The Year, in review

As previously penned (or typed) my 25th year was grand, it was big, and it was full of significant events. With my birthday rapidly approaching I have spent much time in thought and reflection of the last year of my life. Here are some of the things I've been remembering:

Just two days before my 25th birthday last year I started a new job at Salomon USA leaving Backcountry.com behind. Many hours were spent questioning this move but I have since come to love my job and enjoy the work I do.

Having moved only 4 days prior, started a job 2 days prior, and leaving all of my friends in Salt Lake...my 25th birthday sucked. I must give credit to the roommates who were brand new at the time, they did make me dinner but my birthday has always been about a week-long celebration and having loads of fun. Last year there was nobody to celebrate with and nobody who appreciated my lengthy traditions. This year's celebrations will fill the void where last year was lacking. Not to worry.

Three weeks after my birthday last year, as September neared it's end, I learned that Kara had again been plagued by cancer. Two weeks later I flew to Iowa for a week to spend time with her. I will be forever grateful that I went and for that time together. A short time later we lost Kara. In her honor I am commited to helping other victims of this tragic disease.

While driving through the night across the country the idea was born for a cross-country cycling tour to raise money and awareness for the cause of Breast Cancer. This has become my goal, vision, and life purpose.

Christmas this year was spent in Iowa...for the first time in 7 years I was there for the holiday. I missed skiing on Christmas day, I think that's more my style.

2009 came in with a big bang...a night out proved to be more than I could handle. After skiing was the Shooting Star in Huntville where I polished off a pitcher by myself. Next, the Sandtrap and too many combinations of mixed drinks. Before long my tummy was angry and my head was spinning...I swear it was that Irish Car Bomb, but Jonna thinks it was the Jolly Rancher.

In January Casey had baby Gavin.

February was a bit of a blur...mostly a lot of skiing was done and there were a lot of deep powder turns.

The last weekend in February as temeratures rose and snow melted to an icky consistency, we (Lynn and I) conjured up an impromptu trip to Southern Utah. For the weekend we played in St. George and left the less than desireable ski conditions behind. I wrote about this trip upon my return. It was quite possibly the best thing that happened to me this year. It gave me a new energy that set many new life improvements into motion.

In March Jaymee and I ventured to Iowa to see the new little dude.

In April the ski season ended and I took a VERY fun trip to Moab. Jaymee, Jonna, and I made the short trip to my favorite place in all the world. We arrived late on Friday night and I woke early Saturday morning all too excited to sleep. I took a bike ride at 6am and watched the sun rise. I spent the rest of Saturday riding my bike through Arches National Park. Sunday we spent time with Jaymee's brother Cory and his family. They are a laugh a minute. In the afternoon when everyone else had left for the north, we set out for more Moab adventure. We hiked Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch having so much fun that we didn't set out for home until late in the evening. That was a fun trip.

The first week of May I participated in the Landmark Forum. This forum truly changed my life. I can't begin to explain it but it works and it is valuable.

Memorial Day weekend was a blast with Julie and Craig in town. Rainy weather cancelled our outdoor adventures so we drank a lot and ate a lot instead, it was so much fun!

June 6th I rode a century on my bike. This experience was full of firsts for me. It was the first time I had ever ridden 100 miles, my first group/organized ride. My first breast cancer fundraiser....

Also in June, I had my wisdom teeth removed. Yuk and I'm glad that's over with!

I tripped in front of all of my coworkers and the CFO of Amer Sports as I was entering a very serious and tense meeting, in a lifetime I will never live that down!

I got to spend the 4th of July with loved ones in Cincinnati. It was the highlight of my summer.

The year was good, a lot has happened and I have grown tremendously which only makes me excited for what is in store this year.

...and that was a year in the life of Brooke.