Last post of the year.

Forgive the sappiness that follows. And also the length. I know everyone’s dash will be so filled with these reminiscences, but I couldn’t resist.

This is the first year’s end in a while where I’m quite accustomed to the idea of it being a new year. The last half of this year has been the fastest few months of my life, but still, so full. So much has happened. I’m still quite stunned by that.

The past 12 months have changed me — a year changes anyone. Still, I’m an entirely different girl than the one I knew last December. She was, to capitalize on my url, naiive. Unhappy after a semester in a new town at a new school she despised. Jaded with the world. Unsure of her place in it.

January
I visited and fell in love with a new university in NYC, but returned to Fort Collins for a final semester at state school.

February
I threw myself relentlessly into journalism and never looked back. It was, and is, the most invigorating passion I have ever found. One of the best things that has ever happened to me.

March / April
Slipped into the rogue phase that I’m told I always had the potential for. Discovered my slight penchant for alcohol. Rebel, rebel. Living the true college life, living high and wild. Lost some inhibitions. Gained a will and a power to live life unfettered. Road-tripped to Santa-Fe and had a blast.

May
Farewell, CSU. Hello, summer.

June
A month of mistakes. Lots of drama. Too much.

July
I made the final decision for New York. Turned 19. Enjoyed the thrill of the thought of moving across the country. Housesitting, hottubs, and summertime.

August
Relocating nearly 2000 miles away to a new school in the heart of the most powerful city in the world was and is one of the best decisions I have ever made. I amassed a new collection of skirts, leggings, high heels, and textbooks. Fell in love with a new school.

September/October
I spent the months away discovering and re-discovered myself — my faith, my freedom, my opinions, my confidence, my cooking skills. My fashion sense.  
Visited the New Jersey shore and Washington D.C. Slowly seeing more and more of the east coast.
Somewhere along the line, I found a new best friend in a big city, and we bonded over Starbucks and sarcasm and, of all things, Robert Frost.

November
Enough late-night coffee shop ventures and eggnog lattes to last a lifetime, but they still never get old. My first Thanksgiving away from my family, and I cooked a feast for my friends as we watched the Macy’s parade from over my 6th avenue balcony. Colorado BFF came to visit, and I showed off my city.

December
A tumultuous month. But Christmas in New York. There is nothing more beautiful.

I am established, now. My world is ever changing, but I’ve learned better how to change with it. I’ve become more sound of heart and mind, and I trust my judgment now more than I ever did. I’ve become more observant. More cold. More slender. More daring.

I’ve found friends, people unlike anyone else I have ever met. Some I found in class, others by the Atlantic beaches. Or in the elevators, on the subways, or just out along the loud streets. It’s true, it takes a certain kind of crazy to move to New York City — but you’d be crazy not to live there, really. Incredible and undeserved, and I cherish these relationships more than anything.

When was the last time you did something for the first time? Maybe that’s what I love best about New York. That, while it’s become more and more my home and I adore that familiarity, it’s always new. Always changing. Ever-morphing. Not a day passes when I don’t do something for the first time. That’s a fantastic feeling, the novelty.

Now I’m off Tumblr to go hail in the New Year in style. It’s how we do.

I hope 2011 blesses you. I hope it changes you - but not too much. I hope it’s a year to remember.

Oh, and I’ll be relocating to http://sinnernotasaint.tumblr.com after tonight. New blog for a new year.