Can you believe that its already 2016?!

Well it isn’t yet. It will be in approximately six hours. Its probably New Years for you now! Happy New Year!

As usual, treatment I’m doing my yearly recap. I love doing this. I love sharing the things that happened throughout my year but I also love to reflect back on it too. Because sometimes you can feel down, you can think…god, life sucks or whatever. Especially around the holidays, when you’re single lol and you’re working a lot and all of that. Its not easy. But doing this…it always makes me smile. Because look at this! I had an AMAZING year again. I visited new places, went on a road trip with my best friends, met a ton of authors, met new friends and published my very first novel.

Seriously, its just awesome.

So sit back, relax and enjoy all the things that were awesome for What A Nerd Girl Says this year!

January!

*****

Attended The DUFF press screening and met Robbie Amell

I was SO excited to be invited to such a cool thing. I loved this book and I was really excited to see the movie. I was especially excited to see Robbie Amell, who was there to meet and greet, because we all know he’s one of my biggest crushes!

Saw Foo Fighters Live in at Special Concert for Dave Grohl’s Birthday

This happened so randomly! A guy took me on a date, and we were SO close to the stage and there were all KINDS of super cool special guests and it was AMAZING!

Saw Saosin and Met Them for the First Time

I hadn’t seen this band in YEARS and I knew I had to go see them, especially with Anthony Green AND I saw them before the concert. I was front row, center, but hey, it was a blast!

Received my First Press Badge for a Convention

Okay, I’ve gotten press badges for Festival of Books and things like that, but this was my first major one and it was SUCH a cool thing to get. This convention was EXPENSIVE so I’m glad to get in as press!

Saw Our Last Night Again :)

I love these guys! I hadn’t had a chance to see them in quite awhile and they played a free show at a bar near me and so of course I went. Love love love these guys!

February!

*****

Went to Another Screening of The DUFF, and Met Robbie Amell and Mae Whitman!

This screening was even COOLER. It was done by Tumblr and there was a ton of free swag and free food and free drinks, and Mae and Robbie were there, and the theater was incredible. I loved loved loved it.

Went to Gallifrey One For the Third Time

Best weekend of the year ;)

And Met John Barrowman (again) and Eve Myles

Who were both super amazing people. They took TWO pictures with me, let me hug and fangirl all over them AND John Barrownman totally asked about my boobs. I call all of that a total win.

Taught My First Blog Class

It was so much fun! I still think I have no idea what to do when it comes to blogging, even after 3.5 years but hey, it was still fun! And I think I’d like to do it again sometime.

 Met Tahereh Mafi and Ransom Riggs…Again

I swear to god, they  must think I’m total stalkers haha. They both totally recognized me.

March!

*****

Met Matt Lanter While Hanging Out at Disneyland

Okay, I admit…I *might* have stalked him a little bit. I saw that he was at Disneyland so I wandered around for a bit and finally ran into him. And he was SUPER nice about taking a picture with me, so there’s that. I just have SUCH a crush on him lol.

Went to Galliday at Disneyland

This was SUCH a fun day. I got to meet a TON of new people and just had a blast. I loved this day so much, combing Disney and Doctor Who, two of the things I love most!

Saw Set It Off…Again

I love these boys so much. As per usual, they played an incredible show that night, and they introduced me to two bands I’ve been fairly obsessed with all year, Against the Current and As It Is.

And Took Some of Them to Disneyland…

I look so fangirled out in this picture…sweet jesus lol. But this was seriously an awesome experience and I had such a blast with these guys.

Had A Blast at the Ontario Teen Book Fest 2015

This still remains one of my favorite events of the year. I adore Courtney, I adore the Ontario Library, I adore all of these authors, both the ones I already knew and the new ones. I love being a part of it, its SUCH a fun experience. Plus I got this AWESOME bag and went to dinner with a bunch of cool authors and seriously just had a blast.

Hit Over 300K Views on the Blog!

Seriously, I’m so proud of my little blog and its small accomplishments. 300K views is nothing to sneeze at!

April!

