As 2016 ends, I reflect and reminisce on my past year adventures and misadventures. I have overcome challenges and enjoyed precious heart-warming moments. As I get older I start to realize how truly short our lives are, and have taught myself to cherish these moments.

From late night conversations about the Lizzie McGuire movie with my roommate to cuddling during breaks with my favorite puppy, the happy moments from 2016 are endless. I learned that: my weirdness is fun and entertaining to others, I can still do an Ariel in the middle of a street in Pittsburgh, and that my dad probably broke my lava lamp on move-in day (he continuously denies it, but I saw him drop it). But the life lessons I learned are the most important to me and the most useful.

My friends, that I ended 2016 with, are the closest friends I have ever had. We’ve all shared the intimate stories and moments with each other that people usually don’t share with others. We have been told numerous times how fun we seem, but the trick behind this is that we are just all a bunch of weirdos sharing our strangeness together in happiness. I could not ask for a better group of girls to close the year with. We are all strangely comfortable around each other and due to that we fight very rarely and can speak our minds.

My family also played a big part in the year for me. From our sister hiking trip to my brother’s passing of the bar exam, my family has always supported one another. This past week was spent with my eldest sister and her kids I have learned more about my family, and became closer to everyone. Spending holidays surrounded by my family will always be my favorite memories. The one thing I can admit to being my favorite quality of my family is our endless game nights. Everyone gathered around a table until 2 a.m. eating chips and yelling over who answered the question first is one of my favorite moments.

As a person, I have exponentially grown. I am more comfortable in my own skin. Some days I look at my outfit and feel pleased and just happy with where I am at, but other days I feel completely out of place. More and more I find myself being happy with myself. I have learned a lot of responsibility living on my own. Especially when it is a rainy morning and I do not want to trek to class but I know I must. I also have become more comfortable spending time alone with myself, I almost look forward to it! All my life in high school I constantly felt that I was to always be surrounded by people whether I liked them or not. The idea of being alone made me feel like a loser, and I also felt repulsed at myself. Now, I do not mind spending time alone with myself.

From all the lessons, I learned this year (never fall asleep with headphones in because you’ll wake up at 4 a.m. to them wrapped around your neck) I have learned to love myself and everyone around me. I cherish every person that comes into my life. If they end up leaving my life, I thank them for teaching me a valuable lesson. Even though 2016 was great, I hope to make 2017 even better!