First of all: It's 2012! Yay! Because, let me tell you...
As freaking awesome as 2011 started out... most of it was filled with some of the most rough experiences I've ever had. Hope no one cares but... I refuse to elaborate on it. :)
I had this idea the other day to write a post of a list of things that I really loved about 2011 and the things that I really hated about 2011. Just to make it short, sweet and to the point.
I'll start with the negatives first (ha!) so we can end on a positive note shall we?
2011 Downs:
1. The alienation that happens when one undergoes Student Teaching. We understand that university life is busy, but we didn't fall off the face of the earth either.
2. Gossip. Oh, how us young adults think we know EVERYTHING!
3. The DRIVE from Southern California to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by way of Allen, Texas. Seeing the grandparents made it WORTH it... but not necessarily a highlight.
4. My car accident and my little run-in with it's alternator.
5. The changes in my family dynamics.
6. I can't trust everyone. Lesson learned. But also, I can't live my life with an inherent distrust of other human beings.
7. I used to think I could tell anything to my friends. My friendships, quite honestly, have grown more complicated in the last year than I ever wanted.
8. The disappointments. Big and small. By December, and even now, I can hardly cope with the small ones.
9. People talk. A lot.
10. My health from October - November.
2011 Ups:
1. My Sr. Recital. Was awesome, if I say so myself. I let some of my friends "dress me up" (shout out to Kelsie Stapley) and I loved my repertoire, and I had a good night that night. *bows* thank you :)
2. Graduation. This is a complicated one if the truth be told. I am grateful for my degree, and I graduated with Honors, but... it lost some of it's zing. Too much crap, as mentioned above. But, on the much brighter side... wouldn't have wanted to graduate with any body else. I love you guys: Nicole, Mike, Brandon, Tana, Randy, Gerry! And the vocalists which my memory is fuzzy about... sorry :(
3. China. The production of the Helen Foster Snow Project was truly unforgettable. I can't imagine having gone with anyone other than (except perhaps, Coley :( ): Heather, Mike, Tashina, Lydia, and Joe. And of course, Dr. V, Dr. Bradshaw, and Xun Sun. I can't believe we spent almost the entire month of July in China, guys. Even now!
4. Student Teaching with Lauralyn Anderson! I was nervous about my student teaching, especially because I wasn't too familiar with Canyon View Middle School's program. But, I had a freaking blast and I got a wonderful friend out of it :) One who helped me through that time of living in Cedar. Really, without her I would've been much more of a wreck. And trust me, I was one.
6. Kelsie and Eric's wedding, although I was not present. And Candy's and Kris' wedding!
7. Brandon getting a job.
8. Moving, although this does not include to drive, to Pittsburgh.
9. Finding a new branch of our family tree :) Pellums!
While it's very obvious that 2011 had amazing moments, I am not sad to see it pass. Because, to be brutally honest... the rough patches have been very rough and long-living. The good stuff was really good, let me tell ya, but not enough to offset everything else.
Cheers to 2012. I have a good feeling about this....
