The Adventures of 2014

So 2014 is officially over.

The end of a year always comes as a shock to me. I feel like the beginning of the school year was yesterday, summer the week before, and the new year only a month ago. It’s strange how things that felt so long during their time suddenly seem like they came to pass only a few moons ago.

Around the closing of each year, I typically have the same thought, “How can the year be over? I’ve barely accomplished anything.” But I’ve found that when I begin to look back on the year, I remember numerous wonderful things that happened during its time that I had forgotten about. Sure there are rough parts of each year, but there are also oh, so many great parts. And they deserve to be remembered and deeply cherished.

So I have compiled a list (in no particular order) of the delightful things that happened this (past) year. I figure this will also be a great thing to look back on in the future.

1. New Zealand. This was obviously the first thing that came to mind. The greatest trip (and maybe two weeks) of my life ever occurred this year. I sailed. I bungeed. I saw Prince William and Kate Middleton (more on that later). I met people I hope to know for many years. I adventured. I explored. I smiled. 

Oh, how I smiled.

Directing the sailboat with one hand and holding Coca-Cola with the other. The way it should be.

2. I changed schools. Although, this was one of the hardest things I did this year, it was also one of the best. I took a leap in the dark and decided to start this school year in a completely unfamiliar environment. And I’m so glad I did. I’ve met some wonderful people. I’ve been taught by some of my favorite teachers. And most of all, I have rediscovered my great love for—simply—learning.

3. I grew closer with my family. This didn’t quite become apparent to me until recently. Just today, I was riding in the car and joking with my brother when I turned to him and said, “I like us better together now that we’re older. We’re much funnier and understand more inappropriate jokes.” He laughed and quickly agreed before returning to making fun of my parents and being stupid with me.

I have also gotten very close with my parents. My mom and I share pointless, weird stories 24/7, and my father and I bond through survival gear, cars, and talk of sailing. We are all very open and ridiculous with each other, and it brings me great joy. Lastly, I've gotten to stay at my sister and brother-in-law's house several times this year, and I am so glad for the extra time I was able to spend with them.

4. I started driving my truck. Yadah! This makes me extremely happy. For my 16th birthday, my father surprised me with a 1951 chevy truck, knowing I've been obsessed with old trucks since I was very young. For almost exactly a year, we restored it together. In August, I began to drive it as my everyday-car. I cherish the time we spent together in the car shop, and I know I will continue to for the rest of my life.

My first picture with her, right after being completely surprised.

5. Jekyll Island. I visited with my parents back in an especially freezing January, and it was wonderful spending some time with them and exploring beautiful beaches.

6. Myrtle Beach. My family and I spontaneously left with no place to stay, and it turned out be a lovely little excursion. While in Myrtle Beach, an enormous, and seemingly never-ending, lightning storm occurred. At midnight that night, I sat on the beach with my mother and just watched the storm and listened to music. It was one of my favorite nights of the year.

This only conveys a tiny portion of the majestic-ness of the lightning.

7. I (almost) became an aunt. Now, this one is kind of cheating, because I won’t be an aunt until February. I feel as though it needs to be counted as this year, though. After all, life starts at conception, so technically I already am an aunt to Caleigh Autumn Richmond.

8. Concerts! I love love love concerts. This year I went to so many, truly amazing shows: A Great Big World, Lindsay Sterling, Ed Sheeran, One Direction & 5 Seconds of Summer, Miranda Lambert, and Hunter Hayes. They were all truly amazing, and I still have Post Concert Depression. My goodness, I wish I could go to a million more concerts, but they are so expensive. I just adore them.

9. Carrie returned. One of my best friends (who has already appeared on this blog) returned from living in the Netherlands for two years, and I am so glad to be able to cuddle and be jolly with her once more.

10. Summer of the lake. This summer seemed to be the time of the lake. My great friends Lizzy and Olivia both celebrated their birthdays at the lake, and so did I. It was wonderful. I love being around water and great friends (also including the lovely, Mary Claire) as much as possible.

That also brings me to say, that I've grown even closer with them, and anytime we are together I have ridiculous amounts of fun.

From Left: Lizzy, Olivia, Me, Carrie, Mary Claire

11. Archery. Piano. Photography. This year seemed to be the year of trying new things. I picked up archery just a few weeks ago, and I have really enjoyed learning various (very easy) songs on the piano. My passion for photography has been around since I was a little tot, but I have definitely focused a lot more on improving the skill this year.

12. GoldRush. My church holds a Christian camp every summer, and churches from all across the country come to worship God together, do missional work, and just have fun. What's extremely special about the camp is it's completely set up and run by students. This year I was the News show host along with my friend, Travis. We reported every day to 1000 students, and I even did a lip-sync battle with the MC on the last day of the camp. It was a wonderful experience, and I urge you to look up the lip-sync battles on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon if you don't understand what they are. They're hilarious and so is Jimmy.

13. Dad's business turned around. Last year and early this year my dad's company seemed to be on the verge of closing, but this year the business was tremendously successful in comparison. This relieved a lot of stress on my family, especially on my dad.

14. Climbed a 100-foot tree upside down. Simple as that. And yes, it was as fun as it sounds.

15. And now I'm currently at Edisto Beach with my family on another spontaneous adventure. We'll see what this little trip brings us. It has already been full of laughter, ridiculous jokes, and exploring.

~~~

Now, I urge you to take a few minutes and think of the great things that happened this past year. You may be surprised of the many things that can happen in only 365 days. I sure was.

I truly hope you have a splendid year in 2015. I dare you to be more spontaneous than usual, wake up a few times to see the sunset, sit next to someone you usually wouldn't and strike up a conversation, go out of your way to help and be kind to others, drink more hot tea, write in a journal, learn how to defend yourself, and make this year a memorable one.

Talk to you next year.

Disclaimer: I meant to post this on New Year's Eve, so act like the reference to "next year" actually make sense. :)