Almost everyone is in agreement: 2016 was an awful year. But because I like disagreeing with the majority, I have to say that 2016 was not all that bad (except for the Trump thing-- that was awful). Personally, I think that 2016 was a pretty good year for me. If I had to give 2016 a label, I think I would give it the word "opportunity." For me, 2016 was full of opportunities that helped me grow, moving me away from the realm of childhood and more into the world of adulthood.

One of the biggest events in my life happened in 2016-- I passed my driver’s test and got my driver’s license, opening up all kinds of opportunities to me. The world was no longer distant from me, and I no longer had to rely on others to drive me to and from school and other places. I was able to go wherever I wanted, whenever I wanted. If ever I had a friend or family member who needed to get some place, I was able to help out and drive them around. Now that I have learned to drive on the freeway without fearing for my life, even more of the world is open to me, and I cannot wait to see where I take myself in 2017.

Another huge milestone of 2016 came in the form of a simple question. Back when I was a student caller for my university, my friend asked me if I would be interested in writing for Odyssey, and she told me that I could write about anything I like. Being an aspiring writer, I seized the opportunity, and I have had a lot of fun writing for Odyssey ever since. I have been able to use Odyssey to write meaningful articles about Native American issues and my reflections on the 2016 election results, and not-so-meaningful articles about Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen and a university door.

Speaking of writing, I was also given an opportunity to become an editor for my university’s newspaper, the Pacifican. My one friend (and wise mentor) used to be the copy editor for the paper until she graduated, leaving an opening that needed to be filled. I had been writing at least one article a week for the Pacifican that spring semester, and I immediately applied for the job. Fortunately, I was hired. I started out as a copy editor this past fall semester, and it was an awesome experience. I got to see the actual work and dedication that has to be put into producing a paper, and I also got to work with amazing photographers, writers, and editors that have taught me to become a better writer and editor myself.

2016 was also the year that I rededicated myself to my personal writing. My goal is to become a novelist or comic book writer, and over the summer I told myself to choose just one of my projects and focus solely on that project. I chose to write a script for a magical girl series, and by the end of the summer, I wrote a 200 page first draft. Right now, I am currently editing and rewriting it so that it will be something legitimately good sometime in the next year.

I actually might miss 2016 a little. I know that it was a rough year for a lot of people, and I have had to deal with my share of hardships, too, but I think those hardships actually helped me mature. It has been a long time, but 2016 is finally coming to an end, and I cannot wait to see what opportunities open up in 2017.