Thank you so much to everyone who has followed my blog over this year. Though I don’t really post in hopes of receiving hundreds of views, I’m really pleased with the overall reception. This year has been truly a blessing despite some moments of despair and unhappiness. Through each moment of darkness I had amazing support from my family and friends to guide me back to a brighter place and I just can’t thank you enough. Without further ado, here are my top 10 moments of 2013:
1. My first weekend in London and all 14 after
To keep this brief, spending 4 months in London was by far a dream come true. To this day I still think, “how was this real?” Over the semester I visited 15 cities in 7 different countries, saw dozens of shows, attended different sporting events and drank hard cider until I couldn’t drink it any more. Although it was sad to leave I cannot wait until the day I am reunited with the city that still has my heart.
2. Trip to Cambridge on Valentines Day
On Valentine’s Day I spent the afternoon alone wondering around Cambridge, UK. Although that sounds super depressing, it was actually incredibly refreshing to be out of the city and see another spectacular British town. In the evening right before my train “home,” I attended a church service at Kings College and heard the elegant voices of the young men’s choir.
3. Birthday weekend in Salzburg, Austria
After major 21st birthday celebration in London with friends, I hopped on plane to Salzburg, Austria, where they filmed my favorite movie, The Sound of Music. On Saturday I experienced the world of the Von Trapps in a new way by walking through some of the movie’s top film locations. The sights were breath taking and the food was marvelous. Not even a hangover, a lost iPhone or a little bit of snow could have ruined this trip.
4. Advertising Week Europe
While taking the tube one afternoon I saw an ad for the first ever Advertising Week Europe. Everything about that week was magical. I learned so much about advertising and the industry in Europe. The experience was wondering and hope that one day I could go back and attend the event again. (For more about my experience check out my Top 7 Take-Aways Blog Post)
5. Moving to Boston for my dream internship
When I got back from London I wasn’t sure what my summer was going to be like. I had no internship lined up yet and hadn’t spent more than 2 weeks at home since 2011. Within a few weeks the offer from Mullen in Boston arrived and I was foolish to even consider turning it down. So I moved to Boston for 11 amazing weeks. One of the best days of my summer was when I was talking to the Mullen CEO, Joe Grimaldi, about One Direction and he asked if I was British.
6. Porchfest
There is nothing more Ithaca than Porchfest. In a nutshell it’s a town-wide music festival in which local musicians perform on porches around Ithaca. Sadly this year was my very first and probably my last Porchfest. As sad as I am that I’ve only enjoyed one Porchfest, I’m so happy I did and I got to spend it with my wonderful friends.
7. Last Creative Crunch (as a student)
When I was a freshman I helped put together the very first Creative Crunch, an advertising competition hosted by the Ithaca College chapter of the American Advertising Federation. Since then I have either been a project manager, the president or studying abroad, preventing me from participating in the competition. For for the first time in like 3 years I was able to participate in the competition and compete with my talented friends. With hard work and outstanding teamwork we were able to clench 2nd place and I couldn’t have been prouder. We nailed it!
8. Cortaca
This had to be on the list for this was probably one of the most fun days I’ve had. Even though we lost the football game for the 4th year in a row, I was surrounded by the people I love as we “enthusiastically” cheered on the Bombers.
9. Semi Formal
This was the first dance I had attended since my semi formal my freshman year of high school. Even though the weather was miserable I truly enjoyed being all dolled up and surrounded by so many people I care about making what was probably one of my last memories to make as an IC student.
10. Graduation
There is no better way to end the year than graduate college a semester early magnum cum laude and with job plans in the works. I know I couldn’t have done it with all the truly amazing family and friends who have supported me along the way.
As you could see 2013 was quite spectacular and 2014 has giant shoes to fill, but boy am I excited to tackle this year head on. I will forever look back on 2013 with fond memories as I have the years before it. I can’t help but get excited just thinking about the memories I will make this up coming year. Thanks to everyone who made 2013 so fantastic, I hope/know you will remain in my life in this next year and the years beyond.
Marissa Osowsky 