It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life (a new year)... And I'm feeling good.

As of midnight tonight, 2011 will be over. Finished. *poof* gone like the wind.  Let's recap on everything that happened and I will cry about it and make really long blog posts. 


1.  Harry Potter "ended".  I use quotations because really, it will never end.  But the movie was finished, just like that.  Seven books, eight movies, and a majority of my life. On July 15th, I saw Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow Part II, and it was a SUPER big deal.  I also re-read the series twice and blah blah blah, quite a Harry Potter year. 


2.  THE INTERNET HAPPENED.  I've had Twitter since the end of 2010, but this year I was like "oh goodness look at all these very nice people".  And they've been part of my entire year, and it has been absolutely fantastic.  I love everyone I've spoken to, and speak to now.  Their hearts are huge, and their love for porn- I mean fanfiction- is sometimes bigger.  


3.  I MET STARKID!! SPACE Tour was a wonderful experience this November 6th, 2011.  The only thing that was better than meeting the actual Starkids and watching them perform live would be meeting these friends that I will forever love dearly.  (handhugs)


4.  I had.  One of the greatest.  Summers.  Ever.  You know why?  Nearly every day of it was spent with my best friend.  Nicolette.  I haven't felt close with her in a while, and this year... BAM.  It was like we were young again, spending every day together and never getting tired of each other.  We've been best friends for 9 whole years (Or it will be on the 7th of January), and I feel like I've finally gotten her back. She's one of the greatest people on the ENTIRE planet, and I feel extremely lucky to have her as my best friend.  Forever graphing those schizoids.  


5.  This summer, I also started watching Doctor Who.  And my GOD it was one of the greatest things to happen to me.  I mean.  This show.  I can't even.  I OWE ALL OF THIS MAINLY TO EMMA AND KIRSTYN BECAUSE THEY ARE THE REASONS I AM WATCHING IT TODAY.  They never stopped talking about it and I finally decided I needed to see what was so great about this show.  I will never regret that decision, even when I lack sleep from staying up all night to watch it.  


6.  I also discovered Sherlock.  As if my love for Sherlock Holmes couldn't get any greater, IT DID (also thank the stars for Sarah and her emails bless her).  I love all 3 episodes of the show and Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat and their ability to make such an incredibly gay show.  


7.  On September 14, 2011.  I gained a best friend.  Barely 100 days later, just.  I don't really know what to say.  I'm honestly at a total loss of words to say about Matty.  It's different because I haven't had 8 or 9 years to find the right words to describe this particular person. Give me time, and I will find the right words.  But right now, I just can't.  Other than you're brilliant.  Absolutely brilliant.  You're like the Koschei to my Theta, minus all the passionate gay sex.  


8.  I travelled to Vancouver with my school's music program.  It was one of the most beautiful places I've ever been to, with the water and mountains.  The memories made there are ones I will never forget.  No matter what.  And I would give almost anything to be back again, among the trees that tower high above your head and look down on you like gods from the sky.  


9.  And finally.  Finally, I have music.  Violin, one of the most important things in my life.  Sure, the beginning of this year was difficult.  My violin teacher went and ditched me, abandoned me, after 6 years.  Then, in October/November, I discover that all I had was 6 years of some of the worst instruction ever.  
But now, none of that matters.  It doesn't.  Because I have a proper teacher.  A phenomenal teacher.  Who doesn't know how much she means to me, how much she has changed me.  How she has saved me.  Thanks to her, I know what I'm doing.  Hell, I can finally hold my violin properly.  I know what I'm doing (to a point).  I finally have a shred of self confidence that will eventually grow into something larger.  
I made it into PEEL HONOUR STRINGS.  FIRST. VIOLIN.  Me.  First violin.  This is something I would never have expected to happen a mere few months ago.  And it's all real. 


(Also Natalie calls me her personal Maureen Johnson and I adore Maureen and she brightens my life so REALLY that is a pretty big deal fkdjhsajk)


Sure, this year was pretty difficult.  My Zio having a stroke.  My Nonna having a heart attack and a quad bypass surgery.  Having to go through Baldo's one year anniversary of his passing.  Dealing with all that I faced, and still face, at home.  Losing friends.  Being so very alone in the world.  
But the good things outweigh the bad.  And in the end, that's all that really matters.  Because in the future, you're going to want to look back and remember all the good things that happened in 2011.  


I don't really know how to end this, so I'll leave you with a piece of advice:


"Always take a banana to a party, Rose: Bananas are good!"