What a year: 2015 in review

Preparing for my third year of college outside my dorm hall in September.

Another semester has come and gone in Boston therefore I'm more nostalgic than usual. As cliche as it sounds, this semester flew by and I'm not sure where the time went. I remember what I wore the first day of classes and getting to class early (likely the only time I was ever on time to a class). Each semester brings different adventures and self growth along with new friendships and getting to know people better. I never show it but I am always grateful for everything, good or bad, that I have gone through that has made me the person I am today. 

This semester I got a piercing I didn't need, learned how to be a leader, got a really cool job, made ok-ish art, classed up for the ballet, listened to more Drake than usual, participated in some hooligan nonsense, met some great friends, saw a handful of concerts, and FINALLY got an internship. Not bad. Boston is my home now and I love it when tourists ask me for directions on the T and I know how to get everywhere by walking. Even if I leave here I will remember this city as the place I loved the most. 

I never thought of myself as having a "comfort zone." I thought people who "stepped out" of their comfort zone were people who lacked confidence. I realized stepping out of my comfort zone was just me stepping out of being myself and didn't have anything to do with lacking confidence. This semester I expressed emotions to people (something I don't do), took a job at the local newspaper in the high school sports department (I don't even like sports), and co-led a campus club (I used to be the silent girl in the corner). 

By not being myself, I learned who I wanted to be. I want to be the person who's in touch with their feelings, I want to push myself to have jobs I would never take, and I want to be able to lead a group of people without being scared. I used to cower at all of these things and now I embrace the things I never wanted to do. I thought this semester was lackluster, even boring, but I realized it wasn't boring. It was only different because I was changing to fit into a new life. 

Even if I still hide behind my detached feelings, occasionally get annoyed at my job, or don't know how to handle something within my club, I'm glad to be where I am today. A year ago, things were different. I would roll around like a chicken without legs (or whatever the saying is) and hope for the best. I had my life in control and I knew what I wanted but I didn't know how to get it. 

This was a year for the books. I modeled in my college's annual fashion show, went to a Super Bowl shindig, quit (many) unfulfilling jobs, grew my hair long (again) and cut it short (again), saw some of my best friends get apartments, and, all around, live a life I never expected. I like to joke that my hometown of Syracuse is where dreams go to die. I was so uninspired all summer at home and finally being back at school changed my outlook on the future. 

All of the publications I wrote for this semester. 

This year was a weird year for me. After being in such a good place my entire sophomore year of college I felt myself creeping back into the place I was before that. But I also got out of that. The summer was less than ideal and even the beginning of the school year was rough for a few different reasons but I survived. I have done things I have never done before and (hopefully) found the person I want to be.