#39 A 2012 Retrospective

There's something about New Year's Eve that makes everyone a little bit retrospective--or a lot retrospective in some cases. The prospect of a new year brings with it the thoughts of the year being left behind. It's impossible to move forward without acknowledging the past, and I think now is the time for me to do that! After seeing tons of Facebook statuses and tweets about 2012 in review, it's my turn to look back.

2012 was a big year for me. It was one full of ups and downs, old things and new things, and everything in between. As all of you know--partly because the majority of you were there with me--this year, I graduated from high school and began my college journey. That in and of itself is enough to constitute a big year. But more than those monumental life events, I'll remember the small things that happened this year too. I'll remember with clarity how much fun I had in the magenta-colored dress at senior cotillion in January in which my friends and I intentionally danced the opposite direction of the crowd during the line dances (yeah, yeah we line dance in Texas). I'll remember going on senior retreat in February...twice...the second time being far better than the first. I'll remember the stress I felt trying to finish the 2011-2012 yearbook for my school in March. Being an editor was certainly one of the most stressful experiences of my life. I'll remember April's senior prom that would be my last school dance and how much fun I had being with my friends for one of the classic high school experiences. Of course I'll remember wearing my Catholic school uniform for the last time and donning my red robe to  graduate from high school in May. Who could possibly forget that? I'll remember taking my first extended visit to college at orientation in June. I was probably more nervous for that than actually going to school, as weird as that sounds. I'll remember taking my last pre-college family vacation to California in July which gave me some much needed, uninterrupted family time in the midst of college preparations. I'll remember the whirlwind of a week in August that marked my last week in my hometown--a time spent staying up far too late and taking advantage of every possible moment with my friends, a time that will always stick out in my mind for more reasons than one. I'll remember September as the first full month I spent in my new home at school, making new friends and learning new things in class. I'll remember my ACL experience in October, something that is bound to become a tradition for me. I'll remember November for marking my first trip back home for Thanksgiving and how happy I was to see everyone. And I'll remember December for putting me through the stress of finals and giant relief of being done with them and making it to winter break. Of course there are plenty of other things I'll remember from the year, but those are the first that come to mind, which is bound to mean something.

Even more than actually remembering these specific events, I'll remember the lessons they taught me. I've learned to let loose and have fun, taking advantage of the time I have with the people that matter to me the most. To cherish family and friends always. That it's important to be open to new things and new people. Life is full of the new, and we have to get used to experiencing it. That we are not alone in anything we do, because there are always people around to support us. That there really is no place like home. That at the end of the day, we need to get over the bad in our lives and concentrate on the good. That it's important to cherish the good memories. That life goes on, regardless of how horrible you think it may be.

Clearly it's been a big year for me, and I want to thank you all for experiencing it with me. I started this blog in January of 2012, so you really have been with me the entire year, reading about my troubles, triumphs, and the advice I give. I can't claim to be an expert, but I can hope that I've reached someone this year. If not, that's okay, because this has been for me too. It's been a good year for me, and I only hope it has been for you too. My advice for today and for the new year is to look back with appreciation for the things that have happened in the past year and look forward with excitement and determination in the new year. Take the lessons of last year and bring them into the new year.

A goodbye to 2012, and a hello to 2013!

Wishing you a blessed new year, 

Morgan

#38 A Christmas Frame of Mind

One of my most favorite Christmas movies is without a doubt Miracle on 34th Street. If you've never seen it, stop what you're doing right now and watch it--well after you read this, anyway. I've always been a sucker for a good Christmas movie, and this one has always hit the spot in my heart. There is one quote in the movie that particularly resonates with me, and it's one I thought I would share with you on this greatest of days. It reads, "Christmas isn't just a day, it's a frame of mind." I don't know about you, but I've always thought this was beautiful, and the older I get, the more it seems to mean to me.

