Farewell, 2010.

2010 was a year filled with awesome and awful - some of the best times of my life and some of the worst. I know I say this a lot, but I am so blessed to have the friends and family I do and I am so thankful for all of the wonderful I have been given. So, without further ado, I give to you… my loyal readers (Hi Mom and Dad!) my favorite moments from two-thousand-and-ten.

Soundset.
I spent the day V.I.P. with my best friends. We walked, we rapped, we got buck wild. Best part of the day? After a rainy and gloomy day, as Slug starts ‘Sunshine’, the sun comes up… so rad. Also? M-e-t-h-o-d MAN and Redman. My life changed that day, for sure.

Walk for a cure.
One day while walking out of my gym, I saw a flyer for a Diabetes walk. One of my best friends in the whole world had just been diagnosed months earlier and I decided it was fate. The walk was filled with laughs and good conversation; it was a beautiful, perfect morning. We raised $500 for Diabetes, and just as important, I was able support a cause that affects my friend daily. In a situation where I can’t do much to help – I got to show my support.

Vikings vs Packers.
My first Vikings game ever – against Green Bay. Chilly’s last game with the team, I got to see my boyfriend Jared sack Aaron Rodgers and best of all, I went with my family. Even though we lost (to put it mildly) it was still an incredibly memorable day.

Nugget Number Five.
Anyone who knows me knows I am borderline obsessed with my nieces and nephews. They are my life. I was so thrilled to be blessed with a new baby nugget, Aubrey, in August. Now I have five – Kylie Anne, Noah, Brooklyn, Jackson, and baby Aubrey. I am so lucky to get to hang out with these kids. And my big brother is the best Dad in the entire world (Ok, ok… a tie with my own Dad) and I am so proud of him and my sister-in-law Angie – they give everything they have to their kids and it shines through in each of the nuggies personalities.

Snowpocalypse.
This weekend was both equal parts awesome and awful. However, I will probably never experience a snowstorm like that again - in the heart of Minneapolis, walking through the streets of Uptown, seeing giant snow piles and helping people get un-stuck. I did not just survive the Snowpocalypse, I kicked its ass.

What's the big Eyedea?
Losing my friend Micheal was so devastating. The tributes/memorials/benefits in his memory were all very special and unique. Honey was particularly memorable because it was just a few days after his death and everyone was still so raw to it. You could very literally feel Mike in the room – the emotion was so incredible - it was written on every single persons face. I will never forget the way I felt that night, standing in the middle of huddles of people, screaming Eyedea and Abilities lyrics with tears streaming down my face. It gives me chills just thinking about it. Rest in peace, Mikey, I miss you every day.

Working 9-5.
As much as I hate sitting in an office all day, I must say – I love my job. I have never been someone who loved their job, but this job is different. I started at the bottom (the very bottom) and worked my ass off to get to where I am today. I am good at what I do. People count on me. My ideas and opinions are important. Plus, my job provides the means for me to pursue other loves in my life… win.

Missi Monday.
One of my best friends and I use Mondays as our day to reconnect, have fun, and appreciate one another. He and I have had some struggles finding the balance of our friendship – but this year has provided many opportunities to get it right. He is a constant in my life - a source of comfort, wisdom, strength, and laughter. In May, he dealt me one of the scariest situations I have ever had to face. I will never forget the details of those few days; the way he looked, the way the hospital smelled, that feeling of guilt and terror. Now he is doing tremendously well at kicking ass/taking names and I am so, so proud of him. Here is to many, many more ‘Missi Mondays’. (First Date. ITunes. Cop it)

Whats a hookah?
If you have never had the pleasure of meeting Sir Ali ‘Egypto Knuckles’ – I urge you to run, not walk, to Yafa on Central. He will be the dude off to the side surrounded by people, iPhone on the table in front of him, laughing and fist bumping like its going out of style. The most genuine, heartfelt man I have ever had the pleasure of calling my friend. It is a privilege to know him. Hookah provides the unwind to a tough workweek, a brainstorm session when you are stuck in a rut, and a cheer up if things are not going right. But, sisha is just sisha. It is Ali’s company that makes Hookah Friday one of the best things in my life.

