can't imagine leaving my job and home to go somewhere completely different for a year, but I know that y'all are loving Chicago now and enjoying the experience of living somewhere new! I can't wait to hear all about the second half of 2015!

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  2. You have had such a full year! I remember you writing about struggling so much with the move, and it's so encouraging to see how it all worked out for the best!

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  3. loved reading about your year in review highlights! here's to making 2016 even better.

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  4. wow, so much done this year!!! Spectacular!! This looks like one with more adventure than usual and you'll probably reflect on it forever.

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  5. I love the dress you wore for NYE last year - it's so perfect! I love how much you guys travel - even small trips make a difference! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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  6. You've had quite the year! Dang! I love that dress you wore on the cruise, very cute. :)

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  7. ahh so fun! i love having the blog to help me remember what i did haha. 2015 was definitely an eventful year for you all, i'm so glad Chicago worked out in the end. Can't wait to see what 2016 brings for you!

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  8. I'm so glad your move to Chicago turned out so well! I'm excited for the recap of the rest of the year!

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  9. The dress in your January picture, you are gorgeous!

    That San Diego trip looks beautiful, but I hear it's a beautiful place ,I've never actually been though.

    I've just really started following so I'll have to come back and follow up on your move and everything.

    liz @ sundays with sophie

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  10. Sounds like a very exciting first half of the year!

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  11. You had a busy first half of the year. I'd love to wake up at the beach in January for New Years. My boyfriend and I need to make a resolution to go on a cruise sooner rather than later! Looking forward to your second half recap.

    Kaitlyn @ Kaitlyn-Danielle.blogspot.com

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  12. What a great year for you! I LOVE that sequin dress on you!

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  13. You definitely had a great first half of the year! How gorgeous are you in that sparkly dress? Can't wait to see what 2016 has in store for you! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes

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  14. Loved following along with your journey in Chicago. And look at the fabulous trips you guys have been on this year, LOVING that sparkly dress you rocked on your New Year's cruise <3

    Green Fashionista

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  15. What a great start to your year! Reading about your trips makes me want to plan a vacation! :)

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