I've been feeling kind of bad this past week that I have neglected updating my blog, and before starting fresh at the new year, I wanted to make sure I posted one last time in 2012. The last week or few days in the end of December, in my opinion at least, have been transformed into a time for reflection and anticipation for the year to come. Personally, I can't even believe that in a matter of days it will be 2013, and that realization brings on very mixed emotions. I'm sad to see 2012 come to an end as this past year has been the most significant year in my life this far and for many different reasons. It was my senior year of high school, the year I went to the Dominican Republic for a 10 day missions trip, a year of ending, gaining and strengthening relationships, but most of all it was a year of creating memories, experiences, and growing up. This year was also the year, the last four months at least, that I moved 7,800 plus miles across the world to Beirut, Lebanon. By far the craziest and most adventurous thing I've ever done, the transition into my life here has also been bittersweet, just like the end of the year. Being so far from my family and friends back in the states would be the bitter part, and the difficulties that come with adapting to a new culture, people and location. However, as this is the time for reflection, this year has still, no matter what difficulties arose, been the best so far. The honesty that I have grown to apply to myself and my surroundings has been eye opening, and being given the chance just to be here makes me very, very grateful. I've learned about myself, God, my friends, my family, everything, since I left California. While the move wasn't the end of a year, the earliest months of 2012 feel long ago as I look around the corner at 2013. It's scary to know that even more change is ahead waiting for me, and that it will be happening soon. 2013 means that I will be only a few weeks away from starting the University here, and that I will be jumping into the deep end after months of sitting in the kiddie pool. Whatever fears or apprehensions I have are gone with the promise of more experiences, more memories, more good things that I know will come. Changes are difficult to make sometimes, but what I have lived though, done and seen in this past year ultimately lead me to embrace the new year and keep my faith. So, in looking back at all the good, all the crazy, and all the bittersweet of what this year had to offer, here is to the future good, the future crazy and the future bittersweet days to come!
