Reflections on my 21st bygone year

(Or "Musings on becoming legal")

On paper, it was maybe one of the worst years to date (eh, no that would be high school). I probably logged more hours in doctors offices and pharmacies in the first half than time spent out with friends. But in terms of learning, I couldn't have asked for more. Really. Sooo cliche: sue me.

Here's a little recap:

Experienced the highest recurring form of physical pain to date, popping ibuprofen and narcotics like candy, including racing up and down I-15 (Provo-SLC) with ice packs pressed to my freezer burnt face for injections and various therapies. A low point was popping some Percosset with intentions to snuggle the pain off in bed, then having my professor call to say I needed to get up to campus in the next half hour to have him sign an "Incomplete" form and submit it to the registrar's office.
I'm better, for the most part.

Learned that driving under the influence is just...not good.


-Oversaw Daily Universe packages for 2008 election coverage.

Learned Tina Fey is a goddess of satire.


-Went to Wyoming for Thanksgiving.

Learned that wide open spaces may in fact be really great...for the rush of galloping a horse.



- Attended a Buddhist wedding of my lovely hippie cousin and her dear Brazilian hubby in Santa Cruz...

(Isn't that the coolest picture of a bride?!)

and also a traditional Mormon wedding reception for another cousin in Orange County.



Two of my four best friends from Spain study abroad also got married.

Learned that love lives.

(Speaking of: men with psychotic wanderlust, intellectual arrogance, and/or cruel casanova complexes need not inquire within. -The Management)


-Spent the summer at the lake, (no malls, gyms, movie theaters or chain restaurants to be found within an hour radius)...ate lots of ice cream and enjoyed myself and my family (and Rayflyer).

(an awkward family photo (mom's hand on Katherine's stomach?) but it's all of us, nonetheless...)

Waterskiied, sky-skiied, and taught myself how to paddleboard.


Took an over two hour Hobie Cat excursion in gnarly waves and wind with my dad (including incident of capsize).
Relaxed. Read a lot of books and blogs. Wrote.

Learned that I can be happy outside of cities. At least in this interim period...


-Met Anderson Cooper, who inspired me to do international foreign correspondence work.

Went to Prague with three of my best friends, only to learn that I don't want to be a foreign correspondent: something about needing to take a crash surgical course in the event that you have to perform surgery on yourself was the kicker.


-Accepted that being a high-functioning individual also requires a high-vigilance and maintenance of well-being. Reconciled that I'm not done reconciling some things, but I'm definitely more myself than I've ever been. And really, I haven't been happier, more sure, determined, or more carefree.

Learned that irony is comical.


-Planned my next adventure ... to Neverland ...
where I will be thrown into "outdoors-y-ness" for the first time. We shall see if 15+ summers in the New England forestry have given me sufficient bug-squashing confidence.
(Last hurrah before the big-city life of my 4-year-old dreams! eee!)


OH, and I went auburn a couple days ago (the closest I will probably ever come to my redhead sisters)




It's true that really don't understand the lessons learned from trials and successes until you reflect upon them.
Thank you, readers, for indulging me.

22? Bring it.