2012 was one of the best years ever. I feel like every year has its own personality (okay, years can't have personalities, but my vocab has been struggling lately); 2009 was boring year, 2010 was social year, 2011 was thought-I-was-grown-up year, etc. 2012 was a year of completely new experiences. It was like compensation for 2009 or something. So much change can be a little overwhelming (which may cause internal panic), but luckily some things never change: times spent with my family or best friends or how adorable I find my dogs. Whether it involved a surprising new twist or hanging out with old friends, 2012 was almost void of boredom, and I'm grateful for what it brought. So please enjoy this year in Instagrams, and have a happy 2013! If you're skimming: 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 30.
1. Thank you, Panda Express, for your wisdom and your proximity to Helaman Halls.
2. Fundamentals of Math is the hardest, most boring class I've ever taken in my life. Don't let the name fool you.
3. The view from outside the door of Taylor Hall. <3
4. We waited in line overnight to get contracts at Liberty Square (which it turns out I won't actually ever get to live in)
5. My 3 besties and I went to a concert, because we're cool college girls that do interesting stuff. And we met the (opening for the opening) band.
6. I experienced my first real springtime, which meant doing homework outside the dorms and wearing our Toms (R.I.P. Faithful blue and red pair).
7. More real spring.
8. Aaaaand I returned to Alaskan summer weather.
9. Also to Nugget. <3 <3
10. Diet Pepsi made an appearance this year.
11. We do have some beautiful summery stuff in Alaska!
12. It was the year of YOLO.
13. And we spent some time at Grandma and Grandpa's, especially when our cousins came to visit. :)
14. I bought my beloved brown Sperrys! Which match my dad's. And my sister's. And my brother-in-law's.
15. I worked at Alaska Experience Theater, which was actually a great and interesting job, filled with aimless wandering around downtown Anchorage, plenty of old people, and the occasional hotdog.
16. More Nugget. :) :) :)
17. I convinced my mom to let me have this cute book about a little Russian folk dancer (which would gain more significance later on), because I'm her favorite daughter.
18. I spent a lot of time with my family, which was fine with me!
19. I said goodbye for two years for the last time (or so I thought)! The last of my guy friends are officially on their missions.
20. Doesn't Grace make such a cute sister missionary? She got her call for Neuquen, Argentina and leaves January 30th.
21. I studied abroad in Siena, Italy for 3 months and it was the best thing ever! I'll always love Siena.
22. I lost myself in the Tuscan countryside. No, really, I got lost and walked 20 miles and it was kind of horrible and wonderful at the same time.
23. I returned to this: My limpy dog wearing booties.
24. I made a successful gingerbread house for the first time ever.
25. I had a reunition (yes, I know it's not a real word) with my best friends! 3 months is the longest I've gone without seeing them ever since we've been friends.
26. The age requirement for missionaries was changed, enabling me to put in my papers. I got my mission call to Donetsk, Ukraine!! Russian speaking. I leave March 27th, and I CANNOT WAIT.
27. I got a new lens for Christmas and made myself a nice little heart lens hood.
28. The sisters were reunited. <3
29. Dave brought his cooking skills to Alaska, and we had a delicious New Year's Eve feast of Japanese deliciousness.
30. I married Eddie Redmayne and we became Burberry models. Wait, no, I guess I dreamed a dream (heh heh). But I did see Les Mis twice and become obsessed with him. I guess you could say I love him, I love him, Iiiiiii love him (but only on my own - heh heh heh). And I put my face-in-hole skills to good use once again. I am becoming one of face-in-hole's most seasoned devotees. What can I say - when the beating of your heart echos the beating of a drum, it's time to get face-in-hole-ing (I crack myself up).
