What a year this has been... Wow.
Last new year, I was in Vail with Jackson celebrating a new year. I had gotten into Cornell University with a Navy ROTC scholarship, and was enjoying senior year while he was happily halfway through his sophomore year at Cornell. We talked of the coming years finally together at school - a new, exciting stage of our relationship. Once he went back to school, I got back into the second half of my senior year.
In February, I performed in my last show at Vail Mountain School. I played Beth March in "Little Women." After so many theatrical productions, it was really nice to be in such a well run show. It went off without a hitch and all our voices sound beautiful. It was my favorite show and I will always treasure that experience. I have the poster with everyone's signatures framed which is so special to me.
Then third trimester began. It was a crazy semester. I finished out my AP courses - got a 5 on BC Calculus and Physics - and wrote a historical fiction novella. I enjoyed studying about Meriwether Lewis's death on the Natchez Trace. It took me back to my Southern roots and my childhood trips up and down the Trace with my grandparents, Bill and Barbara. I have always loved historical fiction so it was really fun to do. I was proud of my final product, and hopefully will get a copy published, just for my own sake one day.
April 4th marked two years for Jackson and me. I am hoping for so many more. Although we couldn't be together, it was a great day. I'm really lucky to have such a great guy in my life.
At the end of May, it was time for graduation! We had a mother-daughter brunch the Sunday beforehand. Then Wednesday brought Class Night which brought me a Presidential Scholarship Award which was a pleasant surprise. Thursday was Senior Dinner Dance which was absolutely wonderful. It was such a great night with my high school class. We were all really close which made the night fantastic. Friday brought Field Day (Team America! 2nd Place!) and then Graduation. I had a really pretty white dress with blue flowers. Graduation went very well and I got to give two speeches. One to award the 2010 Alumni Scholarship Award to JC and one about Mr. Aldrich as a recognition from our graduation class. He was always been one of my favorite teachers which made speaking an honor.
In June, the Domke family moved on down to good old Mississippi. It was a long drive, but made for a relaxing, pleasant summer. I loved being in the south with family and having no commitments before heading to school. We ended the summer in Missouri to pick Emily up from Kanakuk, then my mom, my grandma, and I packed up the car and drove North to Ithaca.
Then came one of the hardest weeks of my life. NROTC Orientation. I guess I should have expected it to be difficult, but it was much more mental than physical which I was not expected. The whole point was show us what Basic Training is like for our enlisted, but I was almost not tough enough. There was a lot of stress, a lot of yelling, and very little sleep. My feet and ankles were raw and I had never been so scared in my life. In short, I'd say that when Friday's graduation came, I was really proud of myself for pushing through, and I was REALLY looking forward to some sleep. My dad was there on Friday which made everything easier. What kept me going were the friends. I have made the most wonderful friends with my4/C buddies. I am so grateful for them. Beth and Steven especially.
I met Lisa and Paige, my roommates, and thus began my college orientation week! We have been a great set of roommates, and I am so grateful for their friendship and support and understanding (especially with my 5 AM mornings with NROTC...). Lisa was always there with thoughtful advice or a pep talk, and Paige always had something fun to say and a smile on her face. I doubt I would have gotten through without them.
Then came a crazy semester. I took Naval Science: Fundamentals of the Navy, Multivariable Calculus, Applications of Operations Research, Introduction to Computer Programming Using Java, Sailing, The Great Pleasures of Short Fiction, and of course NROTC Drill Lab. Beyond that, I became part of the Society of Women Engineers (I was awarded a Chair Position in the Outreach Directorship), as well as the Cornell Synchronized Skating Team. Between those, classes, NROTC, and friends/Jackson, I was busy constantly. It was a hard semester but it was worth it in the end. I passed all my classes despite some scares, and I feel proud of coming away from my first semester successfully.
I had a few little health scares, including a stress-induced heat rash on my feet, a boil on my leg, and then bronchitis which resulted in a diagnosis of asthma. Hard to believe but knowing that has cleared up a lot regarding my chest injuries. I hope next year has less doctor visits. You know it's bad when the pharmacists start recognizing you.
I went home with Lisa over Thanksgiving which was fun (even though I'd have loved to be home). I got to meet her wonderful family and get off campus.
I am now home. I love being here and seeing my family again. I am gearing up for 2011, feeling stronger from this year. I'd attribute that largely to NROTC. It still terrifies me, but I feel a little bit more capable of doing it. I have always had a fear of the unknown, so I doubt the worry will ever completely go away, but I hope that I can get through it. I will come out a better person and will always be proud of myself if I can.
Next year brings sorority rush, Synchro competitions, an even heavier courseload, and CORTRAMID. Should be quite a year. I'm excited, nervous, anxious, and happy all at once. But 2010? Will always be one for my memory. I wouldn't change it for the world.
Tomorrow? New Years Resolutions. Goodbye, 2010. Thank you for everything.
