And just like that, my 20th year of life is over. It seems like since I was about 16, this is all I have been getting ready for, finally being the age where there was nothing I was too young for besides running for president and getting the senior discount at Denny's. Over my years of life, I have done so many things that have enriched my life, and I would love to share some of those things with whoever reads this (hi mom!).
Stood in the Same Room that Judy Garland Recorded Somewhere Over the Rainbow in
For as long as I remember, The Wizard of Oz has been my favorite movie. It is a classic that people young and old will forever love. This summer on a trip to Sony Pictures Studios, I went to the Barbra Streisand recording studios and as I was standing there admiring this room, the tour guide looked at the spot next to where I was standing and said that was where Judy had recorded the greatest song off a soundtrack of all time. To say I was floored is an understatement and now every time I hear it I am brought to tears remembering how special standing in that room was.
Attended VidCon in Anaheim Three Different Times
Growing up, YouTube was something I always found comfort in and all I wanted since hearing about it's creation was to attended VidCon. The summer of 2015 my dream came true and that was the first of three summers I got to soak in the incredible energy of VidCon. Anaheim itself is a dream and has become a home away from home top me. I swear nothing is more comforting to me then sitting in the Hilton lobby, hanging out with people I only see once a year. And on top of loving the location, I get to spend a few days surrounded by people I watch online and a lot of them know me from previous years and it's always just like a big reunion that I never want to miss.
Visited Sin City Four Times
A lot of people assume that Las Vegas is strictly an adult's playground and that anyone under 21 should just not bother going, and thank god I didn't listen! Over my time visiting Vegas, I have found comfort in things that would normally give me anxiety like crowds and flashing lights everywhere, but here they just remind me that I'm in my home away from home.
Living with my two best friends
Over the last two years, two of my best friends have lived with me and as much as it has been crazy, it has been such an important thing to me. Having two people constantly around me that I love and that love me especially through awful things I was was going through was so necessary.
Camping out for Concerts
The longest I have ever waited for a concert was probably about 21 hours for a Troye Sivan show back in 2016 and let me tell you, as much as it was worth every single hour, it was the most uncomfortable and cold I have ever been. Camping for a concert is so much more than sleeping on the side of a street it's also making friends and memories in line you're going to always remember.
Becoming an Activist For Change
I have had strong political opinions for years but this year in particular, I have gotten so involved online and off in what is going on in this world. Back in March, I attended the "March for our Lives" event in Seattle and that is a day that changed my life truly. I have never been so inspired and angry and ready to change the world. I have learned more this year than ever before that standing for something is always better than staying silent and I am so glad I have found this passion for politics and for making sure this is a world I would be proud to bring a child into.
Going to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Hollywood
For my entire life, Harry Potter has been very present and has always been something that has meant a great deal to me. The series taught me so much about friendship and bravery and sacrifice and I am forever indebted to J.K Rowling. Back in February of 2017, I went to the park for the first time and was absolutely in awe and felt so at home in a place i'd never been and that is the beauty of the Wizarding world, just as J.K Rowling said "it will always be there to welcome you home".
Volunteering at WeDay for Four Years
Five years ago, this unbelievable event called WeDay was introduced to me through social media and I can honestly say this event has changed my life. This event is one that tickets can't be bought for kids have to earn them by doing local and global acts of change, and it is the most positive beautiful room to be in. I have volunteered for four years and every year there is a moment listening to the speakers and performers or looking around at the kids that i end up in tears because I am so in awe of everyone in the room.
Coming out as Bisexual
On national coming out day in 2016, I publicly came out to everyone who is friends with me on Facebook and had already come out to my internet friends on Twitter. A lot of things helped me make this huge decision but most influential was a Youtuber named Connor Franta, and he helped me so much with advice and just by being unapologetically himself. I've listened to all of the comments "You're confused" "You just haven't met the right guy" and my favorite "bisexuality doesn't exist" and have finally gotten to a place where that doesn't bother me and that is the thing I am most proud of in my life.
Gone on Road trips with friends
This has quickly become my favorite thing specifically road tripping to Portland. There is something about being in the car with my favorite people and screaming the words to songs we love or just talking that makes me feel so at ease. Over the last year, I have taken ample road trips to Portland with different groups of people and I didn't think I would appreciate being in the car that much, but I just really do.
Snuck into an Amazon Party
Earlier this year me and my friend heard that Lorde was performing at the employees only Amazon party, so naturally as non Amazon employees, we decided we had to go. We got to the venue and tried everything to get in, including me almost hooking up with a guy to get inside and still we were outside with about 30 minutes before she started. We then came up with a plan, and fast forward about 40 minutes later and I am second row dancing with my best friend to Lorde's set. The party was a complete blast as we ate the best food I've ever had and drank and danced. I never wanted to leave and it was truly the most grown up I've ever felt.
