2017

Ahhhhh, here we are.

The very end of the year.

I had forgotten I did these "year in reviews" until Isaac reminded me of it.  And then I went through and found that I wrote not one, not two, but three posts for 2016. 2016 was an incredible year - it was fun and unpredictable, and full of new experiences. And 2017 was not like that. It involved a lot of transition, a lot of heart ache, a lot of uncertainty, but a lot of good memories as well.

Given how long it's taking me to get anything done these days, I am certain that I will not have three posts this year. But anyways, here we go right?

Notable Firsts:
Last year was ridiculously eventful. So this list is noticeably shorter.

• Attending an IU Basketball game
• Visiting the Smoky Mountains, Big Bend
• Graduating college
• Getting a savings plan
• Getting a 401k
• Living in Houston
• Furnishing a living room
• Surviving a flood
• Watching a baseball game
• Watching the Astros win the World Series
• Learning to throw a football
• Visiting NYC, South Korea, Singapore
• 1 year anniversary
• Watching the full Nutcracker

Memorable Moments:

• Design work for CLD
• IU Basketball shenanigans with Molly
• More fun, baking, and k-dramas with Allison and Ru in TT614
• Birthday surprises from the roomies
• Starting fires and watching sunsets at the Lake Monroe Cutouts with the Old Folks
• Freezing in the beautiful Smoky Mountains with the Navs
• One last spring with flower photos in Indiana
• Graduations and farewells :(
• Reunions with Singaporean exchange friends
• Climbing the mountains of Korea and Taiwan
• Eating in Asia
• Dumpling parties and getting to know a new small group
• Watching the Astros win the World Series
• More dates, coffee shops, and arts with Isaac
• Weekends at home

Photos:
Can you believe we did not take a full family photo this entire year except for my graduation, and I don't even have that photo on file?! Also - I have not taken any proper photos with my roommate or small group. Truly tragic.

More photos from my year here.

 

Something crazy:
I guess I fulfilled my promise to 1) have a grand senior trip when I graduated and burn through my internship money and 2) visit my lovely friends in Singapore !! Looking back I'm not sure how I was so bold to book flights and travel all the way to Asia by myself, but what a great experience it was.

Things I've learned:

• Asian food is amazing and I must return again to have bibimbap in the open air markets, Hainan chicken and laksa, and lu ruo fan. yuuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmmm.
• Everywhere is beautiful. The mountains in Texas look a bit like the ones in Scotland, and the greenery in Singapore is a bit like the forestry in Taiwan. I like to think that God wanted everyone to be able to see His glory in creation.
• College is such a precious treasure of time and friendships. Please, oh please don't squander it, my youngin friends. 
• Working life is hard. And keeping the faith is hard too. There's a lot that college doesn't prepare you for. And there's a lot you need God for.

Things I'm looking forward to:

• Flag football! Strangely enough - but I think it'll be fun to commit to an actual team sport for the first time since.....ever.
•  Life in Houston. I am ready to enjoy this city, and these people, and I'm done with moping around about how much working life sucks and how few vacation days I have. Today, will be a wonderful day.
• That's all I have for now. I have a lot of goals this year though, and I'm excited to complete them. I have time and resources and won't be moving around (at all), so maybe I'll be able to get some things done.

completed Wednesday, January 24th, 2018 at 01:04AM because I'm deranged. But of course, backdated for organizational purposes ☺