Wrapping Up 2011

On a scale from 1 to 10, this year was an '11.

I recycled--that was my idea for our graduation shirts last year (with a couple modifications to make it more relevant). I'll admit that. But there's no denying that this year has been wonderful. I absolutely adored living through the 2-oh-1-oh plus 1, as my father called it a few times in January.

II watched a clip from NBC, in which a kid said he was hoping for a better year in 2012. I suppose everyone didn't have as awesome of a year as I, so I decided to check in with some friends on Facebook. The following list is from a variety of people from a variety of life stages, a variety of level of acquaintance with me, and a variety of backgrounds. I hope it helps to sum up how people feel about 2011 and 2012 alike.

Among my friends there are those who view 2011 as wonderful, and 2012 as a challenge they can overcome:

As 2011 draws to its final hours I have no idea what to say. It was the best year in my life so far (I do plan on living forever so a lot to look forward to). Tonight at 12 am, a new year starts. A year full of smiles, laughter, and love. My biggest fear in life is growing up. 2012 is a big year in my life and the year where I believe my fear will conquer me. Starting 12 tonight I will embrace my inner childhood more than ever, not the one that whines and cries but the one who never forgets to smile, the one who doesn't let others stop him, the one who always let out a hand for friendship, and the one who makes sure that everyone around him is always smiling and laughing. 2012, come at me. --Kushal

There are those who met the call to review 2011 with sarcasm:

Wait, I'm supposed to be listing things this year? Oh, it's New Years Eve. Um...
Dude, I can barely list what happened yesterday. Okay. This year, I existed. Happy New Years Eve. --Lindsay

There are those who are hopeful:

Happy New Years Eve everyone! Time to leave things in the past and look ahead into the future! --Jomel

There are those who were given gifts of life:

Happy new years Eve! I'm sad to say goodbye to 2011, we had a great year! The birth of Quinn, we bought our first house and the countless memories we made along the way! I can't wait to see what 2012 brings us! We're ready, bring it on! --Whitney

There are those who are glad for a new year and the blank page it brings with it:

Ready for a New Year... Ready for a new start... Ready for new friends... Ready for new love. Bring it 2012!!!!! --Eddie

And there are those who write perfectly the way I felt about this year:

I throw around adjectives like they're no big deal - incredible, wonderful, lovely - but here the sun sets on a year that truly was impossible to believe, full of wonder and love. Moments extraordinary and extra ordinary alike, shared with friends old and new. It's been a year of new places, new dreams, and new friends that I very much hope are in for the long haul. After the best year of my life, it takes serious nerve to ask 2012 for anything more, yet ask I will. Be safe, be brave, but above all, be happy. It's a big world out there.   --Carrie

I hope my friends have given you a wide view of feelings about last year and this new year. I think allowing Facebook to describe last year and thoughts on next year really provides a view into how great the human spirit is. We humans have met adversity and fought it head-on. No matter what is thrown to us, we are able to keep moving and continue hoping for the future. Those recovering from bad years aren't shutting down, but are instead moving forward into the new year with hope and wonderment at what could be. Those blessed with good years are thankful for those years and looking forward to even greater years to come.

No matter your story, no matter your background, no matter who you are, you are connected with everyone else simply because you are human. We humans will prevail and the human race will never cease to amaze me. Thank you, everyone, for a terrific year and a satisfactory first semester of college. It's you who enrich my life and make it all the better.

And, guys, have a wonderful 2012.

Shame on Me!

Apologies for how transient (or invisible) I have been in the past few months. Trust me, it's not simply negligence that led to the incredibly low frequency of postings here--I've been extraordinarily busy. In order to make up for my lack of posts--and leaving you out of my college experience entirely--let me give you a short update on all that has happened.


-Aaron Pomis won the election to sit on the school board of the Charlotte/Mecklenburg district.
After canvassing three times and explaining to many people the pros of electing Aaron to office, everything paid off. It was great to know that something I worked on turned out in my favor. The experience with the Pomis campaign will help me next fall with Obama's reelection. I owe all of these experiences to JD and Aaron. Thanks so much, guys.

-Eco-Reps met its conclusion.
While the fact that the program finished brings me great sadness, I know that I gained a lot from the experience and I'm extremely excited to take what I've learned and use it in the future. I will miss the fellowship of the group, but I have gained friendships with the members. I know who to go to for help with certain issues that have to do with the environment, and I'm very excited to see what else Allison has in store for us. There is an internship this spring open to students interested in environmental issues, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to apply. I really hope that I get accepted because I know it would not only be engaging, but would also help me learn more about grants and planning.

-I met with Lindsey Graham's Greenville office.
I'm hoping to get a spot on Senator Graham's staff for the upcoming summer. I have been emailing a couple of the members of staff and finally went in for an interview last week. It was incredibly exciting to talk to them, and they even introduced me to other members of the office as their "summer intern". I know that I'm a Davidson College Democrat, but I am more than willing to work for Graham, a Republican, because he is not only the Senator from my state that I hold the greatest respect for but also because I agree with a lot of his policy.

-Finals are done!
Woohoo! This is the most exciting of updates, I must say. I studied so hard for them and nearly lost my mind in the process. I was satisfied with my grades on a few and disappointed in some others, but that's just how it goes, I suppose. My grades have inspired me to work much harder next semester and harder still for the semesters to come.


Well, I hope this post works as some sort of reconciliation for you. I'm sorry for the awful posting frequency, but you'll accept that as just my style from now on, right? (I know, posts apologizing about being late all the time get old very fast, so I'll abstain from the apologies from here on out.)

Have a terrific day!