My Personal Year in Review: 2013

Hello loves,

            The fact that 2013 is nearly over is crazy to me. This year has some of the biggest changes and challenges I’ve ever had to go through. However, it ended up being one of the best years of my life. I cannot complain at all—looking back, I realized how blessed I am. I have had some amazing times with some amazing friends. I’ve grown as a person, in my fashion, my personality, my independence, and my courage. In everything I have been able to do, I have grown as a person and realized what I want to do and who I want to be. So, without further ado, here is my year in review.

            It’s crazy to think I finished up the end of my senior year this year. It feels like ages ago! I was able to do some amazing things in my last months as a high schooler. I went on a mission trip to Mississippi, and it was a life changing experience. While I was supposed to be heading to Honduras, we had a little kink in the road, so we weren’t able to take that path. However, we were still able to go and help people somewhere, and I was able to create a bond with my team that I will never forget. I learned that electronics and makeup aren’t necessities—it IS possible to live without them, I promise!

My dad & I on the trip

            After returning from that, I went on a senior trip with my class to Kansas City for a Twins v. Royals baseball game, and it was a blast. We pulled an all nighter, I went to my first ever baseball game, and bonded as a class before heading our separate ways. What more can a senior ask for?

I'm the blonde one with my favorite pink raincoat :)

            I went to my senior prom, and while it wasn’t the greatest night of my life, I loved dressing up. Getting all dolled up for a night and feeling like a princess is one of the best feelings in the world.

            Then came finals, and graduation. This was a huge step for me. Throughout this whole transition, I ended up deciding on a college. It was a hard choice, I’m not going to lie. I decided on Drake, and looking back now, I am beyond happy with my decision. I was valedictorian of my class (yeah, I’m kinda a dork), so I had to give a speech at graduation. Gulp is right. I tripped going down the stairs during dress rehearsal, so don’t worry, I didn’t make too big of a fool of myself. It was an emotional next step—I would be moving away in the fall. What would I do?

A lovely picture of my grandpa and some of my cousins.

            We took an amazing, unforgettable trip to Los Angeles not too long after graduation. It had been my dream to go there for as long as I can remember, so going there was an absolute dream come true. Flying into LAX was one of the coolest things I can ever say that I’ve done. We went to Hollywood Boulevard, Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Huntington Beach. We drove to San Diego, after a huge traffic jam, and finally made it to Sea World. California was perfect, and I need to visit again. I definitely could have seen more sights, and, of course, done more shopping.

            Now, make fun of me all you want, but I’m a HUGE One Direction fan. So, the summer of 2012, one of my best friends and I bought tickets to see them in Kansas City. We thought we were absolutely crazy, but it was absolutely worth everything. We roadtripped 5 hours the day before the concert, stayed at her brother’s place, and did some concert prepping the night before the concert. Keep in mind, I fell in love with 5SOS as well, so we were an absolute wreck freaking out. The concert was incredible—words cannot even describe my joy. While we ran into some trouble leaving (don’t leave the GPS plugged in during a concert, your car will die…), it all ended up okay, and it was one of the greatest nights of my life. We also went to a Big Time Rush concert since they were a half an hour away, and I was able to touch them all. Enough is said about that… J

 I made this shirt for my concert. Just using my creativity. :)

I was this close to Logan. *Swoon*

            Then, August came. College. I was in contact with my roommate, so we were able to coordinate much of our dorm room décor. I was nervous, excited, happy, sad, and basically every emotion. Also, a random point to throw in here, this is when my blog began. Best. Decision. Ever. Packing up my van with all of my college gear made it real. We drove off, and after three and a half hours, we reached college. My parents helped me set up my dorm, went out to eat, and then it was time to say goodbye. We were all emotional, and when we said our final goodbyes, I headed up to start my new adventure.

I'm on the way left, just being my weird self.

            College has changed me for the better. This is the first place that I really feel like myself. I’m surrounded by so many incredible people that I am so blessed to have met. I am able to pursue my dreams and future career here, and I am loving every moment I’ve spent here. My roommate is amazing, I’ve met people who have the same interests (1D, 5SOS, YouTube, etc., you know how it goes), and I’ve had countless movie nights and memories made. I’ve already made some plans to try to study abroad in London in 2015, which is my absolute dream. More than anything. I’ve developed as a fashionista while being able to blog for DrakeMag online, I’ve learned the importance of being myself, and I learned that my dreams are bigger than anyone could even imagine. This upcoming year will be huge, I can already feel it. I want to thank you if you read this all, since I know it’s long! Thank you to all of you who have started this journey with me. I promise, this isn’t the last you’ll see of me; I will continue to share my journey with you all. My chic adventure still has a long ways to go, more people to see, and many new places to go. Thank you for supporting me, and I look forward to what 2014 has in store for me!

Much love and thanks,

Maggie D. xx