I think everyone of us had some big dream, goal, hope for 2016. Those last few weeks of 2015 made it seem like 2016 would be a different year, our year, the year everything would change. Every one of us was right, but I think many of us thought it would be a positive difference and I think 2016 ended up kicking quite a few of us, even when we were already down.
Every year I do this note to highlight some of the many things this past year has brought me. Its fun to look back at these. To remember and see how far I’ve come, ten years ago I met my best friend, eight years ago I was engaged, and six years ago was the year of concerts. But here we are, this year, 2016, about to end. As always I’m thankful for new friends and old, for all the challenges I’ve faced and new adventures that came. This year has been rough, I’ve cried a lot, I’ve slept little, and here I am. Because no matter how hard it gets, or what I throw myself into I will never stop fighting. There has been some surprising good too, new life, new friendships, and new attitudes.
January
· The year started in a museum. The Sherlock Holmes exhibit at DMNS with Cori, Jonathan, Natalie, and Chris. A well designed exhibit fun for all ages. I can think of no better place to have started the year.
· I returned to Dundee with faith of only a few months before a return home.
· Our group reunited in Dundee for second semester. All still a little shell shocked from first semester we had all the hope second semester would be better.
· Laure, Emily and I made a day trip to Glasgow to see Taylor Chaulk who was studying this semester in England. Laure showed us the city and Emily and I drug her to the necropolis.
February
· The adventuring continued with a long weekend. Desiree rented a car and we set off for the Highlands with Anna, Emily B, Susie and I. From the mountains of Glenco, to Loch Ness, Bow Fiddle rock and round the coast back to Dundee we concurred a lot in a few days. We ended our long weekend (Monday) with Susie, Desiree, Emily M and I exploring Sterling and the surrounding area. This whole adventure was once in a lifetime. You spend decades trying to find friends like this. I just had to travel 4500 miles to a new country for a once in a life time program.
· I turned 27= I had dinner alone, got some awesome gifts and joked with some great friends.
· Laure, Emily and I went to the club…..I’m just as surprised as you are.
· T-rex Tuesday became the saving grace for Susie, Emily and I as the semester kicked us. We started to realize why Amy didn’t remember first semester. You suppress the bad with the worse.
· Even donuts couldn’t defuse the tension in the flat. And three of us did not need to eat a whole box of donuts.
March
· Two words = MOCK TRAILS.
· Emily Susie and I had our first movie adventure. With a hill of death and food coma.
· We flew kites, did the Holi festival on campus, and had so many SBflat63 moments in the kitchen, and shared Mulan with Emily.
· Dad announced he would not be running for reelection. After 24 years of serving the people of Wyoming he was done.
April
· Bieber Fever Party…..ya…..that happened.
· Emily and I went in search of meteors and instead found an otter.
· Second semester kicked us but having almost a whole month for “Spring Holiday” to work on things was helpful. We survived and completed the course for certificate.
· Serious Fish!
May
· Day trips and night trips, Dundee Law, nearby park, the quay, otter hunting and bunny feeding.
· Take a break from studying and travel local. Emily, Susie and I went to St. Andrews to see where royal romance began and some famous golf course.
· Laure’s dad came to visit. I talk to fast, Anna scares him with the carbs of a single meal, and Malebo becomes more active in SBflat63 then some of those who live there.
· The start of third semester and our individual projects. There was so much to do while still in Dundee on top of preparing to return home. I planned my project and got the digital component done.
· Penguin Parade and Pandas Emily and I went to the Edinburgh Zoo
June
· A new camera for graduation and to finish my project I’m very glad to have a new means of expression.
· Coming home and heading straight to the art supply store. I had a dead line of July first and still needed to sculpt, photograph, and cast. The date didn’t work out and the chemical burns were a special treat.
· Buffalo every summer three days two nights with Jaella. It’s all the time we can spend together, but it’s all our friendship needs, exploring Wyoming with my best friend.
· Maternity photos with Robyn and the whole crazy crew, purple hair, Muppet adventures.
July
· Vogue Family Day trips make the best memories even with the rain.
· Fourteen years with Barb! This was a rough year with Reid. But faith, love, prayer, what have you does a lot to help a person.
· Finished my project, packed for my Scottish return and sent the written work off for publishing.
August
· The final trek across the pond and month of great adventure. Project complete and in tow I returned straight into setup and meetings. Presentation, set up, exhibition, and tear down.
· After presenting we celebrated then set up our space. Painting, plinths, drawing, hanging, vinyl, and some crazy times we did it. We were at the end.
· Having Emily there the last month was a gods sent. Both of us tense, going crazy from writing and the projects. We still had dinner, a daily check in, Tesco trips and Pokémon walks. I’m glad I had Emily to share a wall with, even if she couldn’t cook and sometimes resembled a sad panda. I hope we are friends for a life time.
· A trip down to Paris with Laure and the only thing I remember is Larue telling me she likes to watch me look at art. Ok I remember more. But Paris is probably my favorite city. The culture, the art, the cafés, the roads, the catacombs. Tensions ran high, next time I do the Louvre alone. But Larue is the sister I didn’t know I had, and am glad I found. Emily joined us part way and stayed a day longer.