*****

Went to WonderCon 2015

This was seriously the most random last minute thing. I hadn’t planned on going at all, didn’t have the time or money, not with everything else that was going on in April, but my friend, Katie, had an extra badge and gave it to me (she’s awesome) and so I went and had a total blast! I was glad to not have missed it!

Met My Fangirl Friend, Katie, From Atlanta for the First Time!

I have known Katie for…god, maybe almost three years now and I’m so stoked I finally got to meet her this year! She came to visit California and we went to Disneyland (see above) and partied hard at YALLWest and had a great time together that week. I hope she comes back to visit soon because she is SO awesome.

Went to the First YALLWest!

Seriously, YALLWest was SO much fun and I super do not want to miss out on going again. I”m already counting down the days to going again.

Libba Bray, author of SO many great books including A Great and Terrible Beauty, was AMAZING. I’ve been wanting to meet her for years so it was amazing to finally do so.

AGH. Met Richelle Mead for the first time AND was able to interview her. *flails* I had SO many books for her to sign and the limit was 3 but with my sister’s help, and some help from some nice strangers, I got them all signed!

Kass Morgan, who wrote The 100!

Who would have known when I met Victoria Aveyard that her book would easily become one of my absolute favorites of the entire year!

Me and my best friend, Alex, pretending we are going to be YA authors one day. Who knew it would be coming so soon for me!

Went to Star Wars Celebration WITH a Press Badge

I had SUCH an amazing time. A convention all about Star Wars? Yes, please. I heard from some people it wasn’t that good of a year but screw them, because I had such a blast. There was so much to do, and so many people there and I just had a blast. SUCH a great weekend.  I was sad when I heard the next one would be in London!

Read to Some Awesome People…

This started off as kind of a random idea and it actually came out AMAZING. I have SO many pictures like this and I’m really stoked how they came out because they’re just SO fun. I love them.

And Met Carrie Fisher and KISSED her!

Literally one of the best moments of my life, period. I adore Carrie Fisher, I love her to death, I think she’s the most bizarre but most badass person ever and I’ve had a crush on her since I was, like, five years old. She was so awesome, she talked about my boobs and she was totally down to let me kiss her lol.

Met Karen Hallion and Interviewed Her Too!

Karen Hallion is easily my favorite fan artist and she’s SO good and I love all of her work. Being able to hang out with her, and interview her and get her autograph was super cool!

Went to Star Wars Night at Angel Stadium!

SO much fun. Putting together my Angels and Star Wars? I was in heaven. And that Jedi Rally Monkey is the coolest thing ever. It was a huge reason I wanted to go in the first place. Now he’s in a special spot with the rest of my nerd stuff ;)

Hung Out with Some of the BEST People at Harry Potter Roller Skating Night!

Always SUCH a blast with my favorite Harry Potter people. I volunteered this year and I’m so glad I did. April wiped me out but I’m glad I coudl still go and have a blast!

May!

*****

Saw All Time Low for the First Time in 10 Years!

I love these guys so much and it had literally been a decade since seeing them! I hadn’t seen them since they played Warped Tour as a nobody band, for real, so this was bizarre and cool. I also saw Issues, which was a newer band to me at the time, and god I love them.

Met the band, Incubus!

This was seriously the most random thing ever. My friend Steph is a huge fan and invited me to go and I thought, meh, why not? And it ended up being totally fun. The cd was super cheap and the guys were SO insanely nice and I’m so glad I went!

Went on a HUGE Road Trip with My Best Friends And…

Saw the Grand Canyon for the First Time…

Seriously it looks so fake. It looks SO fake. But incredible. SUCH an amazing experience. I had driven over night and was exhausted but I am so glad that we saw this. SO worth it.

Visited the Slightly Disappointing Town of Roswell, New Mexico…

My theory? Either Roswell is really that boring OR you need to go during the day. Either way it was an uneventful trip to Roswell. Though I did a super cool purple shot glass. So there’s that…

Tried Waffle House for the First Time…

Waffle House = Love <3

Added Globe Life Park to my List of Baseball Parks…

Its my goal to visit all major league baseball parks and it was SUPER cool to see this one. Such a gorgeous stadium, and even though we couldn’t go inside, a lady was nice enough to escort us to the Nolan Ryan statue, which was AWESOME.

