December 31, 2012

What a difference a year makes.

Dillion and Maggie have inspired me to do a year-in-the-review post.  The last year I did this was 2009, my first full year blogging on Blogger.

The first few months were fairly boring.  On New Year's Day itself, I lamented a terrible New Year's Eve due to attending a party like an outcast.  Fortunately, the rest of January redeemed that one night.  I read and cried over The Fault In Our Stars.  I reflected on impressions.  I played Super Smash Bros., ate good food, and hung out with friends.

I only blogged once in February.  Varsity tennis had consumed my life, and not in a good way.  In March, I caught you guys up on what I did in February.  I wrote an open letter to the month because during it I was gifted my lovely MacBook pro.  Most interestingly, I suppose, I dissected The Hunger Games fandom.

Over the course of April I got to see tremendous growth.  I successfully did BEDA (Blog Every Day in April/August) for the second consecutive year, even though I'm sure there were some days I didn't want to write.  But I learned to accept failure, saw my last high school musical, dealt with a frustrating Physics teacher, got addicted to Tiny Tower, celebrated Earth Day, and did various end-of-the-year and senior related activities, including putting my hands on the wall at school.

May was full of milestones.  I graduated high school and very shortly after had my first kiss.  I wouldn't be done taking exams until mid-June, but I still supported Brianna's garage sale and had lunch with Patricia.  Patricia and I remarked about the months ahead of us and wrote in each others' yearbooks for the last time.  In order to experience a lot of firsts, we had to experience an equal number of lasts.

June brought more adventures with friends.  We saw Brave.  We ate pizza and exchanged graduation gifts.  We just generally shared awesome times together before we went our separate ways for college in the fall.  By the end of June, I had exhausted my free Netflix trial and I reviewed everything I saw.

The days blended into the next month -- as they often do during the summer -- and soon enough it was July.  I restarted my 365 photography project after an unsuccessful attempt last year.  I finally edited footage from my trip to the Twin Cities last year and made two videos.  And I sent out a lot of blogger family snail mail.  I ended July by honestly giving my two cents about waiting to go to college.

August was eventful.  Once again I participated in BEDA.  Considering I was also on the verge of beginning college 1,000 miles away, it may have been a helpful distraction.  Friends were leaving practically every other day but I was determined to still make the most of my free time.  For instance, I held a garage sale with Brianna, this time selling my own unwanted clothes and jewelry and ultimately earned $90.  We plan to have another one this coming January and it should be a lot of fun.  Other notable accomplishments:  I finished the common reading for my college.  I made a Summer 2012 soundtrack.  I got an iPhone.  I learned my AICE test results and could thus completely put high school behind me.

After an extended summer, I started my first semester of college and loved it. I didn't blog much in September, and when I did, it became a massive struggle to already recall all my crazy, awesome adventures in college.

October began with a prose/poetry entry discussing yet more outings.  I experienced an incredibly a girly moment as I spent time with a cute guy and recalled how I spent my 18th birthday.  Last, but not least, I planned what I'd do during my Fall Break.  I would also have a fantastic fall break and attend my first concert ever but not write about it until mid-November.

Midterms mostly dictated my life, so I had an epic-and-probably-way-too-long recap post about what I'd done at the end of October and beginning of November.  Which evidently was a lot.  I came home for Thanksgiving break and realized I have a new home in St. Paul that I was missing, despite only being away for the four days.  Upon going back I had to register for classes and had one of the most awful days until I received an unexpected and anonymous compliment.

December came and went.  The first two weeks marked a final push as I worked hard to end my first semester of college on a positive note.  I came home missing all the friends I'd made, things I'd learned and growing I'd sustained and, in attempts to fill a void, was instantly drawn to see friends from high school.  Then it was suddenly the holidays so my brothers came home, good food was eaten, and gifts were given.

And now I sit on childhood bed, glamorously snacking on dehydrated pears as I write this and get a chance to reflect on just how substantial 2012 has been.  This year has demanded a lot from me, but I was definitely eager for the challenge.

Here's to an awesome 2013!

December 29, 2012

We'll play at three-Kirby.

Time is starting to pick up again because for a while there it was crawling.  Then I would stay up late into the morning wrapping presents or browsing the Internet (cough mindlessly refreshing tumblr cough) and sleeping into the afternoon.  This is unhealthy and I plan to change my habit in the new year.

Christmas came and went in a blur.  More than previous years, I was aware of the preparation for it.  I wrapped my fair share of presents -- namely all of them except my own and ones from grandparents -- and am glad to give that a rest.  I just had to do a few more last night since close friends and I had our gift exchange today and now I can be DONE...until I wrap my roommates' gifts.  Oh my goodness, I can't wait to give them theirs.

The pictured orange rolls are divine and a Christmas morning tradition.

The other picture shows off various gifts from my stocking including gingerbread marshmallows, green nail polish, Revlon lip butter in Tutti Fruitti, stickers, two scarves, a pretty handmade bracelet and iTunes gift cards. 

My largest gift otherwise was a John Green box set.  I realized it's not signed because I sent my mom the wrong link.  Oh well.  Now I shall make it my mission to meet John Green himself and have said copies autographed in person.  That experience is much cooler.  I mean, I met Garrison Keillor this fall at a bookstore a two minute walk from campus and he signed a book for my mom.  That was pretty darn cool.  

