In spring of 2019, my co-worker and friend, Farah, talked to me about her Bullet Journal and how she uses it to keep track of all of her tasks and life events. You can even get a glimpse into the bullet journaling wisdom that she shared with me in some vintage TECHniques Center blogs (parts 1 & 2). She encouraged me to give it a try and then drop it if I didn’t like it. Simple enough, right? I bought a dotted Moleskine notebook from Target and the rest is history! [As a side note–while this is not an ad–I would highly recommend the Moleskine brand because I have always found their products to be of excellent quality at an affordable price.] I held on to my journal and didn’t actually start using it until June because I was closing out the academic year in my old day planner. With some encouragement from another friend who uses a dotted journal (Hi, Chris!), I began with one week at a time. Now, in December, I have nearly filled that journal with all of my to-dos, memories, scrapbook-style collections, and countless stickies with random information scribbled haphazardly across the notes. This blog is a tribute to some of the key moments, books, and movies of the year (according to my planner).
Pictured: (ABOVE) My June-December 2019 Bullet Journal, front cover. I purchased another notebook exactly like this one to start in January. (BELOW) See how much it expanded from its original size? New journal on top of old journal.
Not in the planner, January-May:
January:
- Passion in Dallas, TX with several outstanding young women.
- Began my last semester as a student at Texas Tech University and a Master Tutor at the TECHniques Center.
February: Turned 21! Some days I still feel like I’m 12 and the numbers have been reversed.
April: Accepted my spot as a candidate for the MA in Strategic Communication at American University!
May: Graduated with my BA in Communication Studies with a Minor in Media Strategies from one of my favorite schools on the planet. Wreck ’em!
And then…. June! Cue the bullet journal.
Over the summer, (a) I had the opportunity to fill a need for True to Life Ministries and Refresh Boutique for a couple of months. (b) We got my gal, Shara, successfully married in Arkansas! (c) I prepared to move to Washington, D.C., which was really scary looking back on it; I’m in love with the district now and can’t believe how much has changed in only a matter of months.
Between then and now…
I went to the Newseum (which is now closing, sadly) and the East/West Buildings of the National Gallery of Art. I caught the Oliver Lee Jackson exhibit and a few ~classics~.
I visited The National Portrait Gallery (which was by far my favorite gallery that I have been to in D.C.). Pictured are ‘The Four Justices’ on my souvenir postcard.
I hopped on a bus to NYC with my pal, Sophie, and we went to see The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway (11/10). I got sick the day afterwards but at least I survived to see Phantom. 😉
I read SO many textbooks and articles this year– so… so many…–but also got to read some great literature “for fun.” My top read was ‘I’ll Be Gone in the Dark’ by Michelle McNamara (which you can read more about in one of my older blogs).
I watched more TV and movies this year than I have in a long time. This list is not comprehensive and includes some things that I had seen before and rewatched. And, since I took this picture, I have seen Frozen 2 (loved it), part of The Irishman, and the first two episodes of The Witcher. TOP TV SHOW: Derry Girls, New Girl, or Schitt’s Creek. TOP MOVIE: On the Basis of Sex, A Little Chaos, or The Downton Abbey Movie.
I started and am loving my new job as the assistant to the communications director at the National Presbyterian Church. I got to be a part of the annual staff Christmas party and celebrate the season with my co-worker friends. Pictured below is my Christmas card from Dr. Renwick.
I think it’s safe to say that this year was full of major events–good and bad, pictured and unpictured–and I have a lot of hope moving into 2020. I’ve even stickered my new bullet journal so she’s ready to rumble (BELOW). My prayer for you in this season is that you feel loved–wherever you are–and that you, too, can sense hope for the future as we transition into Christmastide and the new year. All my love.
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