2011. What a fucking year.
This time last year, I was sitting in the auditorium of my church waiting to ring in the New Year with people I love. I was optimistic for what was to come and probably the happiest I’ve ever been with where I was. A lot has happened since then.
In January, I got to go to Florida for the first time. It was beautiful and I got to touch the ocean for the first time, despite the fact that it was freezing. I also went flying through the hallway of a hotel and made a complete ass of myself. I’m not going to go any further on what happened on that trip, because it wasn’t a good experience.
In February, I spent another Valentines Day alone. I know that sounds horribly depressing, but despite the fact that I was single I showed just how much I am loved. That month I also found out that some of the people in my life weren’t who I thought them to be and weren’t below manipulation to make their lives easier.
In March I celebrated my 22nd birthday. I rang in the day with a serenade at a concert and HOMEMADE STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE. Can you say AWESOME?! Later that month I spent an entire week in the mountains in Tennessee. It was magical. I can’t wait to go back again someday.
April was fairly uneventful. I spent the month working, doing homework, and wrapping up a school year for student government. I didn’t really do a whole lot.
In May, I got to work my first concert with one of my best friends. We had a blast. I took some awesome photos and we got to meet one of our favorite bands. It was great. Then there was graduation. I almost didn’t make it to the ceremony to perform. Some of my friends graduated and have found awesome grown up jobs, others came back in the fall to be graduate students.
June. Remember those people from February? They finally pushed me too far and I made the choice to leave the church that I felt was at the center of the issue. As far as I’m concerned, they took their beliefs too far. I was done feeling inadequate all the time. This month I also got a job at a web design company out here in St. Louis. The pay isn’t great, but it’s a start.
July and August were spent studying and doing work and learn in my brand new office at the commons that my school just built. I mostly worked on preparation for homecoming in October. I found out that yet another one of my favorite bands was going to be coming to my school. It was one of those reactions where at first you’re like, “Oh cool.” And then a couple minutes later I had to come back in and ask to make sure that I wasn’t hearing things.
September I rediscovered a friend and became very close. We went to a concert together to see the same band from May. I got to stand right next to the stage smack dab in the middle. I was literally three feet from one of my favorite bands. It’s probably one of my favorite memories from this year. Not just because the band, but because it brought me closer to some really awesome people.
October was what I like to refer to as “fuck, shit, damn” month. The first two weeks were spent responding to phone calls and emails until I was blue in the face. Random people were given my old phone number and it became commonplace for me to get phone calls and drunk dials at 3a.m. When I found out who was giving it out (the head organizer for homecoming), I changed it and didn’t give it back to her. That was the first of many bridges I burned that month. While it sucks sometimes to not have those connections, I don’t regret that I did it. During homecoming, I got to work/watch another concert and got a lot closer with some awesome friends. It kinda made the crap from that week slightly worth it.
November was kinda crazy. There was lots of class work and stress from work and some people in my life. Thanksgiving came and life was okay again. I got to see my family and take a real break. It was nice to see everyone again.
December has been really rough. Usually I have a week in St. Charles and then I get to go home for three weeks and spend time with my family. Instead I had to stay at school and spend the majority of my break alone. I did get to go home for a few days at Christmas, but other than that I was stuck in St. Charles. It sucks. I miss my family and friends and five days just wasn’t enough.
2011, you had your moments, but for the most part you were full of trials and tribulations. There were too many tears and too much anger. So I’m among the crowd that is glad to see you go. Here’s to hoping that 2012 is better.