January
I remember celebrating the new year with my family in Vermont. It sounds corny, but I had this gut feeling that this was the year everything would be different. I was in the middle of my senior year of high school. Some days I would be really sad as I looked around the room, realizing that our childhood was actually coming to an end. Other days I would dread waking up and having to face the same old people. Some days I wanted everything to stay frozen in time and other days I wanted to fast forward until I was living in my own apartment in a big city.
February
My sister and I took a trip to Florida by ourselves to stay with our grandparents, aunt, and uncle for a week and a half. We went to Miami, Daytona, Melbourne, Key West and Orlando. We also rented a red mustang convertible, because you have to ride to these places in style. Although this wasn't our first time in Florida, it was our first time really exploring different places instead of lounging at the beach all day every day. Oh, and my boyfriend and I became official!
March
March was.. eh, it was March. It was a sluggish month with more homewok and no break. I was still visting colleges trying to make my final decision, but that wasn't what made this month memorable. In March, Rebecca Shepherd died from cancer. She was my teacher and choir director since I was about 12 years old. She meant a lot to me but I didn't realize the impact she had on me until months after her death. I never said goodbye to her, and that's one of my biggest regrets. Her death not only impacted me, but it changed the entire community. She was a woman with a big voice and an even bigger heart. She left us too soon, but her legacy still lives on.
April
The highlight of April was my vacation to Florida. (Yep, I went twice this year!) My parents, sister, and I go annually, but this year was special because I was able to bring my friend Hayley. We always joked about going on vacation together someday but we didn't think it would actually happen, especially so soon. We spent a week soaking up the sun on the beach, hanging out by the pool, and spending a few nights in Key West. I couldn't begin to count the amount of new memories that trip gave us. Also, it was my 18th birthday!
May
I officially made my college decision: Suffolk University in Boston. Suffolk wasn't my first choice or dream school, but I was comfortable with my choice. I picked a school in a big city, a school with my major, and a school that gave me the financial aid I needed. So with that big weight lifted off my shoulders and my assignments winding down, I put a lot of my focus on prom, of course. I picked out a purple strapless dress (and a light grey tuxedo for my boyfriend) and a bouquet of white flowers. I was really excited because this was the first year I looked in the mirror and really felt beautiful.
June
I graduated from high school. The building I just started calling "home" I had to leave. It took me four years to finally get used to this place, and then it was time for me to kiss it goodbye. I took my final bow on stage, closed my locker for the last time, and stepped off the school bus, never to step back on it again. Putting on the cap and gown was the most surreal experience. All I could think was "Wow, is it really over?" I soon realized that this was only the beginning; there was so much more ahead of me.
July
Although I spent a large amount of my summer working, I wanted to include time to travel. This month I first went on a trip with some of my family members from the west coast, who I see very rarely. We went to Niagara Falls (and took a walk to the Canada side), New York City and Woodford, Vermont. Later that month I spent a week in Wildwood, New Jersey, one of my favorite places to go on vacation. I couldn't live with myself if I spent the entire summer cooped up at work or in my house.
August
August was spent buying everything for college. New clothes, books, pillows, bed spreads, mini refridgerators, and anything else you can imagine. I moved into dorm for the first time. I had to say farewell to my friends, hugging them tightly and crying as we pulled out of each other's driveways. I watched my parents walk out the door and I was left alone to start this new journey. Everything was different and exciting and terrifying. I knew I would be fine in the end, but it was a big transition nevertheless.
I was trying to adjust to everything, but I did a good job with it, if I do say so myself. I was doing everything all on my own! From the little things like doing my laundry and getting myself to class on time, to the big things like making new friends and keeping my grades up, I did it all alone. I was independent and that's the way I liked it. I was also exploring a big city and enjoying being a tourist in my new home.
October
This month, I really got into my writing groove. Yes, I've always been passionate about writing and journalism, but it really went into full swing in October. I became a staff reporter for The Suffolk Journal, a writer for Two Buttons Deep, and editor-in-chief for the Odyssey. I found myself writing articles like crazy! All my friends thought I was insane for tackling so much writing at once, but I loved it. It made me realize that I made the right choice about majoring in journalism.
November
By November, I was accustomed to my city life. I knew which coffee shops I liked and which ones I didn't. I knew what food at the dining hall was good and what food to avoid at all costs. I knew my way around every building on campus and I had spent my fair share of time in the library. I also went home for Thanksgiving, which meant catching up with family about what I've been up to lately and exchanging college stories with my friends from home.
December
I survived my first semester of college! I made a group of friends, I made it through all my final exams, and I learned how to get around a bustling city. When I came home, a lot of my friends admitted they weren't happy at school for a variety of reasons, but I just couldn't relate. I'm having the time of my life in college. Of course, I have days where I'm homesick and yearn to be a little kid again, but I wouldn't change anything right now. Not everything is easy but I've never been happier. For the first time in my life I am somewhere that I belong. I am happy and I am thriving. I am finally living the life I've spent so many years dreaming about. All I have to say is that the wait was worth it.
