The new year has begun; 2017 is the year that will make up for the terrible crapstorm that was 2016, right? Yes! 2016 was a fiasco of an election year no matter who you voted for, and a million and one beloved celebrities died, and everyone just seems to think this past year just, well, sucked.
Life is what you make it, folks.
I don't think 2016 was a terrible year. 2016 was a fabulous year with some bumps in the road, just like every other year. It's all about looking for the positives. What happened in 2016 that makes you happy? Well, here's what happened to me in 2016 that brings me joy.
I graduated college. Finally.
It took me seven years to obtain my bachelor's degree. SEVEN YEARS. I had a few set backs through the years with illness, financial troubles, more illness, lack of motivation here and there (I think the technical term for it would be "Quarter Life Crisis"), and, again, illness- not necessarily in that order. Finally earning my degree really felt amazing, as if I triumphed over my own issues. Finally.
I traveled to Ireland for a week.
It was a study abroad trip back in February 2016, and it was the best week ever! I finally rode on an airplane, drank my liver's desire in Guinness, and had the time of my life. (You can read about my experience in a previous article).
I met some of the best friends I could ask for.
They were both hired in to my workplace this past spring. These two girls make going to work even better. Even though all three of us are vastly different and all have different roles at the shop, we share a few interests and that's all that really matters when you're friends. We bond over food and crafts and always find something to laugh about each day we work together. It's one of those friendships that even if our paths go in different directions one day, I'm pretty sure we'll find ways to keep in touch.
I got back to writing almost every day.
Writing for Odyssey is helping to spark my muse and work on my writing skills outside of the academic world. Now, I'm back to working on my poetry and fiction, debating about starting a blog, and working hard to break into a writing and/or editing career.
