What a Day to be Alive: 2013 Year in Review in Photos- PLACES

Looking back through my photos of the past year, from my "real" camera and those taken on my iPhone and posted to Instagram, I realized that I've done some serious traveling this year. In 2013 alone I visited: Ireland (with a brief layover in Paris), Minnesota, Seattle, Madison Wisconsin, Atlanta, Peoria, Arizona, Baltimore, Chicago, New Jersey, Manhattan, Long Island, Boston, the seacoast of New Hampshire, Chicago, Cleveland Ohio, Ireland, Amsterdam and San Diego.

It's amazing how you don't remember what happens throughout the year. When I went back through my list of photos to see all the places I'd been, I had forgotten about a few of the trips I took. Which is another wonderful benefit of taking photos all the time- you're forced to remember where you've been and what you've done.

I realize how fortunate I am. I know many people don't get to travel at all. So the fact that I was able to take 12 different trips this past year makes me feel more fortunate and grateful than when I first started this post.

As if it weren't enough to be able to travel to so many beautiful places and get to create such wonderful memories with new and old friends and reconnect with my family, I get to call Santa Monica home. I'm surrounded by palm trees, the ocean, gorgeous sunsets and am close to beautiful nature all around me. And while I spend a lot of time wishing I were other places, I recognize that I am truly blessed to live here.

Here's a look back with one photo for each month of the places I've experienced in 2013.