It seems like in the days leading up to Christmas, there is nothing but the hustle and bustle of trying to get ready for one of the biggest days of the year. Basically it is chaos. I'm sure there is not a person in the world who doesn't get stressed out about something or other during the holiday season simply because of the magnitude of it all. But all of that stress and worry is made worth it when we are able to sit back with those we love and appreciate the most. Christmas waves a sort of magic wand over the world and makes it a softer and more beautiful place. It gives us all a chance to cherish peace and goodwill and be generous with mercy. Christmas is love in action. More than just being a day, it is a state of mind filled with great peace (which is surely much needed after the mayhem in the weeks leading up to the day), goodwill (which comes through the symbolism of a beautiful gift), and abundant mercy (displayed when people are able to put aside everything to show how much they care). 

So on this most wonderful of days, I would like to wish a very Merry Christmas to you and everyone you love. I hope it is a day to remember for a lifetime--it should be if you're in the Christmas frame of mind! 

Lastly, I want to thank you all for giving me one of the greatest gifts I could ever ask for, and that is the desire and motivation to keep writing because of your continued support. I only wish I could repay each and every one of you for this precious gift. It really does mean the world to me.  

Merry Christmas to all, and to all...go watch Miracle on 34th Street! 

With love, 

Morgan

#37 When All Is Said and Done...Well For Now

Here we are, fellow first-year college students! It really is the end...of first semester that is. A semester full of news (in both the news as in "Wow I had no idea that happened!" and as in new things), full of highs from good grades, accomplishments, and an overall excitement to have gone off to college, and full of lows from, well, not so good grades and missing the people we left behind. As I sit here waiting for it to be time for the flight that will take me home fresh out of my doozy of an economics final, I can't help but be retrospective. I mean what else am I supposed to be doing? School is over and all of my stuff is packed, so why not go on a thought adventure? And while I know I've been utterly blog-negligent lately (even Facebook was kind enough to remind me yesterday that I hadn't posted anything lately and suggest that I post now), I'm back now. Here I am, crawling out from under all my books, notebooks, and notecards, ready to end this semester, this year, and start anew. But until the year starts anew, how about coming on a reflective journey with me?

In the spirit of "Things I Should've Done," I think it's appropriate to bring back the input post so I, and others of course, can see how you've come to see the college experience. So tell me, what is the most important thing you've learned about college thus far? 

"That family is everything and being separated from them makes you appreciate them a billion times more."

"Have fun with it. Everyone's going through the same stuff that you are. And don't go to college looking for your husband. Go to meet your bridesmaids. Study hard, but remember also that this is where you'll meet some of your greatest friends."

"To enjoy it. Don't over-stress or let little things get to you. Listen to your professors, make new memories, and spend time with your friends. Learn from new experiences and you'll realize that you're constantly learning more about yourself."

"Well first of all that I should study with about a week of anticipation. And that I shouldn't have taken my family for granted while I lived with them because it kind of sucks not having them around as much."

"I think just being true to yourself no matter what you're going through or how much stress you have to put up with or how much you miss home."

"Be open to new ideas, new things, and new people because [college] is the four years of your life filled with the most opportunity for experience. Don't shut anything or anyone out. Either that or don't start worrying about your GPA at the end of the semester."

"Don't be afraid to go out of your comfort zone and experience new things. You meet new people, have some great times, and get to see what all there is to do in college."

"You can do whatever you want, but you have to be willing to accept the fact that when you make a mistake there is no one else to blame but yourself. It's fun, but it teaches you how to have responsibility."

"I've learned that cafeteria food really does get old...fast."

As for me, I think the most important thing I've learned is that college isn't nearly as scary as I thought it was going to be. I'm sure all of you know how freaked out I was by the whole idea of moving away from everything I knew, but once I got over the initial shock, it became just as normal as everything else. I have friends, I have class, I have a routine--I got used to it. Sure I miss people from home and from time to time I wish I wasn't doing as much reading and studying as I have to do, but college is about growing up and learning to adapt in a new environment. Doing just that proved to be a lot easier than I expected, a fact that I was pleasantly surprised about. What have I learned? You get used to it, and you learn to love it.

With 45 minutes left until my flight departs home (granted by the time I post this I'll probably be at home, but you get the idea!), I can't help but look back with great happiness. I can tell I've learned so much already--scholastically and personally--and that makes me all the more excited to continue on the college journey. Though this is starting to have an element of finality, don't worry, I'll be back plenty of times throughout the holiday season and before I go back to school in January! For now, I'm going to shut my brain off and revel in the fact that I don't have to deal with finals anymore!