2016

Wow.

What a year. One for the books.


There's definitely one resolution I made this past year that I didn't keep: updating my blog more frequently. It was a combination of a multitude of factors: my laptop dying a slow (and ongoing) death, traveling like none other, and though I'd like to say "living in the moment", often times, that is just a nice way of saying being too busy and distracted.

But when I take the time to sit down and let myself breathe, I realize just how crazy this last year has been. And I can't do it justice with a few words or a few pictures, but I'm going to try. Even if it's mostly for my sake. For all of the moments in 2016 I want to forget and whose implications will stretch into the years to come, there are just as many sweet moments that deserve to be shared, to make my nostalgia-prone heart happy and spread a little joy.

And I like lists.
So, here's my Top 16 moments/events/memories of 2016.

This is my wonderful, best friend Hayley, who I had the privilege of joining on her family trip to the Florida Keys. We made our way to Texas, and then through Disney World, Miami, and down to the Keys. It was one of the most amazing weeks I'll ever experience, and I cannot thank her family enough. And escaping the Chicago winter wasn't all bad either. 

I tackled one of the biggest projects I've ever tackled. Almost singlehandedly (with a little bit of help from Rachael Lemna, Laura and mom- thanks, guys!) I completely redid my room. Maybe it's not quite as glamorous as going to Europe, but seeing that lime green room transform was a big step. It's a close tie between the room and buying my own car as to which made me feel more like a grown-up.

I dealt with setbacks and celebrated accomplishments with the people who I love the most. Like this night, when Krista and I both received scholarships and got to rejoice together. God is good and faithful, and I see it in the people around me more than anything else.

I made good friends and said hard goodbyes. These three in particular. I can honestly say I don't know what my junior year would have looked like without them. Esther, Debbie, Ben- I am eternally grateful for each of you, and you better come visit because being the only one at Wheaton is not going to be easy.

 

Apartment 1.
It was a privilege to live life with these ladies. We've all been split up now- Em on the right is graduated and teaching high school science like a boss, Abes has moved to Europe, soon to marry Baevid, and Ciera's engaged too, the only one holding down the fort at Wheaton both semesters. They made me laugh, they were there when I cried, and all of the other stuff being a roommate entails. Even the unexpected, like the time a foot long squid showed up in our toilet. Love you all.

My first day of nannying was horrible. In the midst of handling a broken air conditioner I was attacked by the family terrier. Thank goodness everything only went up from there. By the end of the summer, these two little girls had my heart.

I met and fell in love with the greatest guy on the planet. We started dating the same day we said goodbye on June 16, and I flew home on December 16, meaning- exactly 6 months of long distance in 6 months of long distance. Thankfully, a quick visit to Georgia was thrown in there. A daring move for only having dating a month, but hey, it paid off. Still loving life with wonderful Connor.

The blessings from YHM just kept coming. I got to be part of the Cabinet and go through orientation with the next Spain team. My cabinet compadres and these five future peregrinos furthered my love for this ministry, which not only gave me an incredible summer last year, but made me grow in my faith exponentially, and ultimately, made me switch my major to focus more on Spanish.

 

I learned all about traveling solo. That sometimes you get lonely and take ridiculous pictures next to romantic murals because you miss bae. And other times, you miss talking to people so much that you sing to your soft pretzel, much to the confusion of the Polish homeless man sitting on the bench next to you. But no matter what- you try to stay grateful for the opportunities, keep updated on your train tickets and maps, and talk to people everywhere you go. I've learned that people are great and will always surprise you. You'll never lack for a friend if you just learn to talk to strangers.

But I also learned the value of a familiar face. Ann and I have come a long way- from not really liking each other at the start of YHM last year, to being the best of travel buddies and friends. Weeks 3 and 4 we spent traveling eastern Europe, and we both studied in Sevilla. Though our schedules didn't allow us to meet up once in Sevilla all that often, every time we did, I felt like she was a piece of home. Ann, Darren, Rachel, the Italy girls: I'm thankful for all of my travel buddies.

I called Sevilla, Spain, home. I got to live on this street, where every day tourists would flock for the amazing views and horse-drawn carriages would pass under my window. I pulled back my curtain to the view of orange trees and the beautiful river. And I re-fell in love with Spain. Now I call "home" three places: Chicago, Santiago, and Sevilla.

I was blessed with the greatest roommates in all of Spain. Who would have thought they'd be cuddling with me by the end of the semester- they wouldn't even hug me at the beginning. These hermanas were the most wonderful unexpected part of my semester.

 
 
 


I appreciated Facetime like never before.

I checked two things off my bucket list: hiking in the Alps, and visiting Vatican City. I traveled to 13 countries, and took my dream Italy trip. There really is nothing like traveling, and I am so thankful for all of the opportunities I had. And more than anything, the people who helped me, hosted me, and loved me along the way.

I became part of a new family. Lidia and Asier opened up their home to us, not just as host students, but as their daughters. And León, the little yellow canary perched on Asier's shoulder, and I formed a special bond. This family was hands down my favorite part of the semester.

Culture shock is hard. Chicago is cold. But I came back to the people and places that I love the most. There's a beauty in travel, in new situations and locations. But there's nothing like home.

So there you go. My year in a nutshell. It's been a beautiful whirlwind.

Catch ya for the next one (or sooner than that- the resolution to blog more is not going to die).

Peace out, 2016.