In the tradition of end of year retrospectives, I have decided to share the highlights from the last 12 months of my life.

Since it is the age of social media and intimate relationships are built through technology, I am going to assume that you want to read about my personal journey.

In sitting down to write this, I realized just how life changing 2013 was for me. Among the most significant was becoming an orphan with the passing of my father in February (My mother died two years earlier), realizing that about half of my life is over as I turned 40 in June, and deciding to go spend 6 months reconnecting with the country that birthed me.

We'll get back to these major milestones. Let me first tell you about a few less emotional events.

POLITICS

In January, I attend the inauguration of my boss, President Barack Obama. This was joyous for a lot of reasons, particularly because it meant that I, and thousands of other political appointees, did not join the unemployment line on January 1st if we had lost the election.

One of the highlights of the second term for me was organizing a Caribbean-American Heritage Month event and briefing at the White House in June. Special thanks again to White House staffer Heather Foster for her support. This was one of the many gratifying experiences of the first half of the year.

I also had the wonderful opportunity to be a guest during two intimate events with powerful DC women - A conversation with Senior Advisor to the President Valerie Jarrett at the White House and dinner with Donna Brazile at her home. Shout out to Melanie Roussell and Ashley Etienne for their efforts to promote the next generation of African American female political leaders.

I am passionate about public service and how one can change lives through policy. Seven years ago, I ran for City Council in DC. While I have not written off the idea of running again, before I contemplate a career in office I want to be married to have someone to share that heavy load. Unfortunately, 2013 included the end of a promising relationship with a great man.

LIGHTHEARTED

A few other noteworthy occurrences include:

• Participating in Howard University's Alumni on the Hill activities to connect and leverage Bisons in Washington.
• Taking swimming lessons (still a work in progress).
• Seeing the new instalments of two movie franchises I love - Star Trek Into Darkness & Fast and Furious 6 (Am I a bad person? My first thought when I learned of Paul Walker's death was, 'what does that mean for F/F 7?' Shame on me).
• Transitioning to MAC has been interesting (I miss the right click). Hats off to the millennias at the Genius Bar in Georgetown who patiently explain elementary functions that they probably learned as preteens.

HEAVY

Now, back to the life changing stuff.

Even though I was not close with my father, his passing made me realize just how short life is and prompted me to come to terms with the fact that I don't have all the time in the world as I thought when I was younger. Turning 40 meant letting go of some dreams and embracing new ones. I celebrated in Vegas, colored my hair for the first time (Why didn't I do it sooner?), and decided to take having a baby off the table (At 40, any man I marry will likely have children).

I have to make the next 40+ years count, which means making some tough choices.

AYITI

When it came to Haiti, my thought was if not now, then when? I was actually looking at moving to Chicago but somehow I ended up in Haiti instead.

The last 5 months have been eye awakening. I now understand my parents a lot more with this bird's eye view of Haitian customs, traditions, and familial relations. I must say that I also understand myself a bit more too, now that I've been able to face a few childhood issues head on.

And it has been comforting to look at the faces of women on the streets and seeing myself, my mother, and my niece. It is a sense of belonging that is hard to put into words.

But that connection has come at a cost. My romantic image of Haiti has been replaced with a keen understanding of the stark realities that have made it difficult for the small nation to fully realize its destiny.

Still, it has been an emotional journey with some excitement along the way. Here's a quick rundown.

ADVENTURE

I have lived in 3 different places in 5 months trying to find a sanctuary with hot water and few mosquitoes.

I am now up on some of the local musicians, like Klass, Mikaben, and Nu Look.

A friend and I crashed a traditional voodoo ceremony. Oddly, it was similar to a Black southern Baptist church service.

Teaching marketing workshops at Quisqueya University's Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation has been very rewarding. And writing the articles allowed me to explore dynamic and diverse towns and cities in the various regions. I was able to hear from locals during small town halls and community meetings.

And there is no longer a doubt in my mind that I am a city girl. Up to now mountains, bugs, animals, dirt, and farms existed in distant lands, like the Midwest. In Haiti, this is my daily reality. On the bright side, I am no longer deathly afraid of heights.

As a reprieve, I did squeeze in a few DC trips for some city living, including one to co-host a fabulous Haitian women's brunch at the Embassy of Haiti.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

A big priority for these six months has been to better understand economic development in Haiti in contrast to the 4 years as part of President Obama's economic team at the U.S. Department of Commerce.

There have been many take aways. I'll share a few.

Planning for the Future

My interest in Haiti's economy has always been long term - How do we now position the country for job growth in 10 and 20 years?

I am sure this is the vision for many but the challenges to ensuring continuity of government and an environment wired with emergencies and immediate needs make it difficult to be forward thinking and visionary.

To a large extent, Haiti is stuck in time and needs a jolt.

Entrepreneurs not Innovators

I suppose Haitians are natural entrepreneurs because of the constant hustle to make ends meet. But they are not risk takers and do not venture outside of the box. This is a huge barrier to innovation that requires attention.

Producers not Consumers

Without a middle class, and quite frankly jobs, Haiti is not a nation of consumers. But it can build a producing economy with major, nation-wide investment in workforce training. Imagine the potential for increasing exports and foreign direct investment. Equipping the masses with the skills and trades training to do the jobs of the future has to become a greater priority as leaders seeks to attract multinational companies to locate in Haiti.

Haiti's Millennia Generation

I have not seen the census data to substantiate this but it commonly known in Haiti that 70% of the population is under 35 years old and 60% are under 25. If this is true, then the millennias are the hope for sustainable, long term economic prosperity. But they are not being prepared to compete with their peers globally. My recommendation is to focus on technology and energy to put them on the path to identify the solutions critically needed in Haiti and to lead the nation into the future (at least the 20th century).

LOOK AHEAD

As I bid farewell to yet another year of my life, I can't help wonder where I go next. Of course I have a plan (focused on the tech and energy sectors) but my vision for 2013 never included living in Haiti. So my 2014 blueprint will be written in pencil.

While this is corny and sentimental, these words from Whitney Houston's song Step by Step speaks to my outlook:

There's a bridge and there's a river that I still must cross

As I'm going on my journey

Oh, I might be lost

And there's a road I have to follow, a place I have to go

Well no-one told me just how to get there

But when I get there I'll know.

So bring on 2014...as they say in Haiti, si dieu veut (If it is God's will)!