Had an EPIC Time with Author Tonya Kuper

I met Tonya through promoting her novel and LOVING her novel, and hanging out with her while in Texas was amazing! She was so nice and she fit into our little group without even a problem. We had yummy food and took her to Sprinkles for the first time and it was all very very epic!

Attended My First RT Convention And Met a TON of Amazing Authors

Including My Second Favorite Author, Tamora Pierce, and Cried…

Literally cried. I’ve been reading her since I was 16 and she’s easily one of my favorite authors, period, so meeting her was a dream come true. I died. DIED.

Victoria Scott, who wrote the Fire and Flood series and the Dante Walker series. She’s so awesome and told me my Pandora is a penguin. YES.

FINALLY met the awesome Jennifer L Armentrout! She was SO super tired and we barely got to talk and I was worried about that for awhile but I met her again that summer, and you can tell RT was just exhausting for her.

The lovely Kiera Cass, who took epic photo booth pictures with us. I can’t wait for the last book in her series!

Sara Raasch, whose novel, Snow Like Ashes, is absolutely INCREDIBLE. Seriously. BLEW my mind.

Finally met the amazing Cora Carmack who has been an incredible inspiration and also just a great friend. I adore her and her books so it felt SO good to finally meet her!

Laid Down in the Middle of the Road in Oklahoma…

We were planning on driving to the Four Corners and we realized it wouldn’t take us that far from Oklahoma…so we added another state to our list! And Oklahoma? Totally gorgeous.

Saw the house from Breaking Bad…

We saw it at like…2 or 3 am so it was hard to get pictures without being totally rude but we were driving through New Mexico, I realized where it was and I knew I had to stop.

Added Chase Field to My List of Baseball Parks…

YES. Another baseball park added to the list. I didn’t get to see as much of this one as I did in Texas but still a super cool stadium. And I discovered the baseball passport book there, so that was super cool too :)

And Had an All Around Amazing Time

Somehow I fit this all into a suitcase and into the trunk of a car…

Celebrated What A Nerd Girl Say’s Third Birthday!

My blog turned 3! Isn’t that insane! Its crazy because I’m not that far away from it turning 4 and that sort of blows my mind! This little blog just keeps chugging along and I love it.

Met Captain America and Thor

Both very handsome and fabulous men ;)

June!

*****

Got My 14th Tattoo!

I am so in love with it. That was six months ago and I love it so much. Its so big and perfect and John at Classic Tattoo is amazing and the line work is SO great. And its just one more way for me to show my love for the Mortal Instruments series.

Bought Super Cool Coke Bottles for Zoey and Ash

Because I’m a total loser lol. But it wasn’t like I was going to find them in the stores randomly so I decided to just buy them anyway!

Saw Our Last Night Again…

I really stalked these guys this year. Seriously. Its so bad lol. But they were having a free pop shop and acoustic show to celebrate the release of their new album and it was in Downtown Disney so I HAD to go and it was a TON of fun seeing my boys again.

July!

*****

Became Part of the SUPER Cool Percy Pack!

I was approached by Big Honcho Media to help celebrate the 10th anniversary of Percy Jackson, the release of Greek Heroes and the release of Magnus Chase and it was SUCH a blast. I got all kinds of exclusive swag, and Magnus Chase before anyone else and I had a blast revisiting the Percy world that I love so so much.

Went Back to Comic Con for the First Time in 5 Years!

I was very anti-Comic Con for a very long time. Last time I went it was so crowded and overwhelming and I couldn’t handle it. But going back with my best friend, Alex, who loves it and taking it easy and slow…I had a blast. I definitely want to try and go again.

Went to LoveNVegas 2015

This time around, JLA wasn’t tired, she LOVED my shirt (which is from her novel Be with Me) and she was the sweetest. When I told her how her novel Scorched helped me to get the help I need for my own mental illness, she hugged me and told me I was brave. And that was really awesome and huge for me. She’s an awesome lady.

