2017 has been a year of amazing moments. Many for the first time and many for the last. Looking back on this incredible year I can only smile at the amount of growth and knowledge I have obtained in just 12 months. It was part of my new year's resolution for 2017 to be more reflective on moments in my life and to not take things for granted. And you know what, I feel like I obtained that this year.
From the beginning of the year we have watched our country do amazing things but also terrible things as well. Terrorist attacks, ISIS threats, gunmen opening fire in churches and concerts have occurred in the last few months. But no matter where we stand with President Trump, I can say I see this country coming together under the crazy we've been left in. Change is coming. The women's march in January was a phenomenal event and I am so very proud to be a feminist that stands alongside my fellow women through the trials life has thrown at us. We are stronger because we are together. We have to keep our national parks safe and stand up to the bullies before us.
I got to see my first snow fall at Berry when I arrived back on campus to kick off my second semester sophomore year and an amazing 2017 and crazy enough, that's exactly how the year ended as well. Watching all the Floridian's whom have never seen a snow fall was an event in its self, let me tell you. We were able to start 2017 off at Berry in the snow and I ended my fall semester at Berry in the snow - what a crazy year.
Berry kept me on my toes with Casino Night, Skate Nights, Formal and more throughout spring semester. My best friend in the whole wide world came to visit me not just once, but twice in the spring and share all the things I love about this school for a few weekends. I'm excited for her to come back in 2018.
When lent rolled around, I decided I would write 40 letters to 40 people to let them know how much they mean to me. It was a chance for me to reflect on friendships and use my words for good. Sometimes I forget to tell people how much they mean to me before it's too late. Or I just don't think about it. Just because words aren't my thing doesn't mean they aren't theirs. I have tried to tell people the truth and honor my commitments both to others and to myself, and lent was a great way to reflect this.
Spring Break came and Kas and I hoped in the car to drive to Florida for the week. We went to the beach, explored St. Augustine, ventured through Disney World, and danced on a few tables in downtown Orlando for Kassie's 21st. Just an average white girl's Spring Break am I right? I spent a whole week "Keepin up with the Jones'" and man that was fun.
For Easter I went home to Lexington for the first time since Christmas Break. Keeneland was running the Spring Races and I brought Cassi, Kellie, and Alli home with me as well. We adventured around Kentucky for a few days before heading back down to the bubble to get through the last few weeks of classes. Nonie cooked more than enough food, we gossiped about life, and it was a great break right before the crazy of the last two weeks.
I traveled to ATL where I met Sherri Hill with Laura, Nonie, Katherine, and Grandma. We spent the day looking at wedding dresses and watched Sherri hand sketch Laura's soon to be wedding dress. Man that was cool. I was able to show them around Berry the next day, which they were amazed of course. Getting to share this place I get to call home with some of the most important people in my life is an amazing thing.
When May kicked off, the Class of 2017 graduated and I watched some of my closest friends walk across that stage. The sadness, let me tell ya. But then, it was summer! Saying goodbye to some of my best friends as they go on to bigger and better things was hard, but that's exactly what life is all about. They are doing bigger and better things! Thank goodness for social media or I might have cried a little more.
Then, what was probably the best summer of my life began and it was one adventure after another. If you followed my blog at all this summer you would know I was all over the place. I took every chance I could to say "yes" and just go. I kicked off the summer by heading to Alabama to go hiking, Kennesaw to go line dancing, and chilling in Rome just to find Graeter's ice cream. Yes, Kroger in Rome, Ga. sell's Graeter's ice cream. Amazing. Then the real fun began. The last weekend in May I ventured to the Carolina's for my mom's best friend's wedding and to stay at my roommate Mac's house for a few days. A quick trip, but a lot of fun. I even met her Goat, Freckles. Cool right?
Next thing you know I'm hopping on a plane to head out to California for two weeks to see LBB get married and move my sister out of her apartment. We went sight seeing, ran wedding errands, and did a lot of crazy stuff including getting lost at Universal which I'm not really sure how we did that but it's fine... before I came back to Berry for a few weeks. Then I was off to D.C. for the NSDAR conference for a week to represent this school I love and the people I love. Honestly, D.C. is one of the coolest places I have ever been too. That was amazing and I can't wait to go back some day.
Returning to Berry I celebrated the fourth at Dr. Briggs' house, went to another conference in ATL, saw Stone Mountain for the second time in my life, white water rafting and surprised my parents a week before our NYC trip. Then it was off to New York to see my sister in Generation Me. Man do I love love love NYC. We saw Hamilton (AMAZING), Imagine Dragons, and Bandstand in a quick weekend trip. Next thing you know I'm off to Florida to visit Cassi in Boca for a relaxing week before the crazy of junior year begins. It was truly the best summer of my life.
August rolled around and Viking Venture kicked off with the new incoming class of students. I met my amazing 15 freshmen that I just adore with all my heart. I began working for the local radio station broadcasting Berry Football and spending much needed time with my friends. Mountain Day Weekend, Parent's Weekend, Volleyball games (both home and away) made fall one heck of a season.
Once again, Kassie came home with me for the third year in a row to Kentucky. My brother had his wedding reception, we went to Keeneland, and I took her to see High Bridge, Kentucky.
By December my heart is so full. My family is amazing, getting your wisdom teeth out sucks, but overall I have made the most of 2017. I traveled far and wide across the United States, I turned 21 years young, my parents are back to living in Kentucky, and so much more. It's been a rollercoaster of emotions but its been a fun and thrilling ride. I only hope that 2018 is half as good as 2017 and we'll be set.
-- Lex --