If 2015 was the year of change than 2016 was the year of travel and contentment. This was one of the best years yet. I went to a new country (Hey Canada!), spent time in 6 different states, visited 1 new state, fully dived into my career, made some amazing new friends, invested more in my church, and finished my last few classes that I'll ever have to take!
Let's review:
January
My sister came to visit at the very beginning of the month, I celebrated my birthday in the city, some friends and I drove to Bend, I explored new trails in Portland, and I started my first clinical placement at a preschool and elementary school! Quite the eventful month.
February
Felt like Cinderella up in the snow, explored more parks in the city, went to Seattle with my parents for the first of 3 trips, and enjoyed the sunny days.
March
March was busy with school but I did manage to sneak in a spring break trip to Tucson and see my best friends (the best!!) and admire my pretty campus on sunny days.
April
April was beautiful! I indulged in some Pip's (my favorite!), ran my first 10k in tulip fields (!!!), hiked some more, and was a basic Portlander.
May
In May my best friend came to visit, my dad flew out to watch the Warriors vs. Trailblazers in a playoff game, finished my spring clinical placement, ran a 5k in the pouring rain, went to Yosemite with my family, celebrated 1 year of grad school being completed, watched my sister graduate and finally ended the month with some friends visiting and a trip to SF. Phew. What a month.
June
In June I went to the coast with my friend, watched the Rose Parade and the whole city was a rosy hue, explored some fun Portland activities, and my mom flew out to go wine tasting in the Willamette valley. Such a fun month. I also began my summer classes and my summer clinical placement this month.
July
July was another goodie! It started off with a road trip to the Painted Hills, some lake time, one of my oldest friends coming to visit, joining my family in Mendocino for my grammie's 80th, and some delicious wine tasting with friends!
August
August was possibly the best month! It started off with the end of my summer classes and clinical placement, a quick trip to the coast, a camping trip, 2 trips to Seattle, a road trip to Canada seeing Vancouver Island and Vancouver, an epic hike in the gorge, and the beginning of fall classes/ my fall placement. Holy moly.
September
September started off epic with a road trip to Crater Lake National Park and camping at Diamond Lake and then was filled with school, getting used to my clinic placement and lots of fun nights out with friends.
October
October started off with a spontaneous trip to Vegas to celebrate my sister's 21st, an amazing retreat with my church, lots of leaf pictures (this fall was unreal!!), and pretending I was eleven for Halloween. :)
November
I took more leaf pictures as fall was winding down, I went to Philadelphia for the first time for the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association conference, died over all of the cute Philly doorways, and went home for Thanksgiving to see the family. We ran a 5k the morning per tradition. :)
December
December was bittersweet and great. I finished up my last set of classes ever but also had to say goodbye to some friends until graduation. But I also got to attend some Christmas parties and spend time with my Portland family before I drove home for Christmas.
For some I know 2016 was a rough year but, at least on my end, when I look at these pictures all I can think is how blessed I was and how many amazing opportunities were placed in my path. I see no signs of any of this stopping in 2017.
I sincerely hope the beginning of 2017 has been restful and contemplative for you as well. Let's all show more love and give endless grace every day. On today, inauguration day, I really want to stress how crucial it is to be loving, caring, accepting, and gracious today and tomorrow.
Happy Friday!
Song Recommendation:
Berlin- Bears Den
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
For some I know 2016 was a rough year but, at least on my end, when I look at these pictures all I can think is how blessed I was and how many amazing opportunities were placed in my path. I see no signs of any of this stopping in 2017.
I sincerely hope the beginning of 2017 has been restful and contemplative for you as well. Let's all show more love and give endless grace every day. On today, inauguration day, I really want to stress how crucial it is to be loving, caring, accepting, and gracious today and tomorrow.
Happy Friday!
Song Recommendation:
Berlin- Bears Den
