- If you want an internship, or a job, or whatever, just ask. It never hurts to ask, and the doors that open up may surprise you.
- If/when you get hired, always give your boss a good day’s work, even when your co-workers do not.
- Wear gloves when you run in the cold. It will save your hands. Thanks Laura!
- When you are hurt by somebody close to you, either get over it (if it is insignificant) or tell them. Don’t just let it fester and think it will go away on it’s own. It doesn’t. And it will usually come out when you are upset with the person about something else.
- The best sign of someone who is truly trying to develop their mind and learn and better themselves and understand the world is someone who–in spite of all the entertainment options and media–takes the time to READ.
- Know what’s going on in the world. As believers, we should not live with our heads in the sand.
- Most of what you need to know in life you learned from Calvin & Hobbes.
- If you want people to take you seriously as an adult, dress like one.
- Dress to express your personality, but also modestly and respectfully and tastefully. It is possible to do this.
- This too shall pass. Whatever it is. Trust Him, and keep going. One day at a time.
- Hospital food is the most expensive and worst tasting stuff on the planet. Pray they have granola bars or yogurt in the cafeteria. Don’t eat the meat. Just back away. You’re in the hospital to get better, and that anonymous stuff is NOT conducive.
- In college, get to know your professors. College is not about dorm life or the social experience. That is fun, but ultimately just a lot of similarly clueless individuals being clueless in the same building. The best thing college has to offer is the collected wisdom of the faculty. Get your money’s worth.
- Splurge on barista-made coffee when you like, but do learn to make your own. Find out what methods you like best. You’ll save money and bless others.
- PJ’s and TV sounds comfy, but memories are made when you get outside of your comfort zone (and your dorm room). So just go. No matter how phenomenal your night in was, ten years from now you won’t remember what YouTube videos you watched.
- Bonfires with friends are wonderful things. Food cooked over bonfires with friends is the best-tasting in the world.
- If you want to learn photography, practice by taking pictures of food. Seriously. Trying to make dishes look edible will teach you all you need to know about lighting, shutter speed, setting, etc.
- Go to your brother’s Little League games. I know they’re boring. I know it’s hot. I know you get weird tanlines. But he’ll remember it forever. And if he hits his first home run…you just want to be there for that.
- NEVER. Let. A two-year-old child. Drink coffee. Before taking her to a social event. EVER EVER EVER!!!!
- Buying tickets to games, concerts and events is not a waste. What better can you trade money for than memories?
- Read poetry dangit. What those dead geniuses had to say is more worthwhile than everything on your Tumblr feed put together.
- If you find yourself watching The Bachelor ever again, it is most likely time to reassess your philosophy of entertainment, or relationships, and probably both.
- For future reference: it is probably time to start using a tape recorder when interviewing people.
- When somebody chooses to step out of your life, let them. Don’t fight for what used to be. Do what you should, then leave it in God’s hands.
- Slightly chipped nail polish is OK, but when all you have left is one chip of nail polish…seriously Keely, stop being so lazy and paint your darn nails again. Bronzer on cheekbones is magic in the middle of winter when your summer tan is nothing but a bittersweet memory. You may not look any different, but you’ll feel a lot better. Don’t be afraid of lipstick. All that having been said, makeup is unnecessary and crippling. So wear it sparingly.
- Be gentle on the clutch when driving a hay truck with a bunch of hay haulers balanced precariously on the back.
- Scan old family photos onto your computer to have for those homesick days at school.
- Don’t be intimidated. They are trying just as hard to impress you. (This goes for meeting new people and interviewing Congressmen.)
- Forgive. Forgive. Forgive. Forgive. (70 x 7)
- People will surprise you. Let them. Don’t hold any preconceived ideas except to assume that you will be friends with everybody. Let people break your heart. God holds it. So love others as He loved you: undeservedly and consistently. Never give up on people.
- When tough times come, look around you. The ones who are still there: they are your friends. Like Lena, driving me to the hospital to be with Michaela after her surgery and paying for the fat LA parking ticket that resulted. And Tate borrowing someone’s car to announce he was taking me to a random cafe and buying me cherry pie when I was in the lowest of low points. And Katie and Karla, who so many times rescued me from school when it was the last place I wanted to be and fed me Mrs. E’s enchiladas and let me zombify in their hot tub and play Just Dance Country with their 7-year-old brother who consistently beat me by embarrassing margins. Laura listening to me pour out my soul at two in the morning. Dad missing work and driving down to help us when balancing school and hospital visits got overwhelming. Long talks with Lynlee. Mama sending us endless care packages. Melissa leaving her baby with her husband and staying in the ER with us, talking to the doctors when I was way too tired, not leaving even after hours of sitting and waiting. There were a lot of people who were there for me like this, and I wish I hadn’t started this list because I know I won’t be able to finish it. They are all of the wonderful people who I remember when I look back on 2011.
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