Randomness with Rachel: A Look Back at 2017

When you are home sick on New Year's Eve, what else is there to do but write a blog post recapping 2017, so here I am.

2017 brought new friends and reconnected old friendships. There were some challenges at my work, but we got through them. I had some low moments, but for the most part, 2017 was a good year.

2017 brought many travel adventures for me. I went on my first cruise and used my passport for the first time, visiting Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica. I finally fulfilled my lifelong dream of swimming with a dolphin!

I crossed four states off my States to Visit list (Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Minnesota).

I finally made it to Washington D.C.!

I took a short weekend trip to Atlanta where I went to a Braves game, wore a Dr Pepper shirt to the Coca-Cola museum, went to the home of Margaret Mitchell, visited the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, and ate at the original Chick Fil-A. All in under 24 hours.

I visited two more presidential libraries, LBJ and Jimmy Carter.

I attended games at three ballparks I had never been too.

I had a great birthday dinner at Norma's Cafe where they set up the room especially for me, and provided Rangers balloons. :)

I flew all the way to Minneapolis so my friends and I could get a Prince Purple Rain umbrella.

I was able to see friends I hadn't seen in years as well as friends that I don't get to see as often as I would like.

I was able to (safely) see the solar eclipse.

I attended many baseball games in 2017 (shocker).

2017 was the year I met my favorite actor of all time, Dick Van Dyke. There were other celebrities and sports figures who had the pleasure of meeting me in 2017 as well. :)

I got to meet up with some of my awesome Twitter friends.

My friends and I enjoyed concerts, musicals, movies, museums, sporting events, Six Flags, State Fair of Texas, dinners, lunches, game nights, and just hanging out with each other. I don't know where I would be without these wonderful people!