21

21.

What?

I’m 21 years old today, which seems a bit unreal.

I normally am not a big fan of my birthday (I mean usually its super cold, and I’d really rather have something cool to do, but normally I have school, etc.). However, I always try to make the best of it.

I’ve made it 21 years without drinking, and tonight I’m not going out to be wild either; but instead, I’m spending some time at my pastors’ house.  I am excited to turn 21, however, because my license is finally sideways like I’m an adult, and I can now apply to be a CASA (Court-Appointed-Specialized Advocate) for children who are going through abuse/neglect cases. 

Birthdays are such funny things.  For me, I always end up reflecting back on how I’ve changed over the past year.  And this year?  This year has been full of changes.

The past year -

December 2017 – I began my winter quarter at MCC, and had to drive to the Fort Omaha campus. I got my bangs cut, which never really ended up working out (wish I could rock them, but my hair is just too curly).  On Christmas Eve, I attended Fremont First UMC again for the first time in years!

January 2018 – I tried to start working out again, and on January 1, the first day of working out, I severely sprained my ankle. Needless to say, I was in a boot for a while and also could not work out. I got to enjoy some days off of classes, and my uncle Wayne came to visit!  I met with Bill and Melissa for the first time (at Milady of course), and started going back to church. I also applied for my current job.

February 2018 – We got our guinea pigs, Fred and George… (which by the way, if you live near Fremont and want some new pets, we might be putting them up for adoption, a cat, a dog, and 2 guinea pigs are really a lot). My criminal justice program took some trips, and I started questioning whether or not my transferring-to-UNO-and-moving-to-Omaha plan was what I really wanted/needed.  I went through the interview process for my job.

March 2018 – March was an awesome month for me.  I got to go to Branson for Brynn’s gymnastics meet.  We also watched Madison Kocian, Kyla Ross, and rest of the UCLA team compete in Lincoln. Then, I competed in the national competition for CJ, which was in CLEVELAND OHIO, a place I’ve wanted to go for a long time.  While I was in Cleveland, I finally got to share the news that I was hired! And the day I flew home from Cleveland, I got to lead youth group for the first time.  I also started my last quarter on-campus at MCC.  AND, my best friend moved to TEXAS. :(   When I flew home from Cleveland, my ears started hurting.

April 2018 – April basically flew by.  I was at my new job, and I loved it!  I also got to visit OPD with my CJ program, which was pretty neat.  I went to the doctor about my ears and not being able to hear, but my lovely PCP just told me it was nothing.

May 2018 – I finally got my mom to go to Milady in May.  I got to see Brynn at her school do this hall of history thing, which since I didn’t go to Arlington, it was pretty cool to be there during her school day and sorta see what it’s like for her.  I got MARJORLY sunburnt in May, too.  I think the worst sunburn I’d ever had. 

June 2018 – I got to go to Ohio in June, and see all my fave relatives.  We also got to go to Cedar Point, which has been on my bucket list since I was about 7 years old! My grandma turned 96 and we got to celebrate her birthday with her.  I also got to go to Young Preacher’s Festival at the Church of the Resurrection, which was when I realized I am definitely called to Methodist ministry.  I went to Urgent Care one Sunday afternoon because my ears were really bothering me and I couldn’t hear out of my right ear.  I started to realize something was wrong, and I got referred to an ENT specialist.  There, I had an MRI and a hearing test ordered.  I found out I have some permanent hearing loss.

July 2018 – I got to go to Daytona Beach with Brynn and my mom – one of the best trips

I have ever been on.  I also got fitted for my hearing aid, and purchased my own.  I started trying to learn sign language.  I got to lead my very first Mission Trip, which was incredibly successful and amazing.  God is so, so great.  Brynn also marched in the parade with band, which was cool to watch!

August 2018 – I saw Hawk Nelson and David Crowder! I also found out that I have astigmatism in my left eye, but the eye doc said if I wear my glasses a lot it might go away.  I completed reading the entire Bible, which had been my goal for the summer.  I also began classes at Midland. And, I got my nose pierced, and passed out in the process.

September 2018 – I have since had to quit due to my schedule, but I got a bid to be in Phi Omega at Midland in September. Finnegan was also born in September, so I got to see him and also help take care of some of the things in the church, which was pretty cool.  Youth group has been going super well this fall, and we have grown a bit.  I love seeing them each week.

October 2018 – I got the opportunity to preach! I also got to see Ed Sheeran (aka the love of my life) for a third time, this time from the front row at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, with Tiffany of course.  One of the BEST nights of the year, and my hearing was fluctuating towards being able to hear that night, which I really appreciated.  Chelsea Peretti liked my Halloween costume – Gina Knows Best, so that was pretty rad.

Become part of the hard-of-hearing/Deaf community this year wasn’t something I really planned, but I’m beginning to learn more and more about how to deal with it. 

I’m looking forward to the amount of food I get to eat today, and the most wonderful time of the year (Advent – Christmas).  What’s better than celebrating Jesus? Nothin’.  I also get to go back to Ohio next month, which I am SO looking forward to!  And from what I understand, my best friend is also coming back to Nebraska next month.  (I love, love, love the holidays.)

While I’m not going to be too wild today, I am taking a break from homework-type things and I am quite enjoying that.  Due to the holiday, my Tuesday night class even got cancelled, so I get to spend the evening NOT on campus! 

While in some respects I feel like I should be upper-20s or early-30s by now, I honestly cannot believe I’m 21 years old.  As long as it’s always acceptable to come home after a long day and read Harry Potter, I think I’ll be okay. 

Thanks for reading my ramblings,

Hannah Michelle