As 2016 comes to a close, it is hard not to reflect. I don't anticipate this to be a "looking back on all the good" article, though. That would not go well with my cynicism. 2016, are you kidding? I mean it's really too late to go back now. We passed April Fools. It's too late to reverse it, and we have not yet developed time travel, so evidently, no, you were not kidding.
I am unsure as to whether or not I have ever had a more stressful two semesters. I don't know what I would do if I actually felt not stressed or not tired. I would probably think there was a drug of some kind that became airborne.
Also, were you, like, kidding with my love life? I mean I got robbed on a date for god sakes. And thanks for all the times I got ghosted and then found their clothes once I finally thought I had moved on. That was cute. I'm a nice girl, right? Did I deserve that? Maybe.
Also, my debt?!?! Astronomical. Why is this happening? Okay, fine. Maybe that was just my fault and not the year's, but still, some guidance would have been nice.
If 2016 could be described in a few short words it would be that my roommates and I got two fish and one is already dying. It has been one day. It could be because they live in a wine jug and not a proper fish tank with a filter, but we've been blowing into the water with a straw every few hours. I guess I didn't anticipate how bad this sounded until I typed it out.
My personal life aside, in terms of our national affairs, again, are you kidding, 2016? Our president-elect can be baited with a tweet. He is organizing his cabinet with inexperienced elite. I mean on December 5th, he announced that he was nominating ex-presidential candidate, Ben Carson, a retired neurosurgeon, to be Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. 2016, are you kidding? I'm genuinely confused. Or the Secretary of Education who has no experience in education? And who also thinks that Catholic schools should be funded more than public schools? Or my favorite is the Vice President-elect, Mike Pence, who believes that we should cut funding for HIV/AIDs research and put it towards gay conversion therapy!! My god, I was wondering when the world would become archaic again. Thanks for clearing that up for me, 2016.
Overall, I think we've seen better years. I don't know if there have been more riots or more protests this year, but it shows that we surely are not a happy people, and frankly, I don't blame us. I mean, how can you? This year kind of chewed us all up and spat us out. I don't think I've spoken to one person that's been like, "Oh 2016, has been so great. I'll really be sad to see it go." Instead I've heard a bunch of, "Oh my god, 2016? It is over yet?" That seems more accurate. Better luck next year, 2017. We're counting on you.