Yes! Met Jay Crownover who was AWESOME. She’s such a sassy lady and I adore her to bits. Plus she told me I was right for loving Jet so much, and that made me smile big time.

August!

*****

Visited the Charmed House!

I was with a ton of my friends and we were celebrating the 7 year anniversary of The Los Angeles Dumbledore’s Army when we found out that the Charmed house was only a few blocks away. I was in the middle of a rewatch of the series so I had to see it.

Went to Europe…Sort Of…

My best friend Cassie went on an epic trip around Europe and since we couldn’t go along with her, she took Flat ASS (Alex, Sylvia and Sara…we are so mature) with her. Europe? Pretty great, guys. ;)

September!

*****

Finished My First New Adult Novel, Benched!

I was SO proud of finishing this! I hadn’t finished a novel in SO long, and I was feeling discouraged enough by all the rejection from The Awakened. This book has been a work in progress for YEARS. I’ve stopped it and started it and rewrote it and changed the names and changed the story and just had a roller coaster time with it. It felt good to finally finish it!

Got my First Foul Ball Ever

I have been going to baseball games pretty consistently since I was 6 months old. I am a HUGE Angels fan, and I have never gone home with a game used ball. Ever. So this was seriously SO freakin cool!

Met Andrew Smith for the Millionth Time Again

This time was a really awesome time, though they are always great times. But it felt different, like he was a friend, and he even called me his friend. And Stand-Off was just so so so so good.

Went to Long Beach Comic Con And…

Got another press badge for this!

Met Lindsey McKeon

She was SO sweet and nice and we got to pose with a replica of “Baby” from Supernatural…which is also signed by a huge chunk of the cast.

Saw My Good Friend Cecil Castellucci

I absolutely loved her new book all about Princess Leia and a special mission. It was seriously just the coolest thing ever. Cecil is such a nice lady, and I really enjoyed this book! Plus it got me even more excited for The Force Awakens.

Participated in the Los Angeles Dumbledores Army #OwlsForJKRowling Photo Shoot!

My Harry Potter group, the LADA, is participating in this sort of virtual/social media thing called Owls For JK Rowling…thanking JK Rowling for the things she and Harry Potter did. The LADA did their own photo shoot with it, and it felt very weird and very awkward but it was super cool

Met My Fangirl Girl Friend, Lindsey, From Michigan for the First Time!

I was so stoked to meet Lindsey! We’ve been friends for many years and its hard to meet people when they live all the way in Michigan! But she was coming to California and visiting Disneyland so we met up, had dinner and talked for ages! I adore Lindsey! I’m so glad she came out here to visit!

Met Aaron Hartzler Again!

Aaron is an amazing author and an amazing person and I’m glad I got to say hello to him again. He wrote an incredible book this year and he’s just a fun person. He even gave me a huge hug and congrats for getting my own book published, which was still a secret at this point haha.

Met Nicola Yoon!

I still haven’t read this book. I know, I know. But I’ve heard so many good things about it and I plan on reading it soon, I promise. But as soon as I saw Nicola was at Aaron’s signing, I immediately purchased the book and chased her down for an autograph. She was SO SO SO nice.

Signed My VERY First Publishing Contract!

Literally one of the most surreal days of my life. Seriously. Signing this contract with Benjamin and OfTomes…best day ever. It was all my hard work finally coming to fruition. Such an amazing feeling to finally send it off.

October!

*****

Saw my dear friend Leigh Bardugo for Six of Crows

This was a super fun day! Got my Six of Crows signed, and my dad came with me and he had a fun time and we tried Roscoes Chicken and Waffles for the first time and it was just a great day. Plus she called me a fellow published author and that KILLED me, in a good way :)

Met Stephanie Meyer for the First Time

When I heard they were doing an anniversary edition of Twilight and that Stephenie Meyer was doing a tour for it and coming to LA…I knew I had to be there. I have never met her before! Isn’t that insane? And I”m really glad I did because she was actually super super super nice. And now I have a copy of Twilight signed!

