2010

This year, I’m not ringing in the new year in any wild, crazy way… no party buses, or champagne, or standing outside in downtown Minneapolis for an hour in below zero weather struggling to find a nonexistent cab and eventually giving up and flagging down a normal person and paying him (and his disgruntled girlfriend) to drive us home (which, yes, happened to us last NYE…). My plans include popcorn and episodes of 24. Nonetheless, I couldn’t help but think about 2010, and what a great year it was. Some things that stand out…

My last semester of college. Within the school realm it was lots of work, but within the social realm it was lots of fun. I enjoyed strengthened friendships and new friendships, and my roommates were the BEST. Micah, Sara, and our crazy fun Norwegian roommate Thomas really made 1081 the best place to live. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend the end of my college life than with all the wonderful people in my circle of friends. Of course, 2010 also included my college graduation, which was a milestone, both bittersweet and a relief. Not to mention we threw a pretty epic graduation party in our backyard, which no one who attended will soon forget.

After graduation, I had an incredible summer. I spent most of the summer nannying in Minneapolis, for two good kids with whom I enjoyed many beach and pool days. When I wasn’t working, I took two wonderful trips – to Florida with Sara and Melissa, and to NYC with Megan and Chelsea. My friends and I went on a weekend camping trip to Great River Bluffs State Park in Minnesota, which, despite the torrential thunderstorm, collapsing tarps, and ridiculous amount of mud, was a blast (at least in my opinion… some of those in attendance may not agree with me, but I think deep down they liked it). Two of my most memorable days in Minneapolis were those of the outdoor festivals I attended – Grand Old Day and Soundset... both of which were absurdly fun and made me so grateful to live in such a great city with great local music (and great local beer). August, of course, included Gomollapalooza/Camp Steve 2010, the annual get-together at the Gomoll’s in Oconomowoc in which dozens of old and new friends come together for a weekend of games, food, boating, and floating around in the lake on noodles drinking beer.

The end of the summer was bittersweet. Lots of goodbyes and people moving, which is always difficult. And, obviously, I’ve spend the last three and a half months of 2010 hurling myself outside of my comfort zone in Uganda. I’m incredibly grateful for all of the people who have made 2010 such a memorable year, and for all the experiences I’ve had… sometimes I honestly just stop, take a moment and think “Wow, is this really my life?!” I can only hope that I will be equally blessed in 2011. HAPPY NEW YEAR!