Year in Review

Happy 2014! It’s hard to believe another year has come and gone already. 2013 has been a great year for me. In fact, as I’ve thought about the last 12 months, I think I’d happily concur it was my best year yet! Here is a little bit of my “Year in Review”!

The first thing that came to mind when I thought of 2013 was, of course, my BYU European Study Abroad. I went on my Study Abroad from April 30 – June 7. I went to Greece, Italy, Austria, Germany, France and England. It’s been the best decision I made in the 4 years I’ve been at Brigham Young University. I’m so grateful for my outstanding professors, Heather and James, and their families, knowledge and experiences they shared with me and my peers. I’m grateful for each of the cultures I visited, the people I met, the art I viewed, the food I tasted, the friendships I made. In the words of Melina, I caught the “travel bug”! I can’t wait to see WHERE I go in 2014! And I can’t wait until I step back into magnificent Rome, romantic Florence, charming Paris and enchanting London.

 

 

My original plans had me graduating with my bachelor’s degree in Art History and Curatorial Studies in December 2013. However, there was a little misunderstanding with my credits so the cap and gown will have to wait until April. However, I did complete my Senior Thesis this December. I delivered my thesis, along with 12 others of my peers, in the BYU Museum of Art. The title of my thesis was “The Battle of Generations: The Response to Homosexuality in the Art Work of Trevor Southey”. I’m pleased with how it went and it’s certainly a relief to start a semester without that bad boy weighing down on my shoulders. And it’s certainly fun to think my REAL last “first day of school” begins Monday. Hooray for only 4 more months!!

After I finished presenting my thesis, we took some pictures at the museum and then went to Goodwoods for dinner. Yum-yum! 

 

Some of my best friends got married in 2013 and it’s been great fun to see my dear "soul sisters" so very happy. It’s neat to see where each of us goes; from meeting at 18 to meeting on the front steps of the temple for wedding pictures. Congratulations to you all! I can’t wait to see where each of you go in the future!

I’m so thrilled for these two who became OFFICALLY married in December. What a wonderful way to end 2013! Congratulations ladies! :)

 

My bucket list is a big deal to me and I have to brag for just a moment. I knocked off 19 goals on my list. Woot-woot! Now only 132 “to do’s” to go! **List also VERY subject to change as I think of more activities to do!! ;)

Of course, I couldn’t talk about 2013 without mentioning a little bit of my most favorite time of the year! Indeed, the holiday season is this girl’s happiest, most cheerful month of all 365 days of the year. I absolutely adore Christmas time! I love shopping for presents, the twinkling lights, the Christmas tree lit up, wrapping gifts with shiny paper and sparkly ribbon. I love the Christmas music, the Christmas movies, the overall feeling of greater love and charity to others. When Christmas morning finally arrives, I become the little girl who excitedly awaits for her parents to wake so she can see what Santa Clause delivered in her stocking. Once again, my family was exceptionally blessed this Christmas. We were all able to be together by the end of Christmas day. Dad, mom, Melina and I woke up late Christmas morning and had a delicious breakfast. After which, our day was pretty low key until about 7 p.m., when Mark, Elise and Jacob finally arrived. We gathered at the table for an excellent Christmas dinner including Honey Baked Ham, “stringy potatoes”, steamed vegetables, homemade rolls and strawberry pretzel salad. Christmas dinner is my FAVORITE dinner of the whole entire year. I’m serious; I look forward to it ALL YEAR LONG. Yummy!! After we ate, we unwrapped Christmas gifts. Santa and Mrs. Clause got me a cricket. And no, not the insect, the scrapbooker’s, card maker’s, crafty’s woman’s dream!! It’s really just beautiful. I’m on a scrapbook HIGH now. It’s been such fun. Melina framed my oil painting I bought in Florence and I can’t wait to put it up in my apartment! I’m thankful to have more books to contribute to my bookshelf too. One of the best gifts of the year was having my sister and brother-in-law here and my favorite little guy, Jacob. He turned 18 months on Christmas Day and he is a busy little boy. I sure love him and I love his kisses even more! I'm also very grateful to have spent some much needed time with Melina and my parents. It was an EXCELLENT day!!

 
Over the break, we’ve had lots of chances to play. Grandma and Grandpa babysat Jacob and the 4 of us kids saw Saving Mr. Banks. I recommend it! It’s a good one. We’ve had some time to go shopping, play lots of games and do some much needed relaxing. No complaints here!

My family celebrated New Year’s Eve with a homemade Chinese dinner. My mama sure can cook because it was delicious! After we put Jacob to bed, dad, Melina, Mark, Elise and I played Disney Monopoly. Melina won by a landslide! We welcomed in a New Year very quietly, but still very enthusiastically. Our first day in 2014 was spent together as a family sledding up Little Cottonwood Canyon. We found a PREMO spot! We’ve already agreed we’ll go there again next year. It was Jacob’s first year and I think we’ve concluded that after a few cautious runs, he likes the snow! 

 

I don’t have any more pictures to share or significant “events” to articulate. And too much of my 2013 has been a quilt of personal experiences threaded with newly founded confidence and self-respect. I’m comfortable with my love for art, for nice things and a calm life. I’m at ease with my need for a clean and well-organized (and clearly labeled) home, for my unrealistic notions that fairy tales still exist and my satisfaction with Friday night movies with hot cocoa and fire places. I’m happy with who I am and where I’m going. I’m grateful for the relationships I have and I look forward to the new ones to come in the future. I’m looking forward to 2014 and the exiting adventures that lie in store! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Loves!