2016, what a year

2016- 

Some would say it hasn't been a great year, and in many aspects, it was pretty bad; but in SOME it was awesome. Let me tell you why, in spite of all of the bad things that happened, why it was also such a great year to look back on: 

-I rung in my New Year on a train from Chicago to Portland. I got to finally see Crater Lake, drive the Columbia River Gorge and the Oregon Coast, and meet some great people all along the way. 

-I was introduced to the restaurant The Pan. 

-I got to run base camp again for the second season of Casual and work with great people that I’ve come to adore. 

-I finally saw the Book of Mormon with my roommates

-I got another tattoo.

-I got to go to Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Denmark, and Sweden with my best friends and it was the trip of a lifetime. 

-Thomas went to a Missy Higgins concert with me

-After 4 years of living in LA I finally went to Santa Barbara. 

-I volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and helped build a house

-Finally went to Knotts Berry Farm for the first time. 

-I got to run base camp again for my all time favorite show Superstore. Friendships were made,  friendships were grown, laughter was had, television was made. 

-I got to see Adele live and in concert 3 times. THREE TIMES. What a dream. I am so lucky. 

-I took a road trip in Northern California to see the Redwoods and drive the Avenue of the Giants. They were beautiful. 

-I took a 24 hour speed trip through New York City. What a great city.

-Finally ate a Philly Cheese Steak in Philly. 

-Visited Baltimore and got to hang out with my cousins, Kaycee and Hannah. 

-I got accepted to join the DGA and am on the third area and commercial qualification list.

-I was the 1st AD for my first two AD projects that counted towards my AD days. (And 1st AD’d for the first time)

-Me and the roommates finally redecorated our living room by getting rid of 2 couches, 2 chairs, a bar with 2 bar stools, and got a brand new sectional couch, an entertainment unit, another unit for our kitchen, and mounted our tv. It’s like a whole new place! 

-I did an escape room with some friends and co-workers. We were so close to making it out alive. So close. But, we ended up being gassed by our captive. What a fun afternoon. 

-I got to go home for Thanksgiving for the first time in at least a few years. 

-I went to Iceland and explored ice caves, glaciers, waterfalls, and black sand beaches. 

-I finally saw the Northern lights. 

-Got to spend another Christmas surrounded by my family who were all healthy and alive. I love them all very much. 

Wowee. Can you even imagine someone saying 2016 wasn’t a great year? So many firsts, even some seconds. It was a blast. I am so lucky to live the life I do. I love almost every minute. AND I didn’t even mention all the TV that I watch! So many great shows this year too! ;) As I start thinking about 2017 and what all it has to offer, I encourage anyone reading this to make 2017 their best year yet, as I will try to strive for that as well. And here is how: do what makes you happy. Do what makes you laugh. Travel more. Be kind more. Be compassionate more. Volunteer more. Hang out with your friends more. Hang out with yourself more. Do something that will challenge you. Do something that will make you uncomfortable. Make a new friend. Talk to strangers. Challenge your beliefs and why you believe them. Spend a whole day on your couch binge watching a tv show. Live the life you’ve always dreamed and don’t let anything stop you. 2017 is going to be a great year, it has big shoes to fill. 


addendum: I wrote this on a plane before Iceland. I am so glad I didn't have to go back and take out that I saw the Northern Lights. God bless.