Carina Van Son, Age 26

A year in review:

This year I seemed to need a lot of attention, medical attention, that is. From a visit with the paramedics after fainting on 6th street, to straining my patella, and spraining my foot, I have seen my share of medical professionals, especially in the last six months. At the risk of not going out with a bang, I also ruptured a "huge hole" (actual doctor's words) in my eardrum a mere 4 days before year 26 ended. I am now about half deaf in one ear and waiting for things to heal. The doc said I "should" recover from this (how very reassuring). The story of how this happened just proves that while I may be one year older, I still remain none the wiser. My mom used to ask me "if everyone jumps off a bridge, will you do it too?" The answer, of course, is yes. During the Trailer girl's week, "everyone else" was jumping off the roof of the docks. Not to be outdone, I followed suit. Somehow the pressure in the water caused the rupture. I guess I can scratch off any future I may have dreamt of as an Olympic diver.

On a positive note, some highs of my year include:

• Managing not to move... I have now been in Austin for a year and counting (although we are still considering a new city, nothing has been decided yet)
• Investing in my very first collection of couture shoes and apparel (thanks to a hefty employee discount at Neimans)
• Lots of visits from friends and family to Austin
• Travel! I visited about 8 cities this year, including some new destinations like Louisville and Napa
• A good job that gives me creative freedom and autonomy (these days shouldn't I just be thankful for A job?)
• With the help of my left-brained boyfriend, I am making good strides to polish up my credit and inch my way out of debt (thanks Nick!)
• And speaking of boyfriends, I finally got to see mine on a daily basis this year. It required moving to Texas, but hey, we all have sacrifices we are willing to make ;)

My regrets at 26 are that I still haven't run my marathon (stupid knee)... although I continue to try and train, and I didn't make it "home" to LA. Both goals should be accomplished in the first few months of year 27, along with a possible triathlon. I am also looking forward to branching out on my own professionally and have some homework and research to accomplish for this dream to start becoming reality.

Here's to the next 12 months!