While creeping on facebook waiting for the new year to approach, I noticed that a ton of people were so terribly thankful for 2011 to be behind them. It was apparently an awful year for many. To be completely honest, I have no idea what made 2011 so awful. It was definitely one of the most challenging years I have ever had, but not a bad year overall. People be crazy.
In order to make a decent guess on if 2011 really was awful, I'm going to give a brief run down of my year. Ready...
Get set....
Go!
January:
The Marine officially signed with the Marines and got his ship date for boot camp, May 23rd. I went back to Tulsa for my second semester as a big bad college student. My roommate moved out and I had my dorm room to myself. I started taking more classes that related to my major and fewer gen ed classes. I celebrated the Monsters birthday with her and she didn't scream, cry, or tell me she hated me. The Marine's ship date changed to February 7th.
February:
Snowmagedden began in Tulsa while I took a week off from school and spent it at home with the Marine before he left for boot camp. We had a going away party and sent the Marine away to start a new journey in his life. I went back to school and started my training to become a Marine girlfriend. I began writing a letter a day to the Marine while he was in boot camp. I was blessed by a group of family and friends that came to my aid when my world was turned on its side. I got a beautiful Valentines day surprise. I got my first letter back from the Marine and my first taste of what beauty a mailbox can bring. I went to Colorado with the Marine's family and had a wonderful weekend just forgetting about the real world.
March:
I continued writing a letter a day and stopped getting funny looks from the people at the front desk when I dropped off a letter everyday. Spring break came and I worked at Happy Hands and babysat my favorite monsters. Nothing too monumental happened in March, really. I learned how to adapt. I stopped worrying so much. I failed regularly on being strong, but I grew like it was nobody's business.
April:
Writing a letter a day never slowed down, although the only day I missed was in April, but of course, I made up for it. If I remember correctly, I spent every weekend at home this month. Which wasn't really intentional, it just kind of happened. I came home the first weekend for a special little monster's 1st birthday party, as semi-official photographer. I took tons of pictures of random things. You're welcome! The second weekend... I'm not exactly sure what I was doing home. Maybe I didn't come home. Who knows. The third weekend, I think, was when I went to World of Fun with the Marine's family and church. The fourth was Easter and I learned what it felt like to have the responsibility of showing up to both of our families events alone. When the Marine can't show up to something, I make sure I try to be there. Just representing. The last weekend I came home from school for good and attended my final prom. Which we definitely attended in a wagon and tricycle. I ended my first 4.0 semester in April. April was also the month that I got into the single digits on the countdown.
May:
This month is by far my favorite of 2011. I went to San Diego with the Marine's family. We went to Knott's Berry Farm, Disneyland, and the beach while in California. We also explored downtown San Diego every night we were there. Or at least close. It was a great trip, but of course my favorite part was going to MCRD to see the Marine on family day and for his graduation. It was a fabulous feeling and I would do it all over again. The Marine came home with us for a few days. He left again for MCT after a week at home. I was home for the summer. I traveled to Mississippi with the BFF for a wedding that we totally crashed.
June:
I celebrated my birthday. Well actually, my birthday was far from spectacular, but I still aged so it's all good. I started babysitting a little girl on a regular basis, which was definitely a Godsend. I wouldn't have made it without having a reason to get up and do something everyday. I made a decision that I wanted to go abroad and volunteer at some point in my life, still working on that one.. The Marine relocated to Pensacola, Florida for his schooling and the time difference disappeared.
July:
In July, I traveled to Ohio to babysit Major who I hadn't seen in almost a year. It was a fantastic trip. We got to explore Cleveland and see all that it had to offer while babysitting one of the sweetest little boys I know. We spent the 4th of July there. Beautiful. I cannot wait to go back for whatever reason! I watched the cutest monster I know show her very first bucket calf, Sally, at the Pratt County Fair. I planned a trip to Florida that fell through.
August:
I babysat some super cute kiddos for a week while their parents took a vacation to Vegas. A wee bit jealous. I demanded the Marine make time for me. I went around him and to his roommate to help me plan my trip. I convinced my parents I was old enough to drive 16 hours alone. And off I went. I visited the Marine for the first time in Florida. I went back to school for my second year as a big bad college student. I got a new roommate that is much better than the old. I started my first practicum and fell more in love with my major.
September:
This month, I traveled back to Pensacola over Labor Day weekend. Trust me, do not drive back on Monday. Traffic is not okay, even for driving afternoon/evening/all night. School continued on. I didn't have time in my schedule to go to Happy Hands, which was very upsetting. I was taking 18 hours and some how surviving. I ran the Warrior Dash with Jessie at the end of the month, which was a great decision!
October:
In October, I debated transferring schools. Then I gave up on that idea. I traveled to Pensacola again. This time, Jessie came with me, which made the drive so much easier. My second family came down and we went to Toy Story on ice. Had a fantastic time! My mom came down the next weekend and we went to the Dolly Parton concert. My dad came down on another weekend. It was a month full of good weekends. Never once did I have a dull and boring weekend in October.
November:
I ran the Ruckus run up in Kansas City with my sister this month. It was great to be able to have time to bond with her when neither of us were at home. It was so much fun to run the Ruckus with her, and I can't wait to do it again in March! I got the fantastic opportunity of going to Washington DC to visit Gallaudet. It was great to be able to go this year with some of the best girls I know. I also got to take my last trip to Pensacola this month. Four months in a row! I'm a champion! Thanksgiving happened this month, as normal.
December:
For the final month, I finished my third semester at Tulsa (which was halfway!) and I also pulled out a second 4.0! I came up with a plan to take 19 credit hours next semester but only appear to take 18, leaving me without having to pay for the extra hour. The Marine came home for Christmas, the first time he was home since boot leave. Home until the very last day of the year. I helped out with the Christmas program at church. And by helped out, I mean I played with kids.
So overall, I would say 2011 was a successful year. I am excited to move on and see what I can accomplish in 2012, but 2011 was far from awful.
Happy New Years!!
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