Retrospection

Last year I took a minute to think about how much my life had changed in 2011. It was a big year; I graduated from high school, moved to Conway, and started college.

 Optimistically I wrote about how I couldn't wait till exactly one year from then. What would 2012 bring? What would I write about, as I reviewed my year? I had high dreams of a cool summer job ((needless to say, that whole bartending thing didn't work out. next time I need to read the small print. Interestingly enough in the state of Arkansas a minor can serve alcohol, but can't mix it)), a boyfriend, new exciting things that I was sure would happen in 2012.

However, when I stop to think about 2012, it lacks the luster of 2011. That is to say, I didn't have near as much change, or big events. Which, after all, is to be expected. Even though I don't treat high school graduation as the end all be all-- as I will hopefully experience more graduations in my life-- it still was a rather big event. I guess. I don't know, I feel like I've work so much harder in college than I ever did in high school. College graduation will feel a lot more hard earned, I think. But that's feels forever away. 2015. Not as far away as I might think.

Anyway, reading that post in 2011 encouraged me to look back over 2012 and think about what this post might look like a year from now.

2012. I said goodbye to my freshman year, and got more A's than I had hoped for. I went to Colorado on my first mission trip. I tried relentlessly to find some sort of summer employment, and failed. No one wanted to hire a college student who would have to leave. Though I did end up in an amazing summer horse class.

In my summer boredom I delved into the deep end of crafting, discovering a new love for making things. I made shoes, decorated canvases, melted crayons, and decked out some t-shirts. Then fall came and sophomore year started. While I loved being back with my friends, the difficultly of sophomore year took me aback. However, I got through it, ending with a respectable GPA. Odyssey dreams were born and died. I learned a lot.

I can't wait to see what will happen in 2013. It should be a huge year with a lot of exciting things. For starters, as soon as I get back to Hendrix I'm going to a women in physics conference-- which I can't wait for. Then, a week or so after I get done with finals I'm headed to Honduras with my youth group for a mission trip. Even though I don't speak a lick of Spanish I'm excited for that.

Then, if all goes as planned, I should end up with a researching job at Hendrix this summer-- gaining valuable experience for further applications.

And once summer is over I should be on a plane to France! If everything works out I will be studying abroad first semester of junior year. Where in France?  I won't know till like late April where I'm placed. Regardless of location I can't wait to be in France. It'll help my French tremendously; and over all it will be exciting to be in a new country!

I'm not one for New Year's resolutions so I don't have any to write down. I just wanted to take a second and write about 2012 and my hopes for 2013.

I hope your year has been great!