The Best is Yet to Come

Well, I think it might be safe to say that this has been the worst winter break I have ever had. It could have been worse probably, but it sure wasn't good. Lots of bad news, lots of crying, lots of adjusting. And now, the stomach flu. YAY!!! But, hey, it happens I guess. It's a fitting end to this year, really. And now, this year is almost over. I just feel bad for my mother. Having to take care of my dad, having to take care of me, and even having to catch me to keep me from cracking my head open when I passed out. Basically, my mom is a saint and a boss. Go mom : )

I don't have much strength or energy to do my typical countdown from my year, but we're going to try anyway.

January:
-Started out the year hearing about the "officialness" of my two dear friends, Marissa and Wesley's relationship and danced around my house.
-Took CORE300 for J Term with Brit and Bean. It was lots of hard work, but I really did enjoy the class and think it's probably one of the most beneficial classes I've taken at this school.
-B and I found many great ways to get our homework done :)
-My Rogers left after two of the most intense hockey games I have ever played in. But I kinda played like a boss.

February:
-Basically have no recollection of February. uhh....
-Oh. Went to that kids conference at Lael with Liv, Wes, CB, and Ris. Got called "The Dum" and did my first somersault
-Liked a boy, which didn't work out so well
-Got hooked on the Bachelor (cower in shame)
-Started the worst social work class I've ever taken. Ewwww Practice with Individuals and Families

March:
-Sucky March Madness. Aside from Emily, I had the worst bracket in our bracket pool. After I studied for it. Gr..
-Spring Break started, and it started with a very enjoyable girls day with Liv, Stace, and Ris
-Turned 21 :) halfway to 42, lol. And had a bday party with Liv, Kacie, and JD
-Played one game of intramural basketball, where Jessica Clarke, shot a three pointer on me and sent it into overtime to win it, despite the fact that I have never seen her make a 3 pointer in her life.
-Had a really great bday party at Olive Garden with my besties from Delta 2
-Got my ears pierced. What? Yeah, that's right.

April:
-Discovered the carmel macchiato, my new fav, even though I still don't really know how to spell that
-Went and took pics with Bowman and B at the park
-Was probably one of the hardest academic months of my life, and difficult for other reasons too
-Barrack Obama released his birth certificate..... lol

May:
-Livia's Grandmother passed away for reasons I will never understand. She was a saint
-Worst exam week ever. Two straight all nighters. Came home and fell asleep for a lot of hours straight and woke up with my body wondering whether or not I was in a coma.
-Finished my hardest academic year ever. Mastered the art of the all-nighter. Also finished the 17-credit semester from hell
-Was voted intramural player of the year :)
-Had the scariest doctors appointment of my life
-Got my iPhone :)
-Recorded my new cd at Dan's with Wes :)
-Gathered my CHC music equipment in hilarious conditions

June:
-Camp. Didn't get sick. Had an awesome staff.
-And a pretty awesome summer
-Met Otto, an incredible piece of my summer
-Went off the zipline. What? Yeah. That's right.
-Hid in a trashcan with a shark helmet
-Found out I didn't have cancer

July:
-Experienced the most incredible spiritual breakthrough of my life, still praying I will never recover from that day
-Went off the blob. What? Yeah. That's right. The blob. First time after my third year of being a lifeguard :) And Courtney launched me
-B assisted me for a week at camp. "So Kels.... you're camp.... kinda weird..."
-Actually had a relatively decent 4th of July
-Kacie and JD's team won the Gaga tournament, and I actually played in all of the tournaments this year :)
-Redid the boy's camp dance.

August:
-Did a circus act with Livia :)
-Had an awesome internship
-Worked with Eve's Angels
-Worked with and was astounded by Nepali/Burmese refugees
-Revamped a couple closets
-Olivia had surgery. It was entertaining
-Kathy found out about her biological parents

September:
-Started my senior year. Of college. Weird.
-Moved into an apartment. Weird.
-Started playing tennis
-Saw Lion King in 3D. With Megan DeVries. We both cried
-Dropped Hughey's glasses in the toilet before Rock Climbing class accidentally

October:
-Watched my tigers in the playoffs for the first time. And watched them beat the Yank's at Yankee stadium. So fun. Lost to the Rangers, but hey, it was still fun to watch :)
-Pretty tough, learning month
-Really bonded with my social work class
-Strengthened a friendship with a dear friend from high school
-Went to ONU to visit Stacey Lou with Liv and Ris and had a grand ole team, even with the slave labor that made my knuckles hurt and heard Livia whine "I want a donut," quite a lot.
-B's dog had puppies
-Finished Rock Climbing class like a boss
-Ran around campus in a Darth Vadar costume
-Was homeless for a day and briefly contemplated a lifestyle of crime
-Won my first ever intramural soccer championship

November:
-Got bangs
-Had my first ever, full band gig at SAU. And it went pretty well
-Won an intramural football championship. Super fun
-Visited my bro-in-laws work
-Bowman became Kozma. And I got a flower :)
-Had an interesting Thanksgiving break

December:
-Experienced the worst first 24 hours of winter I've ever had
-Discovered slutty brownies
-Watched the most heart-breaking Michigan State football game. Yes, I know it's pathetic that it's something that makes my year memories. But it does.
-Got my internship at Big Brothers Big Sisters in Jackson
-Attended Hanging of the Greens for the first time
-Made Grandma's rolls with my cousins
-Finished night classes in my undergrad career
-Started playing Sims. Oh dear.
-Had a crappy Christmas break, haha

Cool New People:
-Lauren, Scooter, Amanda, Rachel, Katie, David, Katy Black, Lizzi, Bri, Joanna, Nepali refugees, my cabin from Recco's week, probably more but I'm tired of racking my brain

And now.... for my top 10 facebook statuses :)

10. Sometimes, I sing "Eye of the Tiger" to myself while taking tests to give myself positive motivation.
9. Many an attractive male has been ruined by gross facial hair.
8. Talking about Guatemala:
Olivia: are you going to have Skype?
Kelsey: no, I'm not bringing my laptop.
Olivia: Well how am I supposed to communicate with you if I can't text you?
Kelsey: Email.
Olivia. Oh my gosh! That's like the 1990's!
7. on my way to Covenant Hills. That's where I wanna be :)
6. I guess I was voted Intramural Player of the Year! Yay! Haha.
5. Oh how cute. The couple next to me in class has one left-handed and one right-handed member, so they can hold hands and still take notes. BLEH!!!!
4. Never knew how much coordination it takes to sneeze while running on a treadmill.
3. Internship? Check :)
2. I am a real woman now. I have a crock pot, a George Foreman grill, a waffle maker, and an ottoman. Hear me roar.
1. had the most majestic awakening this morning. My alarm clock, which randomly chooses songs from iTunes to wake me up, chose "Circle of Life" from Lion King this morning. So I woke up to "NAAAAAAAAAAZABINYA!!!! Hababichi baba!!" I felt like a dignified, invincible, fearless lioness. Then I hit the snooze.


Well.... that's all folks!

Here's hoping that I have the strength to leave for Guatemala tomorrow night. And that 2012 is better than 2011. Lots of big things are around the corner.