It’s been a while since I’ve written any sort of yearly reflection, but I think 2016 calls for it.
What a year.
I tried so hard to write this yesterday and get it out “on time” before 2017 arrives, but I simply couldn’t (and frankly, still can’t) find the words.
Personally and professionally, 2016 has been an amazing year. I was beyond fortunate to have gained acceptances from 3 amazing schools, followed by an acceptance to the institution of my dreams. I’m surrounded by family, friends, and colleagues who support my endeavors, and with whom I am lucky to share this journey. I moved from coast to coast and got to experience seasons, from the blasted summer humidity to the biting winter winds. (I saw naturally fallen snow for the first time in…14 years?) I truly lived on my own for the first time, immersing myself in urban living – metro rides, city scapes, price gouging, and all.
Academically, I’ve learned so much, and I’m so excited to continue learning.
However, when I think beyond myself, 2016 was a shitty year. (Maybe the previous years have been just as bad, but I haven’t been paying attention?) The election results pain me; their implications even more so. Tragic, senseless deaths are abundant.
#BlackLivesMatter. Aleppo. Pulse.
Talks of a Muslim registry.
Laws further restricting reproductive rights.
In the midst of it all, I often find myself struggling to process everything. How do I give social injustices and tragedies the outrage they deserve while staying caught up on coursework? (The answer, I learned, is to just cut back on sleep.) What should I prioritize, and when? Half the time I find myself doing whatever “feels right,” even if it’s fleeting.
Overall, 2016 was a year of tremendous growth. I hope I’ll be able to say the same thing about 2017.
