2017 was a rough year for many people. It didn't particularly hold anything exciting for me outside of finally finding a wedding venue and setting a date. However, 2018 is a year with many new amazing and exciting opportunities and events taking place in my life. The following is a simple list and explanation of what I am looking forward to in the New Year.

1. My Wedding and All The Planning

Of course, I am most excited about my wedding.My fiance and I first met back in 2015. We met for our first official date in Freeport, Maine, a small town known for being the home of L.L. Bean and for being a major tourist attraction in our state. However, our first date was April 2 and it was still cold. Many of the stores in the town closed early(5pm!) and we left wandering the streets. In 2016, on my birthday I might add, we became engaged. And finally in June of 2018 I will get to marry my best friend. I can't wait to walk down the aisle and say my "I do" to the love of my life.

2. A New Apartment

The apartment I'm in currently isn't terrible per say, but rather too expensive for how small it is. Tucked right on Us Route 1 at times trying to get anywhere can be an annoying task. Especially during rush hour, the summer, any Holiday weekend and bad weather. With a new apartment gives us an opportunity to express ourselves as we currently cannot put anything up on our walls. We'd like a two bedroom so we have some space for a game room. Mostly because I'd like to watch tv when he plays video games sometimes :')

3. Our Honeymoon

While we don't have anything 100% set in stone, it is my hopes that our honeymoon will land us in Florida. I have never been and would love to experience the area. My heart is set on getting to both Universal Studios and Seaworld. At first, I thought about Disney, but decided I would rather wait until we have children one day so it can be an amazing family experience. I am thankful for family who has offered us their timeshare(once again...) to be able to go to a resort, spend some time on the beach and just some time with my new husband.

4. A New Job

Yes, I am thankful that I currently have a job that has allowed me to do an internship and to attend school with little to no arguing or annoyance. However, this same job is also a job that is continuously causing me to lose hours and thus lose money. My time at my internship has really created so many new and amazing experiences for me. I've learned how to deal with the state when it comes to child support money, Mainecare, and food stamps. I've gotten my lifelong LOCUS rater number to be able to determine what level of care is needed for a client. I have met some of the most intelligent and friendly people in the mental health field. While it is not set in stone that I will be getting a job at Catholic Charities after my internship, I have received encouragement from my supervisor, many of my co-workers and even the Chief Clinical Officer of the company.

5. Finishing My Second Year Of Graduate School

Going on the part- time track was a way to save myself some money. However, I do really wish my second year was my final year. Being in school, having an internship, trying to work and trying to plan a wedding has been a major headache all along. It will be nice to have a couple months off where I just have to work. It'll be nice to not be stuck on campus until 7 at night twice a week. It will be nice not to have to worry that I'll look at my bank account and not be able to pay for rent or gas or bills. I am fortunate to be in graduate school, but it's expensive and it takes a lot of energy.