I'll tumbl for you...

Today, of course, is New Years Eve. So it’s time to reflect on the past year, as I like to do.

2011… you sure were interesting. Started off the year with the best NYE celebration I’ve ever had… apples to apples and a jug of sangria with a few close friends. Celebrated my 28th birthday with a silly dance party with the undergrads. Dealt with drama and gossip and immature people. Gave a KICK-ASS graduate recital. Got an A in Shenker, and passed my comps and orals with flying colors, resulting in another 4.0 semester. GRADUATED WITH MY MASTERS DEGREE. Had a relaxing and wonderful Carbondale summer spent with friends and co-workers; sunset concerts, fun drinks at Key West, Garden of the Gods, and too many laughs at Subway to recount. Made a hilarious roadtrip with team Stuiblepirateman up for a ridiculous Titmas weekend. Got a great part and had an interesting time in “Chicago.” Closed a chapter of my life- saying goodbye to the people who shaped my life for the past two years; the people who raised me up, who laughed and cried with me, who challenged me to be a better person and a better artist. This also meant coming back to the people who were there before— those who kept tabs on me, who supported and encouraged me when I questioned if doing this whole graduate school thing was worth it.  I accepted what it meant to be living with my parents at 28. Got a job at FCUCC, and began reevaluating and deepening my relationship with God, and what it might mean to let Him be a larger part of my life. Got a job at Red Robin, music directed at Cornwell’s. Saw some good friends do some good theater, and had quite a few fun nights around Lansing. Had friends get married, get divorced, have a baby; get sick and then get better. Took a trip back to Carbondale that made me feel like I was whole again. Got hired at LCC, and acquired a few more voice students.

So this year, like any, had its ups and its downs. It’s good times, and rough patches. I got my hopes up, only to be let down. I was hurt, deeper than I expected to be. A hurt that rattled me to the core and made me question a lot about myself. On the other hand, I had some nice surprises; was overwhelmed and humbled by the people who love me and care about me. There were times when hard work truly paid off, and times I felt that no matter what I just can’t win. I feel like this was the year of “hurry up and wait;” there was the sprint to graduation, then  the two months of “waiting it out” in Carbondale. Then there was the rush to move back to MI, then the anticipation of seeing what was in store for me here. It was a year of big changes, and while that usually means excitement, this time it was a little scary. Because none of these changes had immediate results or clear-cut answers. These changes are all small steps to what’s in store for me in the future. So here’s to a 2012 of embracing these changes. My resolution is to take what I’ve been blessed with and putting it to better to use— to making better use of myself. :)