My Secret Santa Blogger Family ornament swap was from Maggie.  She got me the most adorable dinosaur and made a great Christmas mix cd.  Thank you again!  I really love it.

Talk to you again tomorrow!

Days until the new year: 3

December 24, 2012

Almost Christmas.

I have quite a few blog posts planned for the remainder of the year.  I know, I know.  It's unusual, but shoot, maybe it's a Christmas miracle?

On Saturday I met up for lunch with Emilia.  She got to dish all the latest hometown/high school gossip and I dispelled secrets of college.  (Well, sort of.)  I am easily reminded of how small a town I live in when, despite sitting in the corner of World Market, we still run into someone we know.  I am glad she is doing well although ready to leave.  I was the same way this time last year.  Except I already knew where I was going and she has to wait until February to see if she got accepted to UF.  I'm fairly confident she did.

We also exchanged gifts before we ate.  She gave me a mix cd (I love love LOVE getting new music) and then two awesome nail polishes from Urban Outfitters.  One smells like peppermint and I'm wearing it right now.  If this was a proper beauty/fashion blog I would show you a picture.  In return, I gave her the sticker-fied mix cd (above), some Dove dark chocolate and the reindeer felt bag this was all inside.
After catching up with Emilia, I grabbed frozen yogurt with Puja and Regina.  (The best kind of froyo? Organic eggnog + a shit ton of toppings.) Aniesa's flight from Canada got in late so she couldn't join us.    Sad face!  Fortunately we have plans to exchange gifts and hang out later this week.  I should probably finish making her gift soon...
It was enjoyable as always to be with my friends.  Once we cracked a familiar joke, we realized we revert and regress into our "old" selves.  Seriously, no time could have passed.  But frankly we're not "new," either.  Just...different?

I have to write fast because I am about to go to McDonald's for dinner.  It's a family tradition to go every Christmas Eve (and in current years, it's basically the only time we go all year -- we know it's unhealthy otherwise.) It all started when my parents were practically dirt poor and continues today because, well, that's how tradition works.

Then, with the last few presents to wrap and movies to watch, my Christmas Eve will be complete.

Merry Christmas!

Days until the new year: 7

December 19, 2012

Now my life is sweet like cinnamon.

If I'm honest, I miss college.  I miss Minnesota.  I miss my new friends.  And I've only been home in Florida without those awesome people for five days.  How will I survive until January 27th?

Since being home, I saw a few friends.  Regina informed me about her college experiences and I relayed mine, including my crazy story from a night in downtown Minneapolis that I never posted to the internet but might make it into my memoir someday.  (Which reminds me, I still need to read Let's Pretend This Never Happened.)  Regina said she's going to Puerto Rico during spring break and I am mighty jealous.  I don't even know if I'll be coming home.  Plane tickets are expensive.

Simaya, Brianna and I went to Goodwill on Monday.  I bought a copy of The Sims for $5.  Unfortunately, I can't seem to load it.  Might have to recruit my brother to figure it out.  Also, my MacBook suffered a slight dent after it got knocked off the table (albeit in its case) in airport security.  I suppose it has character now and is otherwise fully functional...except I definitely want it fixed. #firstworldproblems

I haven't done a whole lot this break so far.  I have been wrapping presents and putting up Christmas lights, though.  I'm also debating about getting Netflix so I can watch lots and lots of movies.  Ideally, I'd learn to knit.

But for now I'm off to the dentist to deal with a problem I've had since August.

Good luck to anyone with remaining finals and Happy Holidays to all!

Days until the new year: 13

December 12, 2012

The home stretch.

My roommates and I are hosting an informal get together of friends tonight.  Emily leaves tomorrow and we wanted a chance to properly celebrate the holidays, but also say goodbye.  Winter break, combined with January term, is a very long time.  I mean, it's practically half of summer vacation!  There's no doubt I will miss everyone here and the adventures just waiting to happen.

Alright, now I should go eat lunch, keep tackling my paper, and ace my Spanish oral interview.  Talk to you soon.

Currently listening:


Days until Winter Break: 3

December 09, 2012

Let it snow.

Living in Florida my whole life, I just accepted I'd never have a White Christmas. It was as big a myth as Santa Claus himself.  And growing up, I suppose it never occur to me I'd ever live somewhere with this awesome precipitation.

So, yes, I was happy to wake up this morning and see a snowy blanket covering everything in sight.
This is the glorious view from my bed.
I haven't been outside much today besides walking to and from the cafeteria for brunch.  On the way there, Zoe informed me her favorite snow-related activity is eating it.  (Don't believe me?  See the picture.)  I figure I'll have plenty of other time during the week to play in it.  Time when I won't be writing my final Texts & Power paper.  On the way back, Zoe made a snowman with friends and snapped the picture of me that proves to all my friends back home it's cold here.  Most importantly, I made plans to have a snowball fight with Austin.  He is going to get destroyed.


Fortunately my finals aren't that stressful.  I finished my English project a whole week before it was due.  Now just Spanish (easy) and Texts and Power.  I swear once I'm done with this eight page paper I'll be blissful.  And then I'll be done with my first semester of college.

Days until Winter Break: 6