A Recap of 2017
- priscillawrites
- Jan 18, 2018
- 6 min read
So much can happen in a year. Small moments that change us, and big moments that change everything around us. I'm afraid of forgetting them. So, even though we're halfway to February, I wanted to do a late recap of last year and all the different adventures and lessons it brought me. This is a post really more for myself than anyone. But if you're curious, feel free to read along. :)
January
The year began with snow for the first time in years when I took a weekend trip to Dallas. My fingers went numb in 16 degree weather, because of course I was unprepared for it, and I had the surreal experience of watching a car literally spin on the ice a few yards away from me (thankfully, no one was hurt). But there was snow, and that was worth it. I'm also thankful that this experience taught me to never, ever again be unprepared for the cold.
Halfway through the month, I decided on a whim to sign up for a missions class I'd heard so much about. And so began the routine of driving out to Cypress every Monday night for a class in a room full of strangers. It was such a cool experience, not just because the class itself was phenomenal, but because I was there completely on my own. I met people older than me who were so kind and friendly, and people my age who were also passionate about long-term missions - an environment I'd never really been around before. It brought purpose to my life in a season that had become a bit stagnant. And it was one of my favorite experiences of the year.
February
Houston hosted the Superbowl in 2017, and the best part of it for me was getting to see all the events and setup downtown. And of course, the free Lecrae concert I got to attend because of it. I can't remember much about the last time Houston hosted the Superbowl, so this was a unique experience that I'm glad I got to be a part of in some way.
On the day of the actual Superbowl I ended up in Juarez, Mexico. It's a long story that somehow ended with my mom and I deciding to have dinner for a few hours at a Mexican restaurant while we were there (where they were watching the Superbowl, ironically enough), and ended with my car breaking down the next morning as we headed into New Mexico for the day. We got stranded in El Paso for several days, which was frustrating and weird, and yet we somehow managed to make the best of it.
March
March always means the rodeo in Houston, and I make it a point to go at least once every year. This time I went twice, and stopped by the petting zoo, ate delicious unhealthy things, and tried in vain to win giant stuffed animals. The rest of March was mostly spent working and in my usual routine.
April and May
There was no major traveling or big events during these months, but I did end up going to our nearby beach for the first time in awhile. Despite it's reputation for not-so-clear waters, I gained a new appreciation for it. Not everyone has access to the ocean so nearby, and the relaxed, chill vibe of this little beach town was exactly what I needed in the spring. I also managed to complete Camp Nanowrimo in April, getting closer to having a full draft of my novel than ever, and graduate from my my Perspectives missions class in May!
June
Maybe I needed a relaxed April and May to lead up to the busyness of June. It began with a trip back to West Texas to retrieve my car (because yes, repairs took that long), which turned into an impromptu stop by White Sands and Ruidoso, New Mexico. I don't think I can fully capture what White Sands was like, but I felt exactly like a kid in an amusement park. It was surreal and beautiful and made you want to run around on white-sand dunes for hours - a feeling that I'll never forget because it was pure joy. Ruidoso was also special because it's so nostalgic for me as the place my family used to vacation. Things were different than I remembered but just as magical. The air smelled of deep woods and I couldn't get enough of it.
Back in East Texas, I volunteered to a Bethel concert (and met Josh Baldwin, a Bethel singer whose songs I had just started listening to!) then met Sarah Dessen for the first time at a book signing, and got to be part of my church's annual young adult conference, which is of course a tradition. A couple days later, it was off to San Francisco, for one of the most unforgettable mission trips I've ever been a part of. I learned so much on that trip that I still think about often. Maybe someday I'll actually sit down to write it all out, because every time I've tried so far, I come up short. I also got to see the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, and appreciate San Francisco for the unique city that it is. I don't think I'll ever forget walking up streets so steep my legs were sore after just a few blocks, or the wind burn we all got from the boat tour that took us underneath the Golden Gate.
July and August
I did a bit of exploring as the summer wound down, including a trip to Austin and visiting new bookstores and coffee shops in Houston. July was a month of heat and uncertainty, because I'd recently applied to a new job and wasn't sure whether I was going to hear back, and whether or not it was the right fit for me. It's so funny how God ended working everything out though. I'd initially applied on a whim because I saw a position that seemed interesting, and He ended up turning that into an even better position that made more sense for me. August of course ended with Hurricane Harvey, which I don't think I need to write about to remember, because it will forever be etched in the minds of every Houstonian.
September
I started that new job in September, which is why there wasn't really a lot of time for much else. It was a season of transition and though it was a little stressful (work transitions always are for me), it didn't take long for me to start to feel at home, and so comfortable in the new place God had brought me. September was a month of searching for peace in the midst of change, and I'm so grateful I was able to find it.
October
In October, my church hosted an incredible worship night with the likes of Kari Jobe, Brooke (Fraser) Ligertwood, and Bethel Music. It was such an unforgettable moment to see our church completely packed and full of worship after one of the toughest seasons for our city. I also turned 25 in October, which was strange and anticlimactic, but also really nice. I ended up loving how low-key it was this year. The older I've gotten, the more I value doing things that truly make me happy on holidays and birthdays, without regard for what they "should" look like.
November
At the start of November the Astros won the World Series, and I have never loved baseball more. The winning parade was one of my favorite moments ever in Houston, with blue and orange confetti everywhere. It was the perfect comeback after all our city had gone through just a couple months before. Thanksgiving was relaxed and full of good food, as it should be, and it of course continues to remain my favorite holiday. :)
December
The universe decided to give us more happiness in Houston with snow in early December! It had been at least five years since the last time we'd gotten snow in Houston, so it was a big deal. The rest of the month truly flew by, but I enjoyed the holidays a lot while they lasted. For some reason, I really felt the desire to decorate for Christmas more than ever, but it turns out collecting all the right decorations is a long (and expensive) process. So I look forward to adding to it next time.
As you can see, 2017 was a year of highs and lows, with a lot of small, mundane moments in between. It wasn't a perfect year, because no year ever is. But 2017 brought me a lot of good things that I'm so grateful for. More than anything, I think it taught me a lot about pursuing peace and joy, and having more compassion and patience for myself. When I look back on 2017, I hope I see a year of change and growth - and the beginning of many good things.