Dear 2020,

Below are the most memorable things that happened both good and bad this year that I feel are noteworthy. Thanks for the mems.....

1. I discovered my extreme dislike for online learning. Organic chemistry is not meant to be taught or learned online. 10/10 would NOT recommend unless absolutely necessary. But I must commend the professors for their extra effort in trying to make the best out of the situation and for being generous when it came to complications with technology.

2. Pre-Covid-19 pandemics i experiences Mardi Gras New Orleans style and had such a great time. Who knew that something as simple as catching beads could be so fun! Even better, I spent that time with my closest friends and wouldn’t have wished it any other way.

3. I spent a LOT of time with family. Luckily, my family is my biggest support in life. It was nice to be a part of my younger siblings day to day life again. I learned how to simultaneously watch Barbie movies with my four year old sister while being in my biology zoom. It was definitely the most interesting thing to happen, but I wouldn’t take it back for the world because of the memories I made with them.

4. I managed to be a part of a successful long distance relationship... that one wasn’t too tricky. My boyfriend makes it really easy to love him no matter how far away he may be. Netflix movie/FaceTime dates were interesting though. I tried to make sure to learn at least one new thing about him everyday as a way to make sure that I was actively participating in the relationship and showing that I cared about the important things in his life.

5. I took on way too much of a workload this past fall semester. 19 credit hours and a 20 hours a week part time job proved to be far more difficult than anticipated. However, now I know my limitations and what to expect from myself moving forward in my undergraduate career.

6. I learned how reliant I am on physical touch. Once it was taken away and the world gave way to social distancing and 6 feet apart, I realized how much I use physical touch to show how i care about other people. On the flip side, I feel as though I have gotten significantly better at using my words to communicate how I’m feeling because of the lack of physical touch to show others.

7. My love for the outdoors became all the more apparent. With extra alone time on my hands, I turned to hiking and kayaking and just generally being outside as much as possible. Nature seems to have a safe haven to offer that nothing else really compares to. I hope to keep being off my phone and outside looking at the world around me in 2021.