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2016 In A Nutshell. Spoiler Alert: It was NUTS!
9 years ago
~*Only shooting stars break the mold*~ One year ago:
"This new year will entail academic excellence, traveling, jobs and internships, socialization and friendships, money, a better sense of self, a greater independence, and the potential for love. I will continue to succeed in my classes as they become further difficult, I want to save my money and obtain a pilots license, I will to get out of my head more, be sociable, and bring good, healthy people into my life, I will grow, develop and discover more about myself and the universe that connects us all, I will do more to give back, to help those in need and to be grateful for what I have. I will take better care of myself so I can see this bright future ahead of me unfold, I will continue to work on myself, to admire my traits and improve my flaws, I will undo the damage the bad in my life has done, I will be strong. "
Wow, it hard to believe another year has passed since I wrote that - the prospects I had written then were so different than the actual outcome and it took me by surprise in ways I couldn't even imagine. I spent the first of 2016 drinking away the fresh pain of the new year; it was almost immediately that the bright disposition and hopeful expectations I had set for myself just the night before would falter at the swift successive blows January brought. That prospect of love fell just feet from where it began and sepsis nearly took my life. I remained strong and true to myself though and pushed through with determination to see what the horizon would bring. Defeat after crushing defeat tested my ability to adapt and forced me to become more flexible in my life and the standards I set for it. In light of all the bad that 2016 presented me with, I'd risk to say it provided me with even more good.
I did get to travel all around the country, met new people and embraced old friends, crossed many things off my bucket list. I was part of a team responsible for sending a small experiment into space and furthered my career and scholastic prospects. I took up a life-long interest - surfing - which in many ways has grounded me. I learned of my place here and what it means to me and embraced fear and risk which has allowed me to expand upon those original horizons. While a former flame died out, when love was lost, another was found. Perhaps the most significant thing to happen to me this year has been my significant other. Against all odds I found myself capable of accepting love from someone who has only just begun to change my life in so many positive ways. He was patient with me as I once again learned to trust and accept love, the sacrifices and support he's offered me is the only reason why the notion of a new year doesn't completely terrify me. Everything I could have ever needed, and nothing I'd have ever expected, through each moment we share together I feel the knots from my past untying themselves - every day it becomes a bit easier to breathe and the air is fresh. He's turned my entire life around and I continue to learn about myself through him and the stories of his life. I admire him greatly for all that he's endured and the challenges he currently faces; in work, in life, in our relationship, in the journey of the self. He's my hero, and in all honesty I can't begin to imagine where I'd be without him though he's only been a part of my life for half of what has been one tough year. 
, I love you more than I can begin to express, thank you for finding me, for not giving up on me, and for providing me with the strength and courage to move on - both in love and in life.
So now where does that leave things? I'm hopefully entering my last year of school before receiving my degrees, I've got my eyes set on the prize and I'm dedicated to persevering. Three of us are currently in the process of shopping around for a brand new place to live; we expect to be situated by February of 2017. I've lived between my current home and San Diego where I've gotten to experience so much life in the realm of socializing and resume building. There isn't really a day hat goes by that I don't have something planned and these last few months have been full of the kinds of experiences that breathe life into each day. I've been fortunate to be able to experience these things with those I love and hope this is just he beginning. Tomorrow I am 24 years old and I'm recapping this year because I'll be camping in Sequoia National Park as I make my way up to San Francisco where I'll spend New Year's Eve.
I think 2017 will be challenging, yet rewarding. I'm excited to take on the responsibility and see what opportunities I can acquire as I work my way towards a brighter future. The theme of this year was resilience, the theme of the approaching year is perseverance and I have no doubt there are good things to come. By the sounds of things, everyone has had a rough year, so I hope in the coming days you all wipe the slate clean, kiss this rotten time goodbye and celebrate the renewal of your lives. Have a happy and SAFE! New Year's Eve everyone, I look forward to seeing what will come in the time to follow. See you on the other side!
-Genuine 
ThatPandaGuy
~thatpandaguy
Cant wait for all the wondeful experiences ahead babe. Love you more than I could ever put down here and i cant even begin to describe how you changed my life for the better.
ThatPandaGuy
~thatpandaguy
Just looking back a bit on where we wanted to be and how far things have come. Big changes since then huh?
Yeah, both good and bad. Really is a lot to swallow sometimes. We are where we are now based upon the notion that nothing short of what we wanted was good enough. It took a lot of letting go, acceptance of the reality at hand and the refusal to quit to get here. Remember that in these months to come. One thing that hasn't changed though is how much I love you - day by day, we're going to make it, because we have each other.
