Hello, 2015!

I can’t believe how fast 2014 flew by. It’s been quite a year. When I think of all the things I’ve done, all the obstacles I’ve faced, and all the places/friends I’ve visited, it’s overwhelming.Through all the ups and downs I’ve always felt immensely blessed. God has truly seen me through one heck of a year. Here are just some highlights from 2014.

January:

I traveled to Europe for a study abroad trip and visited Budapest, Amsterdam, Hamburg, and London. I absolutely loved my time in these cities and long to go back.

February:

My beloved Abuelo passed away. I can’t begin to describe how much his love and support shaped my life. His influence is so present in his children and grandchildren and I strive to have a faith as strong as his.

March:

I had a piece published in World Literature Today‘s March issue about my time visiting the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam.
Traveled to Cali: visited LA and then drove up the Pacific Coast Highway (side note: absolutely GORGEOUS) to San Fran. #LastSpringBreakTrip
I helped out with World Literature Today’s 2014 Puterbaugh Festival honoring Andrés Neuman. It was a blast to meet all the authors and take photographs.

April

Said goodbye to my sister who moved to Japan to teach English. Funny to see that out of the two of us she would be the one to move to another country. But I’m so proud of her and how much she’s challenged herself and grown.

May

Successfully finished writing/editing my novel, passed my defense, and then graduated with my master’s degree in Professional Writing.
Moved out of my apartment in Oklahoma and said goodbye to my roommate of 2 years.
Also said goodbye to the longest place I’ve ever lived: Oklahoma with 6.5 years.

June

Moved to Indianapolis, IN.
Started my second publishing internship with Pearson. (I also interned with them last summer) It was great to return and work as a Project Editor Intern.

July

Had one of my Buzzfeed posts promoted to the FRONT PAGE of their website: 18 Quirky Literary Items You Can Buy On Etsy.
Said goodbye to my childhood pet lizard, Kevin, a Blue Tongue Skink. We were tight for 12 years and I was sad to see him go, but I rehomed him because of my uncertain job/living status.

August

Moved to BROOKLYN, NY.
Started volunteering for the Floating Library, a pop-up literary and public space exhibition. I helped launch their Twitter/Instagram pages. I met so many awesome people during my first few months in NYC because of this experience.
Joined a fabulous new Church, Liberty Church, started setting down roots, and embraced a new community.
Had a second Buzzfeed post promoted to their front page: 16 Gloriously Zany Temporary Tattoos.

October

Started a temp job as a Video Assistant for Pearson. It was awesome to be working with the video team again.

November

I scored a ticket for the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and got to be on the show.
Met Neil Gaiman. He was as delightful in person as he is on twitter.
Traveled to Texas/Oklahoma for Thanksgiving – saw all of my extended family, well, all that were in the country.

December

Traveled to Texas/Oklahoma to spend Christmas with my family.

This year has been one for the books. I can’t believe how blessed I am. I had so many wonderful opportunities to see old friends and make new ones. I also traveled SO much this year and that was awesome. It was also a hard year with lots of goodbyes and tough decisions.

I’d probably say the most drastic/biggest change this year was my decision to pack up everything I could carry in my sedan and drive across the country to move to New York. But as tough as that decision was, it’s honestly been one of the best and I’m so excited to see what 2015 brings in this new city.

Here’s to the new year!