In 2015...

It's hard to believe that this year is coming to an end, but alas it's the last week of the year. This year had a lot of ups and downs, and a lot of broken dreams. I've also been on a plane twice, and I've been to places I've only dreamed of going. I've also had dealt with anxiety and all of its' fun effects. I've also gotten a job at my town's newspaper. Wow, that's a lot of stuff! Let's slow down and recap! Shall we?
In 2015, I was diagnosed with anxiety. This happened when working two jobs and taking five classes finally caught up with me. It caused me to have to withdraw from a class so I would have less on my plate. The result of all of this is that I suddenly found myself on the 4.5 year plan, instead of the traditional four year plan. Yes, it's going to suck going back for an extra semester, but it's going to be okay. I've also been combating anxiety attacks, and trying to get through it all day by day. That is the only way to get through it. I'm getting therapy, and I'm getting better. I'd like to think that I'm going to thrive in 2016.

Santa Monica Beach; Take me back please!

In 2015, I did quite a bit of traveling. In Feb., I went to L.A. for a week with the newspaper for a conference, and did a lot of sight seeing. It was an amazing opportunity, and I definitely want to explore more of California as time goes on. I also connected really well with the people who I shared a hotel room with, and went on a thousand adventures. In May, I went to another conference in New York with those same girls. This time, we left after one session and spent the rest of the time exploring the city. It was an amazing time. In Sept., I went to Orlando for the SPJ (Society of Professional Journalists), and went to an amazing set of conferences. I also got to go to Disney World for the first time since I was a kid. It was fun.
In 2015, I switched around in jobs. In May, I began working for the Hamden Journal, which lead me to become the Copy Editor. Through my work at the Hamden Journal, I met some amazing people, such as the band Kansas. It's amazing how much you can learn in that job, and where it can take you. I also began working for College Fashionista, where I worked for two semesters, and quit in Dec. In Dec., I became the Editor in Chief of the SCSU chapter of the Odyssey, which is something that I am currently enjoying. It's a struggle trying to lead a bunch of people whom I've never met except online. But, it's enjoyable. In journalism, the more experience that you can get as an undergrad, the better you are. Looking back, I gained a lot of experience and knowledge that I otherwise never would have gotten through solely classes. In 2016, I hope to further my horizons, as I enter my last year as an undergrad.

L to R: Griffin, Gabriel, and I on the beach on my 21st birthday.

The last thing about 2015 that will always strike me is the people who I spent the year with. I went on wild and crazy adventures with Gabriel and Griffin, became really good friends with my co-worker at the library Vanessa and made some new friends through classes. I've also maintained friendships from past years, such as Elisia. Sometimes, I've leaned on Gabriel and Griffin too much, especially as I went through my battles with anxiety. However, I hope they know how much I appreciate them being there for me when I need a hug. You all are amazing friends, and I'm hoping the next year we do some wild and crazy things, which will lead to amazing memories such as turning 21 with my best pals.
I'd say 2015 was a great year. What do you all think? Tell me about your year. 

Best Albums of 2015

As the end of the year approaches, it's now time to reflect on some of the albums that topped this year's charts. This year had so many new releases, from Madonna's "Rebel Heart," to Adele's mega-hit "25." Here's some of my favorites through out the year, all of which I think are worth the listen.

Source: Demi Lovato's "Confident" rocked the charts this year.

1. "Confident" by Demi Lovato
2. "Honeymoon" by Lana Del Rey
3. "Rebel Heart" by Madonna
4. "25" by Adele
5. "III" by JoJo
6. "Beauty Behind the Madness" by the Weeknd 
7. "Grand Romantic" by Nate Ruess
8. "If You're Reading This It's Too Late" by Drake

While these were some of my favorite releases this year, I would also like to point out some releases last year still managed to be a favorite of mine. "1989" by Taylor Swift was always on repeat, as was "Strange Desire" by Bleachers, just to name a few.
However, next year looks to be an equally promising year for new releases. I'm particularly excited about JoJo's new album, as well as Elton John's. But, for now, I'll have plenty from this year to hold me over until they come out.

2015-The Bucket List.

So it's been 2015 for about five days now and I've been a bad blogger by not posting a list of resolutions that I may or may not follow. #oops. I fail as a blogger, but oh well. Better late than never right? Here's my list of what I hope to accomplish in 2015.

1. Make it on Dean's List at least once. I finally got close enough this past semester, but I really want to get that oh so important 3.5 so I can at least put on my resume that I have been on Dean's List at least once in my college career. (Plus, it's a cool thing to say that you have been on Dean's List.) I did manage to bring up my GPA, which is always a good thing, so I am proud of that. 
2. Try to make more time to actually socialize. This past fall, it seemed that I was either at work, doing homework, writing articles, and of course in class. Plus, the fact that I got very sick in the middle of the semester didn't actually help with things. I know that is normally the way that things go when you're in college, but since my college years are coming to a close, I want to make sure that I'm not always found stressing out but rather enjoying the fact that I'm not a full-time adult just yet. 
3. Register my car, and finally drive. I hope to accomplish this in January, because honestly, I can't take another semester of asking for rides. 
4. Visit friends! I hope to visit Griffin (and possibly Gabriel) at their colleges this upcoming year. I really want to travel a lot and see things. Plus visiting friends is always a fun time. 
5. Figure out what I'm doing once I graduate. I'm going to be a senior in college this upcoming fall. I honestly can't tell you what I'm doing next. I'm not a thousand percent sure if I want to go to graduate school, because I feel like I would be going due to parental and societal pressure. I also don't know if want to go or take a break. I'm planning on figuring it out over the summer, in which I'll be visiting the schools on my lists. I want to make the best choice for me, but at the moment I don't think I'll be attending graduate school fall 2016. And to be a journalist, that is completely okay. 
6. Not live in the past so much. In 2013, I've based relationships and emotions based on past experiences. Yes, I've lived through some pretty sucky things. However, there is no need to dwell on it. I want to not let people from my past determine my future, because let's face it it sucks. 
7. Save money. I shop way too much and this needs to stop. I actually don't want to live up to the broke college student stereotype, and the only way to do it is to stay away from the mall and Amazon.

Happy 2015 everyone!