2015: A Retrospect

This year has been full of transitions.  I left a job, returned to Marquette, left Marquette (again) and moved to Minneapolis.  I started a new job at St. Catherine University and a PhD program at the University of Minnesota.  I left my friends who became family in Milwaukee and had to start fresh (thankfully, Minneapolis is full of good people, so I'm thankful to have already started to make some lasting relationships).  I have had to adjust to knowing that seeing all my best friends either means long drives (5+ hours) or taking a flight.  I haven't been a flight away from home really ever (except some summer internships) and realized I took for granted the luxury of driving home or having my family visit for the weekend.  I love being back in school, but forgot how much time it truly takes to do all of my readings and paper writing.  I did my best to stay balanced, but realized in the midst of all of this transition, I don't do well with keeping my workouts (my new fitbit is keeping me accountable and I'm turing it around!).  I love being in a new city, but forgot how it takes time not only to make friends, but just to learn our surroundings.  What's the best coffee shop in Minneapolis you may ask?  I don't know.  I have an idea, but I haven't gotten to explore enough (it's hard to do when you're working full time AND going to school full time).  We are relishing in this winter break.

And when I say we, I mean me and Bill.  This has been my constant this year, my relationship with not only someone I love very much, but one of my best friends.  We've had many adventures this year: we traveled to San Fransisco, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Darlington, Fairhope, and made the move to Minneapolis.  We both started new graduate programs and have weathered the transition together.  We won trivia several times, solved a Sherlock Holmes case, visited Minnehaha Falls, and joined a co-op.  I couldn't be more thankful to have him right here with me and knowing that soon we we feel more settled into our new home.  We will have more time to discover our favorite spots; it doesn't all happen at once.  We will have our "go-tos" and our community.  It just takes time. 

Tonight we're staying in and having a nice quiet NYE (and happy birthday, Bill!).  We got Chinese food from a place called Rainbow Chinese (it's won a ton of Best Of Minneapolis awards, so let us treat you there when you come visit us).  Not only is Chinese food the perfect thing to eat on New Year's, the meal always ends on a high with the fortune cookie.  As I opened my cookie, my fortune read, "You will always be surrounded by those who love you."  Even though 2015 was full of change, I have to remind myself that I've had a great support network of family, friends, and of course, Bill.  

So, 2016... I'm ready for you.  Not only will I be up for adventure, I know that I will be surrounded by people with whom I get to share in these adventures.