My Best Year Yet.

Honestly, I can’t help but think each year gets a little better. 2012 was pretty on point for me, so I’m incredibly curious (and excited, of course!) to see what 2013 holds for me.

This year has been my best, most favorite year yet. Granted, there are plenty of gems in my other years past, I am not denying those sweet memories — though 2012 was just such an epic year of making things happen and seeing God’s faithfulness do nothing but shine through my life.

I completed my full-time student teaching at Carrboro Elementary School this past winter/spring. I don’t think it’s even possible for me to have learned more in that time period about myself and about my profession, and I will always treasure the people I worked with and those kids. I got my first taste of being in a 50-50 dual language program, and I have to say it was right up my alley.

I graduated in May 2012 from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — bittersweet, but easily one of the most memorable experiences of my life thus far. I didn’t shed nearly as many tears as I thought I would during the last week or so before walking across the stage to receive my “diploma,” and I think that’s because I was truly ready to get to the next chapter of life. Believe me, I was never wishing my time at UNC away — that’s truly blasphemy. However, when the time came to toss my cap in the air, I was okay with that. I spent four beautiful years at the greatest university in the world, and I wouldn’t trade a second of those moments for anything. Now, my diploma still needs to be hung in my room, but the satisfaction of receiving that piece of paper was just overwhelming — I can’t forget the immense feeling of pride and sheer joy when I graduated. I worked so hard and spent so much time writing papers and reading articles and working in the library and planning lessons that I would never use, and in an instant every complaint I ever had in my academic career dissipated. To my friends graduating in 2013, I could not be happier for you — this is such a unique time in your life, and I pray that you savor every second!

Shortly after graduating, I got a job. At the end of May, I signed a contract to teach in Durham Public Schools. Yes, I said I signed that at the end of May. THE END OF MAY. Literally two weeks after I graduated, I had a job offer and was hearing from human resources about paperwork. This was exceptionally thrilling, considering most teachers don’t get hired until June or even July (and of course there are the people who get hired days before school starts — thank GOD that wasn’t me, and I’m glad God knew I wouldn’t be able to handle myself if that would have been me). I got to see my classroom weeks before any other teachers were even coming back into the building. I was promised a brand new room in a brand new building, in which my classroom is currently housed, and I was put in the grade of my choice. How many teachers, especially first year teachers, get the opportunity to simply select the grade they’d like to teach? I chose third grade and couldn’t be happier with my students and also with my team — they are constant life-savers! We’ve had some hard times at the school, but nothing that we can’t get through. I’m still just so blessed to get a paycheck every month.

Upon acquiring a job, I also acquired an apartment with a roommate. I moved to Durham a few weeks after officially getting the jon with Durham Public Schools, and was able to find an available apartment rather quickly. I was fortunate enough to already have a roommate in mind (couldn’t have found her without the help of my friend Carmen!), and though we had only met once before we decided to go for it (read: YOLO, let’s live together). The last six months (SIX MONTHS?! I just realized I’ve been living in my apartment for half a year already — OH MY GOSH) have been absolutely pleasant and I really love my roommate. She’s funny and crafty and Wednesdays are my favorite part of the week because we get to have roommate dinner.

2012 has held a great deal of fun for me — I’ve been to excellent concerts (here’s to you, Milo Greene and Lucious!), saw Bill Nye speak at UNC (childhood hero continuing to be a hero in my adult life), spent time with good friends over some Pretty Pretty Princesses at Linda’s, and I can’t even begin to get into all of the nights spent with people I love. I’ve met so many wonderful people in 2012 — I can’t wait to continue to cultivate those friendships in the new year.

Y’all, this is big stuff! This year I have graduated college, got a job, and live in an apartment. I have been healthy and happy, and it’s been so obvious to me that God proves faithful to those who trust in Him.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23)

I’m so encouraged by this new year. I’ve always liked the New Year’s holiday with the concept of starting over and making resolutions (I swear I try my hardest to keep them…if I choose to make them). It’s just plain exciting to see what the future holds!

Here’s to a very happy 2013, sweet friends!