What a wild ride! To say 2016 was eventful is an understatement. The entire world was pretty much rocked this year and there are quite a few people who are happy to wave goodbye to 2016.

I’m ready for the new year as well, but not because I’m sick of it or disappointed in the result of people’s choices or because I’m mourning the death of childhood heroes. In fact, I’m just ready to get things going with my life. I feel like 2016 was the year that I became a real adult and began forging my path. Let’s take a little walk down memory lane.

Quarter of a Century

Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve looked forward to turning 25. I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s partly because 5 is my favorite number and 25 is the square of 5, is divisible by it, and has 5 in the number. Maybe I just wanted the satisfaction of knowing I’d completed 1/4 of my life. Whatever the reason, I’ve enjoyed being 25. I’m not exactly where I thought I’d be in life. I just barely graduated with my bachelor’s degree and I’m utterly single. But as I reflect on everything that has happened during the past 25 years, I can’t help feel awe at all the things I’ve accomplished so far. If the first 1/4 of my life has been this great, I’m really excited to see what the second 1/4 offers.

Graduation

In July I graduated from BYU-Idaho. That day was extremely emotional. First off, I couldn’t believe I was graduating from my dream college! I realized I wanted to attend school there in 2009, but had to wait until January 2012 before I could actually begin classes.

I’ve been made fun of for my choice to attend BYU-Idaho. I’ve heard everything from voluntarily putting myself in a Mormon bubble to people scoffing at BYU-Idaho being a terrible, “lesser than” church school. However, I can firmly say that BYU-Idaho was the best university for me to attend. While there I had so many amazing professors and classes. Bros. Babcock, Bennion, Merrill, Bird, and Pearce are at the forefront of the teachers who helped me grow, but I had a slew of other professors who taught me invaluable lessons during my time there.

I met some of my best friends at BYU-I: Sean&Jocelyn, Taylor, Bethany, Hillary, and Jared. For 6.5 months I was Relief Society president to the best group of girls in the world and had the most amazing presidency (long live 2nd Relief Society!). I went on a study abroad to England and Ireland. I stumbled into an absolutely wonderful job that helped me realize my value as a person. I was published in BYU-Idaho’s literary magazine, Outlet, and my piece won 2nd place in the poetry section!

Leaving broke my heart and sometimes I still ache for the Rexburg sunshine and grass and air. I honestly don’t know if I’ll ever visit again (I really hope I do!), but if I don’t I can smile from the knowledge that BYU-Idaho gave me some of the greatest memories and friends I’ve ever had.

Moving back to Arizona

When I left Rexburg I had to find a new home. I was ecstatic when my sister and brother-in-law agreed to let me live with them after graduation while I got on my feet and established myself. Arizona will always be home. I’d been living in other states for the past 5 years and coming back into my beautiful, familiar desert felt so good. I’m extremely happy to finally be home again after being away for so long. Living as a nomad for awhile really started to wear on me and I feel relieved that I can set down roots again – at least for the foreseeable future. I feel like I’m finally able to catch my breath.

Teaching in Tehuacán

I didn’t always have a radiant smile like that on my face while I was in Mexico! In fact, Mexico was probably the hardest time for me this year. And yet it was one of the greatest experiences that has ever happened to me so far. Yes, I realized that teaching is not the career for me, but I overcame a lot while there. I faced some of my fears and I realized for the first time that I can see things through to the end. I’m not kidding when I say I seriously contemplated giving up and coming home. I really wanted to. But my family convinced me not to. In the moment I wasn’t too happy with their encouragement to stick things out, but looking back I’m grateful I listened.

In Tehuacán I realized all over again how much I love the people of Mexico. Going to church down there reminded me so much of my mission and how I loved the people I served. I became more determined to brush up on my Spanish skills and use them more. I learned a lot about myself, as well. I’m very uptight, I demand a lot from myself, and I don’t take time to enjoy things that are new and different. Most importantly, I realized I don’t let myself be happy because I choose to look at the negative. The last month and a half I really started relaxing and enjoying everything Tehuacán had to offer. I miss being in Mexico and I miss that crazy Discovery Middle School and some of my kid’s workshop students. Most of all, I miss all of the wonderful teachers I had the privilege of getting to know. They seriously are wonderful and I’m so thankful that I went through this volunteer experience with them. I’m glad I didn’t quit.

Caspian I

Having no job and no car after my college graduation weighed heavily on me, especially when I was ending my time in Mexico. Upon returning home I bean sending out applications like crazy (still no word on the majority of them, but I also got back at a crummy time with the holidays coming up). I was in a serious catch-22 and the more the days slipped past, the more I realized I needed transportation. So I did my research, took a chance, and on the very last day of 2016, I purchased my very first car. Caspian I is a 2000 Toyota Camry, and I’m pleased with what I got. There are some very, very minor things that need to be done on it, but it’s a great first car.

For the first time in my life, I’m not really sad to see a year end. Again, I’m not happy because I hated 2016. But 2017 holds so much promise. It’s shiny and I’m excited to find out why. I’m ready to work on my goals for the year.

I’m ready to live.