One year ago today, I started this blog in an attempt to alleviate some boredom from my final semester of college (where I was consequently taking ONE class.)

Let’s have a look back, shall we?

February 2008
I immediately explained StyHand’s name. Em and I puppy sat a dog more energetic than Lucy. On assignment, a kid told me he was (kinda) related to Mike Huckabee. A strange older man approached the boy and me at our Valentine’s Day dinner. I explained why Em and I were the perfect roommates. I learned all kinds of things about equine dentistry. I wrote a letter to Louisiana’s weather.

March 2008
I wrote a list of things I wish I knew before I went to college. Reconstructive surgery was performed on our living room floor. I talked about my prom date and his peculiar way of inviting me to the dance. I saw a simple needlepoint note hanging inside a restaurant that made my day. I confessed my love for strawberry beer. We attended the St. Patty’s Day parade. My mother came to Louisiana for Easter weekend, and we had a wonderful time. I talked about exes. The air conditioning went out.

April 2008
The AC was fixed. I explained why photography changed my perspective. The boy’s roommates had a crawfish boil. My mother’s dog chaperoned the boy and me when we visited Memphis. I decided that I didn’t want to grow up. An e-mail from my ‘Ridiculous’ folder was revisited. I turned in my final article and finished college.

May 2008
A kid I used to work with (who was always making fun of my musical taste) told me he now likes Rilo Kiley. I went on a day trip to my new home. My heart broke while visiting local animal shelters. I got hit my a baseball. The boy made his first guest appearance while we were packing my room. I disappeared for a while and updated y’all with a lot of things, including the new job, the move, graduation, etc. My mother visited to help me settle in. My new job wore my out, and I made a list of essentials I needed to gather that weekend.

June 2008
My pinky toenail fell off. I had a conversation with my mother about European gifts. I quickly learned there is no (good) sushi in my town. Children begged to be photographed, so I wrote a letter. I spent the weekend with my boy in Louisiana. I visited the allergist and learned my allergies. The boy returned to StyHand and coined the phrase. I set the record straight. I explained the beach beach, love love, and other double words my family hearts saying. A bumble bee crashed into my eye. I saw a beautiful pup online, went to meet her, and she didn’t want anything to do with me.

July 2008
The boy and I discussed pup names. I shared my embarassing first kiss story with the Internet. I visited the beach beach with the boy and his family and then  summarized it. I wrote a letter to J.K. Rowling. I apologized to the beautiful pup from earlier and asked her if I could adopt her. I reminisced about my camp counselor days after spending a day at a local camp. I introduced Lucy Belle to the world and divulged her loves. The boy met Lucy Belle and shared photos. A summer’s rain took me back to my childhood.

August 2008
I offered crazy happenings in an update post. I spent too much time at a beauty pageant and was puzzled by one chick’s Q&A session. I visited my boy in Nashville. Lucy welcomed me back home. I was confused one too many times for something I wasn’t. My boy and I celebrated our one year anniversary. A carnie gave me a hard time while photographing at the fair. Lucy Belle flipped out because of a Sonic cup. I finished the final HP. The boy answered y’alls questions. Hurricane Gustav threatened my town and Louisiana.

September 2008
We made it through Gustav, and there was a horrible miscommunication. Lucy doesn’t like Barack Obama or John McCain. I drew a line about politics and what I would listen to. Lucy Belle and I traveled to another small Mississippi town to visit Krys and Mack. LSU faced off against Auburn, and I remembered an interesting conversation. I reaffirmed that I don’t think before I speak. I celebrated my 24th birthday.

October 2008
I met an imposter journalist. Lucy and Mack played a lot. My father joined facebook. I learned I am the Joey Potter of the photo department. Lucy Belle and I started obedience school. We had a tick scare. I wanted a Cappuccino XXL. I learned Mississippi men just love me. I vlogged. Lucy ate my lease. I remembered the previous Halloween and how much fun we had.

November 2008
I counted down the days ’til the end of the month. I worked election day and was honored to capture history. My job showed me how fragile life is multiple times. I visited Nashville and was compared to a mythical creature. Heather watched Lucy while I was in Tennessee and sent photos. I confessed my love for the Music City. I shared photographic evidence that prove my job is awesome. I remembered post-it noting someone’s car. I experienced the most awkward conversation of my life. Lucy Belle turned one.

December 2008
I explained Thanksgiving weekend. Lucy Belle had tummy issues, came home and then went back to the vet. My (failed) high school prank was revealed. I bought this domain. I shared some of Lucy’s quirks while I missed her. It snowed in South Mississippi. The Universe sent me a friendly reminder. I overheard the best conversation at work. Lucy Belle returned! The boy made yet another guest appearance. Christmas wasn’t too terribly dramatic. I was asked about marriage and engagements one too many times.

January 2009
I shared my resolutions. My friend N and I had a wild weekend during NOLA NYE 20o7. I was blown away when I learned I was nominated for a 20SB Bootleg Award. I remembered the Ice Storm of ’94. I requested a new book series to love. I received a smack in the face from life. I spent time at a boxing match. I got tired but was counting down days to Nashville (where I am now.)

It’s been a good year, no? I have had a lot of fun, and that’s what matters. The bonus is that many of y’all have been on this journey with me since close to the start.

I know this next year is going to be even better.