Where were you when you heard that Donald Trump was going to be the next president of the United States? I was alone in my apartment in my Miami thinking, “Is this real?” while aggressively chugging pinot grigio. For many Americans, that day and that moment will be something to remember and to speak of for the rest of their lives.

Challenging/wonderful moments like these, depending on whom you’re speaking to, are the standouts of 2016. This year will go down in history, and several people are looking forward to the end of this horrible, horrific, blasphemous year. An overwhelmingly large number of celebrities have died, couples have broken up, and the political system and the beliefs that go with it are being rocked like never before. While I can’t deny that 2016 has been a shock to the body, I feel like a whole new person, and a more awakened one at that, after my experiences during this year. It really didn’t seem all that awful. Some of it felt good.

I started off my year with deep anxiety about my upcoming semester abroad. I knew it was going to be an amazing experience, but there was no way to predict exactly how much it would change me. And as I’ve posted throughout the first few months of the year, it did just that. I traveled Europe, experienced new cultures, made wonderful friends, and have gained a confidence that I didn’t truly know I needed. Aix-en-Provence, and the adventures that went with it, will always hold a place in my heart.

The summer taught me about what I wanted for my future. My internship experience opened my eyes to what I was seeking in a career, and how to eventually find work life balance. I was able to live in Chicago (well, the suburbs) once again and reunite with the city that I’ve grown up with. I realized that as fun as Miami is, it could never compare to the Midwest charm that Chicago has nailed. I’m unsure if I’ll end up spending the rest of my life in Chicago, but I know that I’ll always be greeted by the Windy City with open arms. The job search on the other hand is still continuing. I haven’t found what I am looking for or if I am really sure I’m headed in the right direction, but I have slowed down and realized that this is a big deal! I want to make sure that whatever I end up doing is the right fit. It is definitely a journey, and as of now it seems that some of the pieces are beginning to come together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My fall semester at Miami was difficult in the beginning, mostly because I had gone from seemingly easy classes to intense business ones. But what was harder than the course work was adjusting to activities again. I had forgotten just how involved I was with my sorority before I left, and that when I came back it seemed like everything was focused around that. Developing a balance took a bit of time, but once it was there I felt at home again. I had wild times with friends exploring new parts of Miami, calm(ish) times with friends traveling through Disneyworld, and did a little schoolwork in there too.

The biggest surprise of the year for me was the election result. I genuinely had no idea that Donald Trump was even a possibility as President. I was so naïve. The election exposed me to ideas across the country I didn’t think existed, but now I feel stronger for it. I feel stronger because I am not afraid to say what I think. Before I cowered in fear that people would argue with what I had to say, but now I feel empowered to, respectfully, discuss what I believe. I feel prepared to take a stand for what I believe in and become a more actively involved citizen. I guess this is part of growing up, but it came to me as a slap in the face in the early hours of November 9^th. It will be absolutely interesting to see how the next year unfolds, but through the numerous gifts that 2016 gave me, I am confident that 2017 will be a wonderful year.