thirteen for 2013: places
1. the MPS stage and auditorium floor
site of: the mousetrap, "maybe this time" performance, seussical, ITS induction, a public apology, eden, arsenic and loving the theatre again
2. Disney World, specifically: the Epcot fireworks and the Downtown Disney stage
site of: realizing my friends cared a whole lot more about me than I ever imagined, my favorite choir performance of my entire life, one of 2013's happiest weekends
3. Italy, specifically: the Duomo in Florence, the Piazza Navona in Rome, the hole-in-the-wall only Evangelical Christian church in Rome
site of: an incredible vacation that awoke a desire to travel and experience all corners of the world
4. Baltimore, specifically: the O'Dwyer Retreat Center and Our Daily Bread soup kitchen
site of: a mission trip that was the first step in being okay again, home to some of the most beautiful faces I've ever seen and some of the most heartbreaking stories I will ever hear
5. two pools: Aunt Dawn's and Jacob's
site of: breathing in New York air and realizing this state and its people will never stop being a part of me (and that's okay)
6. Grace Fellowship Church, NY, specifically: the lobby and the stage
site of: some the hardest goodbyes I've ever had to say, a week's worth of this year's happiest and most beautiful moments
7. Manitou Springs, CO, specifically: the piano in Summit's dining hall, the Incline, the classroom
site of: summit, discovering faith is real, an escape sorely needed and new friends who felt like family
8. the sidewalk that circles my neighborhood, specifically the part of it between my house and his
site of: a couple friendship-formulating walks, an answer I had waited a while to hear, finally feeling possibility
9. Room 203 (Humanities Class)
site of: what is usually a hellish class period turned into feeling what it's like to have your talent appreciated, sharing a piece of writing with a live audience for what was essentially the first time
site of: many a random get-together, a place I can't not feel at home in. post-prom, pre-homecoming, the first ITS officer meeting of a new year and a christmas party that's become tradition.
site of: reunions with my best-friends-basically-sisters, needed reminders that some things never change
site of: hustle and bustle that never fails to fill me with energy and excitement, a newfound motivation to succeed. once and cinderella, meeting santino and laura.
13. Three cars: Erin's, Emily's, Abbey's
site of: some crazy conversations, some needed conversations, singing at the top of our lungs, speeding on the highways or on back roads because we needed a night like this, independence and moments that make high school worth it