And Mr Jake Abel…

And her moderator for the panel was Jake Abel, who played a character in the movie adaptation of her book, The Host. I adore Jake and I pictured him as Liam the whole time I was writing The Awakened so it was super cool to meet him.

Revealed the Cover for THE AWAKENED

Isn’t this the coolest thing ever? I mean, this was a month ago and I’m still sort of blown away by this. This is MY book cover? And as soon as I got a full HD photo of it, I bought myself a phone cover because that’s so totally my life. And I love that phone case.

Got my 15th Tattoo!

One of the very first things I did after I got a new job and was finally making money again was get a new tattoo. Some people might call that irresponsible or whatever but it was something I needed. After a few rough months, I felt like this quote was always something to get me through the rough days. So I kept pushing forward. And I love this tattoo on my arm, especially since its in my own handwriting.

Went to Comikaze Expo!

Got a press badge again! It feels good to get those press badges. And I had a blast hanging out with my friend, Sean, and visiting all the fan artists and all of that. I was sad because I missed Jim Cummings while I was there but I seriously had a good time.

Celebrated Fangirl Halloween with my Best Friends :)

We had a fun time, drank and ate and gave each other gifts and it was a seriously awesome time :) I was quite spoiled by my friends!

November!

*****

Saw Bryce Avary aka The Rocket Summer for the first time in 10 years!

My sister invited me to go see The Rocket Summer and I was so excited! I hadn’t seen him since I was about 16 or 17 so it was awesome to see him again and awesome to spend time with my sister. I especially liked that we basically the exact same conversation we had when I met him years ago.

Got my Hands on My First Copies of THE AWAKENED

I cried. I laughed. I hugged them. I stared at them. I still stare at them. It doesn’t seem real at all! Its so bizarre! But it felt good to hold some tangible proof that I wrote this book and that its out there, and in the hands of others!

Got My First Blurb from a Famous Author

I am SO insanely grateful to Lindsay Cummings for blurbing The Awakened and being the first author ever to do so for me. It meant the world to me. AND its just plain awesome!

December!

*****

Released My Debut Novel

Probably the very best thing that happened to me all year. I’m not lying. I had an incredible year and it ended with my book being published? That’s incredible! That’s an amazing thing and literally a dream come true.

And Trended on Twitter for 12 Hours!

WHAT? How did this even happen!

Got My 16th Tattoo!

To celebrate the fact that I had finally gotten published, I got my 16th and most recent tattoo….the date of my first published book, in roman numerals, on my arm. I am SO insanely in love with it, John always does an amazing job and its one I’ve been thinking about for years so I’m glad I finally got to do it!

Had my Very First Launch Party!

This was one of the most surreal things I’ve ever done. I’ve been on the other side of the table a thousand times. Been to a million book signings. It felt so weird and also so incredible to be doing it myself. So many people came and we sold out of books and it was just absolutely AMAZING. I’m seriously so happy at how it all turned out.

Saw Our Last Night…For the Third Time…This Year…

I swear guys, I don’t stalk them. I don’t…To be fair, they are a local band so they play around here a lot and I’m definitely going to take advantage of that!

Celebrated THE AWAKENED with Belle

I had finally gotten to Disneyland since The Awakened had been published and one of the big things I wanted to do was see Belle and take a picture of her with my book because how cool is that? And I finally was able to do that!

Saw Star Wars: The Force Awakens 4 times (and counting…)

I don’t care what anyone says. I had an amazing time watching The Force Awakens. I’ve seen it four times and I absolutely love it and I want to keep seeing it. Its fabulous! I love Rey and BB8 and I love Kylo Ren (even when he’s emo) and I love Finn and POE and I love General Organa (Leia!!) and I just loved it all. It was SO SO good to me.

Had an Epicly Nerdy Christmas

I was VERY spoiled this Christmas, both by my sister (who had me for Secret Santa) and my mom. It was a VERY themed Christmas, so it would seem, with all the Ironman stuff but I think my Captain America loving sister is just trying to get me ready for Civil War ;)

*********

I hope you all had a wonderful year and I wish you an insanely Happy New Year and I hope that your 2016 is full of many amazing, awesome things!