Weckerfest 2010.
I sit on the deck, with the sun in my eyes, a large jug of iced tea resting firmly in my lap and although the noise is evidence my extended family has very much arrived, I find peace and comfort in the week that is Weckerfest…easily my favorite time of year. This year was particularly awesome as my mother reignited my passion for White Zinfandel. It is family fun - which with your family could be lame, but with mine? Incredible.

Breakup/Makeup.
This year was a tough one in the relationship department. Without getting into any sort of detail (this is, after all, the internet) I can just say that while some of these breakup/makeup moments are not necessarily “my favorites” I definitely learned a lot. A lot, a lot. And I am so glad (and surprised) I made it through the storm. I showed myself that I am a tough chick. Tougher than I ever imagined I would have to be. And without my amazing, awesome friends and family I just don’t know if I would have made ‘er to the other side. So – I guess... awful relationship troubles – 0 / Team Wick Whack -1.

One Night Stand in ya face.
Five years ago, I gave myself a rap name. This could be because I am a very intuitive person (really, I have great intuition and can read people like a book) or it could be an attempt to “fit in” better with my friends (who, I’d say, about 90% of which are either musicians or in the industry). In early November, one of my best friends and I decided to start a rap group and perform for our first time on New Years Eve. After calling in some favors, assuring people we are indeed serious, and auditioning (thanks, B) our wildest dreams came true… with a lot of hard work and tomfoolery – here we are. We are better than you would expect, sillier than you could ever imagine, and just as awesome as we normally are. I am so glad I’ve gotten to live out a dream with one of my best friends. She is one of the most ridiculous people I have ever met (in a good way) and has stuck by me through the thickest of the thick. Without her around, I would be less funny, well rested, and sober (maybe).

J. Cousineaus.
Who knew a small, local restaurant/bar could prove to be such a comfort? For a while, it was my home away from home. Three or four nights out of the week, you could find me sitting on the patio – cigarette in hand, friends in the chairs next to me, just trying to figure out my life – or at least make it to tomorrow. That tiny bar is filled with great memories, life long friendships, good wine, and a pretty spectacular jukebox selection. Plus – they have great tots.

I've been diagnosed. I've got that Bieber Fever.
I have a confession. My name is Missi, I am (just about) 25 years old, and I like Justin Bieber. And not in a creepy wait-till-he-is-legal kind of way, but in a hes-got-good-jamz kind of way. I took my 9-year-old niece to see him in concert in June and she had the time of her life. I am so thankful I was able to give her that experience. My sister did that for me when I was a pre-teen and they are some of the best memories I have. My niece is growing up so fast and I cherish every minute I get to spend with her – and to see her geek out the way I used to made it just as memorable for me as it was for her.

Girls Night Out!
Who knew a chilly Thursday evening could turn out to be so much fun? My mother, best friend Dee and I went to a breast cancer benefit and then had dinner. It may sound simple and insignificant but we had the best time! We laughed, talked, and just... hung out. I am very blessed to have a mother like mine. She is everything I ever hope to be and without her in my life I would not be as kind, generous, or as thoughtful as I try to be. Plus, my best friend Dee fits into my family so well…she is my sister and without her, my life would be a hell of a lot harder. Her love and support make it easier to be me.

Billy’s on Grand.
For those of you outside the know – St. Paul is my second favorite city (Minneapolis is my true love) and particularly Grand Avenue makes everything right in my world. There is nothing better than a summer afternoon spent on Billy’s patio drinking iced tea and watching the passersby as they shop or just bask in the sunshine. If you’d ever like to stalk me (which I definitely don’t condone) all you need to do is go to Billy’s on Grand, 9 times out of 10 you will probably see me sitting in the corner booth.

Honorable Mentions.
A boy named Justin comes to visit from Iowa. The Great MN Get Together x2. Detron. FroYo. Family Dinners in the Retro Apartments with the Mighty Ducks and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. KIM! Happy Hour at Green Mill – Uptown. Becks Birthday Weekend. Glee Tuesdays. Twins Game. Valentines Surprise.

Oh, hey 2011… bring it on.