Here We Go

I fought against starting a blog for sometime, fearing not having much to write about. After the repeated encouragement from a number of people, I thought I might as well give it a go. Perhaps my lack of inspiration is more an attempt to hide my laziness.

In the awkward week between Christmas and New Years, when the internet is bursting with look backs at the last 12 months, I found myself reflecting in the mid-holiday glow. 2013 was a pretty good year for me. Without turning the past year into a drawn-out novel, I thought I would give a quick summary with the help of my favorite photographs from the year.

I rang in the New Year in San Diego. Enjoyed the company of good friends before heading back up to San Francisco to begin the second semester of my sophomore year. I took a class I thought I would love and hated it. I took a class I thought I would hate and ended up loving it. So it goes it seems. I often fled dorm life for the freedom provided in my friends' tiny seaside apartment.

I was assigned my teacher's education fieldwork at a charter middle school in 7th grade humanities class, and although my personal experience in middle school was dreadful, I quite enjoyed working with the lovable awkward souls that make up a middle school classroom. I applied for and was accepted to a short study abroad program through my school, and at the end of May following the conclusion of classes, set off for Salzburg, Austria. 

The conference was geared towards students and focussed on the many facets of globalization. We were lectured by numerous professors from around the world, and even a few people involved in multinational humanitarian organizations. We spent a week staying at Schloss Leopoldskron. The back terrace of the Rococo Palace and the lake it overlooks was used for the filming of "The Sound of Music" as the home of the Von Trapp family. I also had the opportunity to visit the Dachau, the first concentration camp set up by the Nazis outside of Munich. A very powerful visit.

After the seminar was over, I took a train to a plane to another train to visit our family friends in southern Sweden. They welcomed me to the country and ensured I had a wonderful time. The sun was out everyday. I was also able to experience the equivalent of a Swedish high school graduation.

The Swedes forgo boring speeches and time consuming diploma handouts, for a far more celebratory bash. The graduating students turn up to school in navy blue suits and white dresses and their personalized white cap (studentmössa) for a champagne breakfast, they make their speeches and say their farewells in their classrooms. At the end of the school day, families gather at the exit of the school building armed with large signs with baby pictures of their student, flowers and more alcohol. Students run out of the school in their classes and find their family for pictures before marching through the city with all the other graduating students from around the city. They part on open trailers that parade around the city, and are expected to sober enough to meet grandma back at the house for a meal before they spend the rest of the night out. It's really quite the sight to see!

After ten days in Sweden, I said "Hej Då!" and returned to the states. I took a detour home and took in two Broadway shows (Once and Peter and the Star Catcher) with my aunt in New York. After a whirlwind trip around Europe and a New York, I went home only to pack up my things and move into my new apartment in San Francisco, located just six blocks from the beach. I enjoyed the rest of my summer taking in a concert or two. I saw a little known act by the name of Sir Paul McCartney. He was quite spectacular, I would recommend getting tickets if he comes to a town near year. But with the school year fast approaching I packed up some things and headed on another little adventure.

I spent six days in North Dakota spending time with my family. Went diving into the treasure trove of old photographs my grandmother has and got lost in the history for hours at the time. I spent time with my cousins and enjoyed the last few days of summer out at the family lake cabin. 

First semester of junior year was different than the previous years. With many of my friends all over the map, I found myself sending quite a number of daily text messages. My first semester off campus was pretty good, although I learned that one can tire of pasta. In October, I headed block north to San Francisco's Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival. 

I saw a few bands I had seen before and enjoyed San Francisco's 'Indian Summer' with good friends. Mixing all ages and numerous different genres, all for free in the park, HSB is the perfect way to spend three days in San Francisco. The rest of the semester was filled with homework and little jaunts around the city. And now I have returned home to spend the holidays with my family. 

It was a pretty exciting year and a year I will look back at very fondly. But with the New Year only a few hours away, I am ready to look ahead. I applied and was accepted to study abroad at St. Andrews University in Scotland for the spring semester. A new adventure I can't wait to begin. So in the typical holiday spirit, I've come up with a few New Year's Resolutions:

• Be my best self
• Say "yes" more
• Spend more time outdoors
• Stray outside my comfort zone
• Stay surrounded by the people I love

Little improvements, but certainly things I will focus my energy on. So for now, I'll bid adieu. 

Happy New Year!