2016.
New Friends.
Moving.
Independence.
Loneliness.
Travel.
Hangovers.
Failed Relationships.
Bad Dates.
Restoration.
Laughter.
Tears.
Music.
Weddings.
Sleep.
No Sleep.
Confusion.
Realization.
Reading.
Decisions.
Faking It.
Success.
Failure.
Hope.
So, if you want to skip the rest of the blog, that about sums it up. (But I promise, it's not the fun part!)
For those of you who've decided to stick around--welcome to another round of Shelby's blogging adventures. Always bound to make you chuckle and think to yourself "at least my life isn't as chaotic as hers". ;) Kidding. Maybe. It's relative. Whatever.
Alllllright. Where should I start? How about January 1st, 2016? Yeah?
I woke up to 2016 with a raging hangover. I had no dreams and hopes or certainties about the upcoming year. Honestly, there wasn't much depth to any of my thoughts at that point. I was living fast. I was living day to day with no clue what the good Lord had in store for me. (And it was a LOT!!!!)
Thankfully, in one short year--I've come a long way! And done a lot of cool things! And met a lot of cool people! And traveled to a lot of places!
I'm kinda flying by the seat of my pants on this one people--I don't have an overwhelming theme for this blog except that I'm not that scared lost lonely sad "January 1st, 2016 Shelby" anymore and I've had a lot of cool/scary/sad/happy/humbling awesome experiences this year that have helped me become a less lost/embracing the uncertainty and chaos "January 1st, 2017 Shelby". ;)
Let's talk highlights, people. Enjoy.
On January 24th, 2016--I settled into my apartment. Living alone sucked. Do not recommend. But hey, it was cute:
On March 20, 2016--I was smack dab in the middle of Paris, France. The company I worked for sent me there for a "Group Integration Seminar".
On March 20, 2016 I saw the Eiffel Tower. I was eating my meals at a pretty castle outside the city every day.
On March 21st, 2016.....I'll save this detail until after Paris details.
On March 24th, 2016 I went to the Palace of Versailles.
And then on March 25, 2016--I was riding around the city, by myself, on top of a double decker bus, stopping at all of the places I had only seen in movies. Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, The Louvre...ME. I WAS DOING THAT.
Here are some of the pictures I took:
Amazing.
SO. ALSO.
March 21st, 2016. The cool thing that happened while I was in Paris--I got an interview request for a job at Summit Polymers in Portage, MI. Game changer. Going back home was so close, I could taste it. Screw Paris (not really, not at all), BUT this was a real opportunity to finally be back home. There was a hope stirring within me.
Shelly or Shelby... whatever. I'm going HOME.
April 1st, 2016--April Fool's Day! Oh yeah, and my divorce was finalized.
On April 7th, 2016, I received my job offer from Summit Polymers.
On April 7th, 2016, I put in my two week notice at Plastic Omnium and cried/laughed my whole drive home.
April 21, 2016 was my last day at Plastic Omnium. My program managers had a going away party for me. They're dorks.
On April 27th, 2016--I did what any unemployed person would do--and I took my best friend to Vegas for a week.
On May 1st, 2016 I moved into my Dad and step-mom's basement and I started work at Summit Polymers as a Manufacturing Technical Leader on May 2nd, 2016. I was finally home. <3
On May 2nd, 2016--I met my best friend in the whole world. This girl has changed my world. We've been inseparable since that day.
On May 20, 2016--I turned 25! I had my 4th annual 21st birthday party surrounded by all of my favorite people. Let the quarter life crisis commence!
On June 25th, 2016, my best friend got married. That was awesome.
And so began, the free and fast summer of Shelby Jones. Filled with sunsets, bonfires, friends, baseball games, miller lites, and FAMILY. I was adjusting well.
July 24th, 2016, Linny Lou and I saw Jon Bellion in concert in Detroit. That was radical.
On August 1st, 2016, I moved in with two of the goofiest, most hilarious, kindest, most loving and beautiful women I have EVER met in my life. I feel like I should write a blog on all of the shit that has gone on in this castle of crazies since I've moved in...we have fun.
August 11, 2016--my grandma Miki passed away. She was amazing. Gave me one of the greatest gifts on earth-my Daddy D. On August 12th, 2016, DD and I had a few beers together and celebrated her life.
On September 10, 2016, my best friend(s) got married. Kristin and Nate Thompson. They know how to throw a party.
On October 13th, 2016--I was in the heart of Guanajuato, Mexico. I was in Silao for work and was able to go into Guanajuato to be a tourist. Beautiful city.
On November 4th, 2016 I booked a flight to Tacloban City, Philippines.
On November 25th, 2016 at 6am I landed in Tacloban and on November 26th, 2016--AGAIN--my best friend got married. (I also lost my shoes that day--but that's a minor detail.)
SO--that brings us to the present. I've done some cool things this year. In the midst of all these blessings--I've been becoming.
Just becoming.
I don't have it all together. I'm sitting here eating the last bit of moosetracks out of the carton. God, will I ever? Not likely. But, I've come a long way since the sorry sad hungover "January 1st, 2016 Shelby".
I'm so thankful for the experiences and the people that have walked in (and out) of my life this year.
Here's to 2017 being the best year of my life. Thank you to all who have played an integral role in getting "January 1st, 2016 Shelby" off of her sorry ass and back on her feet. I owe it all to you all and to Jesus.
December 13th, 2016.....
hahaha. I love you guys.
Shelby
