Seeing as it is the last day of 2011 I thought I would do a little "Year in Review" type of deal with a month by month account of some of my favorite memories.
January: Last January... Wow. What a month, it was definitely a happy time in my life. I was in the straight play at my school and had play practice pretty much everyday. I loved every minute of it because I was surrounded by pretty much the coolest people and it's where a lot of the friendships I value the most solidified or started. The play, Bull In A China Shop featured five old ladies who were killing each other off in order to get the attention of an extremely handsome detective, Mr. O'Finn. I played Amantha and actually didn't get killed off so kudos to me. This month was also marked by the stress of trying to get last minute scholarship applications in and continuing the college-bound process.
February: On February 11th (yes, I do remember the exact day, not pathetic.) the play was cancelled. Oh, that was hard. You see, this play was the first that I actually was cast for a legit role, it was the whole "it's your time to shine!" deal and I was relatively (extremely) distraught. However, it turned out that the play being cancelled wasn't the tragedy I thought it was. Sure, it would have been so cool to actually perform the play for someone besides Aubrey but the events that occurred after are far more important than the play could have been. We decided to have an honorary "closing night" celebration of sorts. We all met at Denny's and acted as if we had just finished our last show. It wouldn't have been anything remarkable except for Shalei suggested we all go around the table and say something we genuinely appreciate about everyone. Yes, it does sound cheesy and dumb- we all made fun of the idea at first. But we decided to go ahead and try it. It was awkward at first but as we kept going it just got so good. We had this huge heart to heart and realized how lucky we were to be in each others lives. As a result of this time I am still friends with nearly the entire cast.
March: As March came I was trying to bury myself deeper in denial that I would be graduating in a few months. You see, I loved high school with my whole heart, I had finally found my niche and had a solid friend group that I was not prepared to leave. Anyway, back to March. With March came the Broadway Review and Spring Break. The Broadway Review was called, Once Upon A Dream and featured classic Disney songs. This was by far the play I was most involved with. I helped with lights, sets, and quite a few costumes. During March we were still rehearsing and preparing, the show wasn't until April but we had so much to get done. I spent Spring Break in Disneyland on the Jazz Band trip with Tanner and Mikelle. Tanner and I had a blast at Disneyland, from taxi rides to turkey legs, it was definitely a trip to remember.
April: April was such a fun month and the beginning of the end. Aubrey and I had so many talks and emotional breakdowns, trying to fathom that this huge part of our life would soon be ending. Once Upon A Dream premiered, my final play in high school. I went to my first dance with a date, Preference 2011. I asked Evan Reisner and was in a group with Aubrey, Madi, and Meredith just to mention a few of the coolest girls ever. We had such a great time and I was actually on Preference Royalty as the Most Frequent Ditcher. I also got asked to Senior Ball by Tanner which I never thought would happen. I was seriously on cloud nine and stoked beyond belief to be going to a formal dance with a date. I got a blue princess dress and Tanner worked hard to make the day pretty perfect for me. Aubrey and Ben were in our group too and it was so fun to go to a dance with some of my best friends. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect end to April.
May: Oh my gosh. Pretty sure Aubrey and I were having breakdowns on a daily basis. A song would come on the radio and one of us would just start sobbing and then the other would say, "Are you crying? Don't cry, I'll start to cry!" And then we would just both be crying messes. Yeah... It was a good time. Even though I was a completely emotional mess I wouldn't trade that for anything in the world. Aubrey and I would literally talk until three in the morning about everything in the world. May also brought Senior Sluff at Lagoon which was just a train wreck for me except I was probably the ballsiest I've ever been during that trip. I told the bus driver that Evan had a seat saved for him on the bus even though it was full. The words were out of my mouth before I even knew what I was saying. I will never forget the looks of my friends on that bus. Good heavens. And then before I knew it... Graduation. I have (and still) live the most blessed life. I loved high school, I loved the security, the proximity to others, the ability to do anything, and the people I met there. Everything about high school will always hold a place in my heart. Walking into the Dixie Arena with my class was a slow motion moment, every step I was taking was towards the future, adulthood, and uncertainty; it was a step away from everything I knew and loved. I was emotional to say the least. After the speeches and the reading of the names, we were graduated. I cried and hugged pretty much everyone I had ever known.
June: Hello, summer! I love summer and especially 2011 summer. My friends planned a surprise birthday party for me and it was so fun. It was Plank themed and so perfect for me. After my birthday, it was the trek. I love trek, there aren't even words to describe how much I love trek. I gained such a huge appreciation for the pioneers and all they went through to follow the Lord. Trek also sparked my love of the outdoors. Mostly June was spent doing crazy stuff with Shalei and Aubrey nearly everyday. I also went to Seattle at the end of June for leadership training. It was definitely unique and I learned a lot about myself and others there.
July: Nauvoo. We were accepted into the family cast for the Nauvoo Pageant. I had no desire to go or be there but by the end I was singing its praises. I love Nauvoo and the saints who lived there. I met some downright amazing people and I will never forget the experiences I had there. I also decided (finally) where I would be going to college: The University of Utah. I seriously had so many experiences and blessings come to me that convinced me that was the place for me. "The way will open up before you" was pretty much a constant theme.
August: Oh boy. College. Goodbyes. August 18th. I was such a mess, I don't think I have ever cried that much in that short of a time. I was so in love with my life in St. George that I couldn't begin to believe I was leaving. But I was and I did. I met my roommates and felt the loneliest I have ever felt before. Which lead me to rediscover my Heavenly Father. I had so many experiences and answers to prayers. My testimony definitely grew an infinitesimal amount and I will be forever grateful for the circumstances that lead me to a deeper relationship with Heavenly Father and Christ.
September: I continued the college life with my roommates. I was starting to find my place at the U. I am a nerd and I love to learn so that aspect of my life was peachy because I was in my element. I also had a trip home and realized how much I loved even the rocks of St. George.
October: Fall Break. So much fun. I came home and pretty much immediately went to work on costumes for the Wizard Of Oz even though I wasn't in it. It was so cool to be a part of something again. Micki also went to her first dance and looked absolutely darling. I loved being able to see my friends and watch them perform.
November: Thanksgiving. We went to Arizona and actually had a really good time. I love my sisters so any time I get to spend with them is absolutely fantastic.
December: CHRISTMAS BREAK. Yes, finals came before and I was so glad to have them over and done with. I love Christmas Break so much it hurts. Three beautiful weeks at home with my friends. I have spent pretty much every day with Aubrey and we do crazy things. We jumped in Gunlock Reservoir fully clothed even though the water was fetching cold. I love being home and being with my sisters and being with my friends. My mom and her kids also came and it was surprisingly good to see them. I have gained a huge appreciation for family and togetherness since college.
Well, that about sums it up. I love my life and I am thankful to everyone who has made 2011 such a fantastic year. People consistently surprise me with their goodness and thoughtfulness in my life. Here's to the new year!
