December 2010-December 2011: Looking Back

December 2010
My students gave a Christmas recital.
I became an Aunt! Welcome, Isaac James!

January
I helped lead worship at my church's women's retreat.
I began the gluten-free journey.

February
My church had a long-awaited "ground-breaking" ceremony to celebrate the beginning process of building a church home
I turned 21.

March
My parents traveled to Laos for two weeks, and I had my first taste of full-time house-keeping. Carissa and Tsukasa helped me hold down the fort. I learned that I don't want to take a care of a dog full-time.
I participated in a pro-life walk-a-thon.

April
I read the entire Harry Potter series for the first time ever.
I practiced harder than I ever have.
I gave my first solo recital, 30 minutes in length.
I competed in my first college-level competition and made it to finals.

May
I watched one my cousins graduate from high school.
I helped my brother and sister-in-law move to a different house nearby.
I went to a reunion lunch with Ms. Williams and my high school piano quartet (first time since '08!)
I took a six-week summer class.

June
My students gave a spring recital - my longest studio recital yet!
I helped Tyler move into his own apartment.
Ty and I celebrated our 3rd dating anniversary.

July
I traveled to France and Belgium and learned more repertoire in a month than I ever have! I met Cassandra, and I processed so much about life, God, and music.
I saw HP 7 part 2 in Paris, before the US release date.
My sister came home!

August
Upon returning from Europe, I got to see my sister!!
I insisted on having family photos taken professionally (everyone is thanking me now :).
My first music education internship began - two full days a week - at the elementary level.

September
I attended hours and hours of an international piano competition and had my world rocked.
My family said farewell to my sister as she traveled back to Laos.
I played four-hands music at my church's variety show with Erin. I also participated in a flash mob dance for the grand finale! (Ha!)
Ty and I started attending an awesome growth group at my church.

October
Ms. Williams and I threw the 3rd Annual Halloween Musicale for our piano students. I hosted the event this year.
I finished my first internship placement and moved on over to high school for the rest of the semester.

November
Erin and I gave a fundraiser concert and raised nearly $1000 for our church building fund!
We also made it to the concerto competition finals.
I fell so in love with performing.
I was a fill-in accompanist for two weeks at a local church.
I played in two master classes for Rebecca Pennys, teacher at Eastman.

December 2011
I finished my internship! I talked at a middle school girls' Bible study. Tyler proposed! All three in the same night!
I learned more music than I ever have in one semester.
I traveled to Laos and back! I stayed eight days with my sister and saw the sights and sounds she experiences every day.