My 2017

Wow I cannot believe 2017 is over! Im starting off the 2018 by reflecting my 2017 month by month. I think its important to look back on our ups and downs throughout the year so we can keep learning and growing. Here ya go fellas!!!

January

Honestly 2017 started off not so great. My grandma passed away and I have never experienced the loss of a loved one. One thing I experienced was the overwhelming sense of unity and love from my family. Throughout loss my family are together despite the incredible loss we experienced. I realized how important family was and that is something my Grandma always represented. Cherish every single moment with your family members. Ask them questions. As your grandparents how they met and when their first date was. I will miss my Grandma so much but will always remember her spirit and loving soul.

January is also the month where I learned how to ski. At first I thought I was going to suck at it but it turns out I'm not too bad! I did fall down the slopes a couple times and felt super uncoordinated but it was still fun! Its always a good time when you wipe out right?

February

During this month I went to my first rave at the Lansing Center. I liked it for about 2 hours but Beth wanted to stay for 5. My ears were bleeding. It was so loud in there! Heres a picture if me on the floor trying to survive the five hours of EDM music.

I also dressed up like a fruit! What an accomplishment hahah but always for Catholic School's Week we had different dress codes. My homeroom got a tropical theme so I forced my friends too dress up like fruits with me.

March

In the month of march Mary Beth and I worked on planning our senior classes Moscar awards. This was a heavy task and took up a lot of time and planning. Beth and I won " attached at the hip" and were nominated for other funny awards. My dress is from Forever 21 for those of you wondering. It was quite a steal:)

Claire won " Best Eyes" and " Most Changed." Everyone laughed when she said " Thank you for everyone who was friends with me when I didn't have eyebrows Freshman year" when she won most changed. Her humor is something that never changes. A group of my friends also went to the Ledges to take pictures. Our talented photographer was none other than Amy who is amazing at taking photos.

April

So April roles around and my Spring Break trip Finally happens. I saved up for this trip for a good 7 months and it was the first time I traveled outside the U.S. Punta Cana was definitely an experience I will never forget. I don't know if I'll be going to an all inclusive resort again but it was still very fun to spend senior spring break with my mom, sister and friends.

By the way I was almost charged for holding this iguana....

Another event that I attended was Life in Color which was also at the Lansing Center. This was an actual paint party. I got paint up my nose, in my eyes, on my hair and all over my white clothing. But hey! This was one of the most memorable moments of the year and I'm so excited to get more paint up my nose this year! I also destroyed my phone speakers because so much paint went on my phone. I recommend putting your phone in a ziplock baggie.

May

May was quite the busy month. I ran a 5k, went to prom, and graduated High School. I ran the 5k with Bob and his family and friends. " The Run for Riley" was one of my favorite memories of the year as well.

Prom finally came around and for anyone who knows me knows that I love prom. I just love seeing all the dresses and spending a night with everyone from school. I know Prom isn't for everyone but Prom is where I connected with Bob so it holds a special place in my heart.

My dress was from Group Usa and it was so comfortable. Shoutout to Mads for helping me with the makeup because I was struggling.

After thirteen years of attending a catholic middle school and high school my school career has ended. In May I officially became an alumni of Lansing Catholic high School. High School had it's ups and downs but I truly believe it shaped me to be who I am today. I will always cherish having a catholic education and find myself sometimes sitting in my college classes missing my time in high school.

June

Happy Forest Everyone! Oh yes this month I went to Electric Forest. I believe I shared a whole blogpost on this so I won't talk about it that long. IT WAS AMAZING EVEN THO A SINGLE SLICE OF PIZZA WAS 8 DOLLARS.

July

Throughout the summer I nannied for Elsa and Will. I loved our adventures together filled with days at the pool, water balloons, camps, swim team, and of course making slime. I love them so much and I can't wait to be with them again this summer.

In July I also went up north a lot with Bobs family as well as spent time with my cousins Iris and Theresa at my grandpa's cottage:)

August

The last month of summer flew by very fast. My family went to the Upper Peninsula for a week to explore the Porcupine Mountains, Marquette, and other small towns. Before I knew it I started college and moved into Abbot Hall. I met my roommate Hailey, Beth's roommate Natalie, and another girl on our floor Ellie. I was lucky enough to be able to see my old friends from high school and make new friends.

September

In September I went to Chicago twice. One was for a wedding and the other was for an art trip. I also spent many weekends attending football games and tailgates. Bob and I also reached our two year anniversary of dating....Crazy!

October

One of my favorite memories of this month was when all my friends went out for Hailey's birthday. I got the best salad ever and ate it so fast I thought my stomach would explode...good times!

November

My birthday month!! I turned 19 and celebrated it with my favorite people. I also worked at a church on Thanksgiving Day which was very fun and rewarding.

December

The last month of the year! I grinned through finals and ended up doing very well my first semester. I got my first piece of art inan exhibit ( my zine) and survived my first semester of college. I spent Christmas with my family and friends. Overall this year was a huge year for me. Many changes occurred in my life and throughout these changes I grew as a person. I've learned and experienced so much and have found out new things about myself and what I'm capable of. Im very excited for 2018 and can't wait to take it on!

xoxo

Hope Ann