2007

So wow, looking back, 2007 has been pretty mental.

Last semester of university I took a bollocking. BUT it was GREAT! I probably had the best time I've ever had in my life, and I think my friends in Riley could attest to that. Yeah, I probably pulled about 2 all-nighters a week, but I had a damn good time doing it with some of the best people I'll probably ever meet! It is hopefully the closest I'll come to consistent deliriousness. I also had a great time with the two jobs I had at The Observer and Legends. Not only did I get to do some fun non-academic work, I also made some money (which was massively handy when purchasing a laptop and a plane ticket to London). And then I graduated. I am still a bit awed by the fact that I am a college graduate. I feel so lucky, really. So many people take it for granted. But not everyone gets to do it.

Summer in Chicago was a blasty. I had a design job! Deerfields Bakery was an experience. Good design experience with Paula, the Typography Queen, and an amazingly fun time with Vanessa. I honestly would not have made it without Vanessa. And I was really happy that we got to hang out outside of Deerfields as well. Drinking for free at Duffy's was probably a bad decision every time haha!

I also got to live with Eric (my brother) which was fun. Booze Foos will never die. We probably drank about 5 nights a week on average (although, one of which was along with wings, and the other of which was along with bowling).

Then September came, and it was time to leave. My going away party in Chicago was great. Classy versus Trashy, what a great theme! And then there was South Bend. Which was a blast again! My birthday party there (graciously hosted by Shannon, Carolina, and Sara) was SO MUCH FUN! It was cool to have several different groups of my ND friends come together and have a good time. It was really nice seeing my friends at ND again as well. They always show me a good time. And then there was NYC. Road tripping with Eric is ridiculously fun. We get on so well, and I think that because we both have such an interest in learning and exploring life, that traveling together always goes really well. Hopefully we will get to do it more in the future. It was also amazing getting to stay with ND alums that I graduated with. Besides being excited to hang out with them, it also made me proud to see them sorting their lives out. And what better place to do it than NYC. Oh, I know, LONDON! haha!

Which brings me to my next section. I've already written a bit about London in a previous post. It's really been amazing, and I realize now, after being here for 3 months, that if I hadn't done this, I would be kicking myself. I've been learning so much. About London, England, America, Europe, myself, humans, religion, mental states, etc. Being somewhere I am not used to just makes me feel alive and stimulated. I have made a great new friend as well, Kelly. It is so important that we have had each other during this experience, and we've become great friends. She has really enhanced my time here. I am exicted for the second half of my stay. As of now, the plan for when my visa expires is a trip to continental Europe for a bit, then back to England to visit the Lake District (look it up, it's gorgeous), and then back to the states.

I am so excited about 2008. It seems like 2007 was still a bit scripted as far as I'm concerned. What with school, knowing I would be in Chicago for the summer, and then once I knew I was going to London, that was sorted as well. Right now, all I have sorted is through the end of March. Everything from there forward is a blurry fog. And I love that. I think what makes it OK is that I have so many options. And that are all equally great. I don't want to talk about them too much yet, so as not to set anything in stone. But life is moving along spectacularly.

And so in the current moment, as I sit here writing this blog, I don't think I could be happier. I really have everything I could want. Sure, I could have one more pair of pointy toe shoes or another pair of skinny jeans. But really, I have amazing friends, family, and the experiences that I have gained and am gaining are just simply incredible.

I hope that everyone can realize that it is important to always pursue whatever you want for your life, and not what anyone else wants. When it comes to what is most important to you, and to the advancement of your life, a bit of selfishness is necessary. Though cliche, you do only live once, and these years while you are young and still have a limited amount of responsibility are such a great time to let go of your inhibitions and do what you feel you should do instead of what you think you should do. Follow heart not mind, and just live like you are destined to take over the world. Most importantly, have fun. Every day. Every hour. Every minute. And if you aren't having fun in what you're doing, do something else that is fun.

UGH, enough sappy talk!

Thanks for reading.

Cheers to 2008!