Won more radio contests than I thought possible
Seattle radio has become such a huge part of my life that I almost spend more time at the station than I do anywhere else in the city, and I honestly wouldn't have it any other way. For years I would enter everything and never win anything and then my luck changed and I started winning things from small radio performances and meet and greets. These meet and greets for me and three friends gave us the opportunity to spend time with Nick Jonas and Demi Lovato to private soundcheck parties with my favorite artists. Going to these radio events has given me this wonderful opportunity to meet everyone who works in radio here in Seattle, and I couldn't love the group more they are all such wonderful people.
Meeting Dwayne Johnson
This is the memory that is easily the most surreal and something I still bring up daily even though it happened a year ago. Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson has been my favorite person on this planet since I was three years old, and I would run around in an oversized rock WWE shirt and ask if anyone could "smell what the Rock is cooking". Flash forward to my 20th birthday, I ventured up to Vancouver on a bus with my best friend to try and meet Dwayne on the set of his film "Skyscraper" and after 12 hours of waiting, we were told that he would not be meeting anyone. Obviously, I was crushed but I didn't leave and after about another half hour someone came up the few of us that were left and brought us over to a little-secluded area and said we would be doing one group photo with Dwayne and then he needed to leave and immediately, I was back in the giddy state I had been in all day. When he finally came out to greet us, he was everything I had ever imagined! He was tall and muscular, and had the brightest smile- I was automatically in tears. As soon as he saw me crying, he came over to me, met me and hugged me and let me cry. He talked to me before taking the group photo and that was all I had ever wanted. Always meet your heroes.
Visiting the real life Halloweentown
You can agree with me or not, but Halloweentown is the best Halloween movie of all time (I am sorry Hocus Pocus, I still love you). A few years ago, I found out that this movie was filmed in St Helen's Oregon which is about four hours from me, and every October they have a celebration called "Spirit Of Halloweentown", and I knew I needed to go. All of the years I have gone, cast members have been there and the big pumpkin has been in the center of town. I have never felt like I am being transported into my favorite movie until I am there, and I can't wait to go back next month.
Finally Attending A Comic-Con
Back in March of 2017, I attended my very first Comic-Con in Seattle and I can easily say this was one of the craziest experiences of my life. There were two people on the line-up I was really excited to see, the first being Robert Englund who plays Freddy in "A Nightmare On Elm Street" and he is the creepiest/coolest dude and I am so glad I got to sit front row to his interview and watch a horror movie legend. The next person was my reason for attending the convention and that was Tom Felton who plays Draco in "Harry Potter" and the moment I saw him I broke down in tears and had to catch my breath before meeting him, which was incredible and made my comic-con perfect.
Attending a taping of my favorite TV show
Back in 2017, I on a whim got me and my friend and her mom tickets to go see a taping of "Baby Daddy" which at the time was my favorite show on television and it ended up being the last taping ever of the show which was an added emotional element. The taping lasted about six-seven hours and was full of uncontrollable laughter and tears and listening to Jean sing to the twins and doing the cupid shuffle with my favorite cast it was truly a dream. After the taping everyone including the cast and crew were in hysterical tears as it was the season finale and the show hadn't been renewed, but we made the best of it and we all hugged and met the cast. It was a day in Hollywood that I'll never forget.
Walked through Warner Brothers Studios
Being a huge movie buff, a goal for me was always to go to Warner Brothers Studios and this past summer I made my dream a reality. There is this feeling you get walking where every Hollywood great has walked that is unlike any other feeling. As we passed the sets of "Shameless" and "Friends", I began to recognize my surroundings as the small town of Rosewood Pennsylvania from my favorite TV show "Pretty Little Liars". Pretty Little Liars was such a popular show and highly requested on the tour that they have still not completely washed away Rosewood despite the show ending a few years ago. The whole experience was something I will never forget and pushed me even further to want to work in the crazy business that is called show business.
Saw my Favorite Artist Twice Live
Taylor Swift has been my favorite artist since I was in Elementary school and on the "Red Tour" and "Reputation Tour" I have been lucky enough to see her. This past May, Taylor graced Century link stadium in Seattle with her presence and I was lucky enough to have floor seats and got to be front row for her B-stage performance and it was a moment I will never forget. He stage presence is something that is unparalleled by anyone else I have ever seen live and I would highly recommend seeing her to anyone.
I was in a magazine!
People Magazine decided to publish an article about when I met the Rock and luckily one of my mom's friends brought her a copy and now it is safely in my room. The article is about Dwayne being a fans best friend and the picture is of me hugging him and it's such a cool thing that I am so glad happened.
I finally got a job..and then another!
I have been so scared of getting a job since I was 16 and this year finally decided to stop being afraid of failing at said job and just go for it and I was hired at Staff Pro in Seattle and started a dream job of getting to work with artists and their fans at events. I quit that job in July and was hired at Kohl's the same month and am now so happy with the group of people I work with and with the progress I am making!