2011. What A Year.

2011. What a year that this has been. Looking back, it's hard to believe that it is already coming to a close. This year has been filled with so many amazing memories. The year I graduated college. My first season as a triathlete. So many friends have been made. So many goals met, and many memories created. I have been blessed to get to know and grow close to so many people. A family that I have been "adopted" into. I have never in my life felt so included, loved, and accepted as I feel within our triathlon family, and for that I will be forever grateful.

I took a leap of faith and decided to forgo graduate school, for at least a semester, to live in Utah and train for the National Championships. I was overwhelmed by the hospitality that I was shown in my "base camp" at the foot of the mountains. I was taken in for 7 weeks by a community of quirky, loving, fantastic individuals. I got my butt kicked on a daily basis by GPP, the altitude, and of course the mountains. I landed myself in the hospital at the end of my race and I had a hell of great time doing it.

I made the decision to not settle for an education at a school that I was not happy with. So in a whirlwind last minute decision I withdrew from University of Arkansas, applied and was accepted to Missouri State University, found a place to live and decided to move in a span of a month. It is crazy how quickly things can change. In a matter of a week I went from a 22 year-old kid who was going to live at home while working on a master's degree, to a 22 year-old adult who owns a home, has a mortgage to pay and is starting another undergraduate degree.

I couldn't be more excited/scared out of my mind to be starting on this new chapter of my life. I'm moving to a city where I know nobody, to a school that I have never been to, and to living on my own. I'm following a dream of mine, to better myself and to mold myself into the best human being that I can possibly be. I am getting another degree(s) that allows me to work with people to help them better their lives. That is where I find joy, in helping others.

I have been welcomed with open arms into a family. I have been deemed "Aunt Jess" and with that comes great responsibility of spoiling, loving, and becoming very attached to three little kiddos. I have gained a sister, someone who has been there for me when others weren't, has opened her home and her family to a new member, and has been one of the most self-less people that I have ever had the pleasure to become great friends/family with. And of course her husband (can't forget him), who has put up with my playing with/winding up their little munchkins right before bedtime, accepting me into the family as well, and has always been there to help whenever I might need it. I love this family as of they were flesh and blood and am going to miss getting to see them everyday.

What a year this has been. I can't wait to see what 2012 has to offer.