Reflecting on 2014, it is hard to remember the good moments. Maybe this is because bad news usually generates the most buzz, or because we tend to forget the good and remember the bad. In any case, it is important to celebrate the positive things that came out of this year. Here is a timeline of my favorite events from 2014.
February 7 - February 23 - The Sochi Winter Olympics
It is always exciting to watch the world come together for the Olympics and to have two straight weeks of constant entertainment. At the Sochi Winter Olympics, the United States placed fourth overall and won nine gold, seven silver, and twelve bronze medals.
July 11 - The movie Boyhood was released theatrically
This coming-of-age drama, written and directed by Richard Linklater, was finally released after eleven years of shooting. It follows the childhoods and adolescences of a character named Mason (Ellar Coltrane) and his sister Samantha (Lorelei Linklater). This unique film shows the actors growing up with their characters, bringing the viewers on a nostalgic journey through time. For college-aged students who grew up in the same generation as Mason and Samantha, it is fascinating to see their lives through the years.
July - August - Over $100 million was donated to the ALS Association
Throughout the summer of 2014, it seemed like everyone was participating in the Ice Bucket Challenge, a social media campaign to raise money for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Matt Damon, Eminem, Tina Fey, Bill Gates, and many more poured ice water on their heads, nominated others, and donated to the ALS Association. While at first it seemed like a silly fad, the amount of money raised for an important cause made the Ice Bucket Challenge a definite positive of 2014.
September 19 - Apple released the iPhone 6
The release of a new iPhone is always exciting, whether it is because you are going to upgrade or because you want to see what innovative thing Apple has come up with next. This iPhone is thin, sleek, and tall, with optical image stabilization, Apple Pay, and iOS8's QuickType. Also with the announcement of the new iPhone, Apple announced the Apple Watch, which has not come out yet, and its future success remains a mystery.
September 20 - UN Women launched the HeForShe campaign
This campaign, which garnered great attention thanks to popular Harry Potter actress Emma Watson, is a solidarity campaign aimed at getting men involved in the fight for women's rights and gender equality. It is a step in the right direction, and one of the only positive events that gained great attention in the headlines this year.
October 3 - The movie Gone Girl was released theatrically
Fans of Gillian Flynn's popular 2012 novel were not disappointed by David Fincher's movie adaptation. Gone Girl is about Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck), a man whose wife, Amy (Rosamund Pike), goes missing. This film has everything a good thriller needs: an attractive couple, intrigue and mystery, captivating plot twists, blood, and murder.
October 27 - Taylor Swift released 1989
Swift took a big risk for her fifth studio album by officially crossing over from country to pop, and it definitely payed off. This album was unlike anything she had released before, but only made her more famous and successful, which I did not know was even possible. Not only was 1989 the first album released in 2014 to go platinum, but it also accomplished this within its first week on the market. Two tracks from the album, "Blank Space" and "Shake It Off," have already been number one singles, and the album is still all over the radio. I already have a feeling that the 1989 tour will be one of the highlights of 2015.
November 4 - Season two of MasterChef Junior premiered
I have a hard time getting interested in new TV shows, but MasterChef Junior was different. After one episode, I was hooked. It is a high skill level cooking competition between sixteen amateur chefs, ages eight through twelve. The kids seem like regular elementary/middle school students, except that they are unbelievably fantastic chefs. Their skills are awe-inspiring, and their positive attitudes and compassion towards one another are truly heartwarming. This feel-good show encompasses everything nice about reality television, and I am already looking forward to season three, which premiers in January.
All year - Many states struck down bans on gay-marriage
Throughout the year, courts in Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming struck down gay-marriage bans. This is more progress than ever before, as gay-marriage is now legal in 35 states.
Looking back, there were some great moments in 2014. Let's hope that 2015 will be even better.