· A return from Paris straight to Edinburgh and the continuing adventure. Fringe Festival made hostels expensive and Abi arrived the next morning. We met with her family for an improve show between the Oxford Imps and the Cambridge Impronaunts. We proceeded to Dundee and saw the city in a day. From the top of Law to the Unicorn then onto my exhibition opening.
· Opening night was a blur. We made it.
· After opening (and drinking too much) Abi and I began the next step of the journey. A night on the airport floor we headed to Dublin and a miserably rainy day. Ticket issues, but we still made it to Waterford where we found her family. The scenery was beautiful, the history amazing, and the whole event was one I hope no one forgets. The wedding renewal that these two amazing people had, the beautiful location, the love, friendship, faith. I’m glad these two shared even just a glimpse of it with me. I am inspired by Cathleen and Gary Weiss on many levels. I hope to one day be in the love they are, inspired by that kind of faith, and to share it with family and friends.
· I left the Weiss clan and headed back to Dublin then north on a day trip to Giants Causeway. To say beautiful doesn’t do it justice. I only wish I could have shared the adventure with Jason. His Irish roots. I based in Dublin and spent my final day seeing the city. Book of Kells, Genius, Jameson, pub food and sightseeing. I ended at the airport and return to Dundee, then monitoring the exhibition.
· We packed up, repainted, patched walls, and had many bittersweet memories with a group we’ll never forget. Trying on Jerry’s giblet, pealing letters, coloring pages the final days were hard. Saying goodbye is never easy, but I am certain it’s not forever. Someday we will all meet again. We went our separate ways, to family, internships, old jobs and new. We did it.
· Final time heading home
September
· The job search began. Questions of where my future would lead. Helping teach the Arapaho language class.
· I presented my portfolio to law enforcement around the city. Though nothing came of it, it was a great experience.
· I submitted a collection of poetry for a contest publication. I’m certain I didn’t win. Or even make the finals. But its inspired me to write more and try again.
· Lots of photography, lots of time with friends.
· Here’s where it all started to change. I’ve known for years I have a way writing that can change things. I’ve written a few letters that revealed my heart, soul, mask and that have left destruction in their wake. I don’t regret the letter I wrote this month, but I regret the loss that came from it.
· Launched my website anvj89.org
· 25 posts for Natalie’s 25th birthday.
October
· Much of the world united behind Standing Rock.
· More museum adventures with Natalie and Cori. And my parents for Venice at the DAM.
· My degree arrived in the mail, miss printed and needing to be returned. Louise was kind enough to be my contact and give it a tour of the campus before it returned to the graduation office to die and be remade correctly.
· Jason spawned life and I formally finished my graduate degree with merit.
· Here’s where it all started to change. I’ve known for years I have a way writing that can change things. I’ve written a few letters that revealed my heart, soul, mask and that have left destruction in their wake. I don’t regret the letter I wrote this month, but I regret the loss that came from it.
· Sometime this month a new friend came into my life and I am curious to see where it leads.
November
· The election rocked the world and continues to do so. I don’t know what people expected to happen. We have survived terrible presidents in the past, and will do so again no matter what Trump throws at us, we are a strong and reliant country.
· Graduation came and though I couldn’t return for the ceremony it was great seeing the photos of everyone. I miss my classmates and am truly honored to have met these amazing people. I know each of us will go on to better and change the world.
· The book slammed as Travis got arrested. And until January that all sits in limbo. The island jokes have returned as his depression lets him hang out with me. People forget that I check on them as a way to check on me.
December
· Semester ended and in the spring I’ll continue assistant teaching and will take a refresher course for art history.
· All the grad school applications are in. I don’t know if this is the path I want to take but I feel it’s the closest to get me where I need to be. A trip to Casper and Buffalo
· A movie, a dream, pizza and a whole lot of confusion. This month reminded me why I’ve been chasing the same dream so long. Why I don’t date. How I’ve gotten in my past relationships. I’m not Natalie, I don’t get in relationships by being introduced. I have a bad habit of just finding myself in them and others telling me. I still feel bad for not knowing I dated Nick for two months before someone told me. Maybe I’ll get the hang of dating, hanging out, and whatever else it is guys and girls do. Maybe not.
· My first Holiday Classic. It’s funny the two years I was on East Speech and Debate I was always away for the tournament. All though college I couldn’t judge usually due to weather and now I return 10 years later to judge for the first time.
· I miss my friend. They say if someone is your friend 7 years then its going to last forever. Maybe that’s true but what about the ones who don’t make it 7 years? For any myriad of reasons? I have apologized when I was wrong, and done my best to heal old friendships. From the Knights to the Elements I love my friends. No matter how often we talk I will do anything for my friends. But there is a line and crossing it breaks trust. I will still do all I can for you but I will no longer break myself or stretch to help those friends.
So one more day, one more step and another year to see where life will lead me next. Life is an adventure. And though I don’t know where its currently leading me I am certain it is exactly where I need to be.