What a Year

My 2012, if not the end of the world, was an epic year.  I changed in so many ways that it might be easier to enumerate the ways I stayed the same.  But since tonight I am celebrating the submission of my first grad school app, I'm giving myself time to do both.

2009 was another year that I thought was epic.  Mom's illness and passing, high school graduation, new outlook on discipline and my purpose in the world, leaving home for college.  It's only been three years since then; so maybe epic years aren't as rare as I think.  In fact, with college graduation just over the horizon, 2013 very well may be more epic than 2012.  Nevertheless, here I go.

I am just like my 2009-2011 self in many ways.  I try to put people relationships above all else.  I consider myself an optimist.  I love to write about my thoughts.  I love to cook.  I find lame jokes hilarious.  I love school, especially when I am on break like now.  I think much about science and religion.  I believe there is a God.  Music is a large part of my life.  I have high expectations and lofty goals.

But I'm better at using and understanding sarcasm.  I like bluegrass, when the sound of mandolins and banjos used to nauseate me.  I am madly in love with the American West.  I think cities are overrated, although I've been a city girl all my life.  I like a juicy hunk of steak.  I savor going to the bathroom in the woods as a bonding experience between me and nature.  I no longer attend church, although that's not to say I will never go again.  I dance again.  I have new standards for stargazing and hiking.  I am more liberal when it comes to dating.  I'm a much better geologist, albeit still a novice.  I care less about looks but more about fitness.

All because of getting over a past relationship, turning twenty-one, the rise and fall of another relationship, interacting with many people in different ways, spending seven weeks out West, and joining the geology social circle.  And, the most first-time experiences in one year by far (out of the years I can remember, anyway) -- I could literally name dozens.

This time last year, musing about how fast 2011 was and how 2012 will be just another blink of an eye, all I hoped for was that it would be a good blink of an eye.  Filled with adventure in every sense, successes to meet the challenges, getting to know personalities new to me, new sights and tastes, natural wonder, loving family and friends, and a new perspective on the world, it was a magical blink.

And my heart still says...  Thank God.