2012: Year in Review

Trafalger Square from the Top of a Double Decker Bus

As I sit here writing the 2012: Year in Review post, I get to enjoy the comfort of a warm blanket, some hot chocolate, and watch the snow fall outside. Clearly, I'm enjoying my winter break at home! 

It's hard to believe that this year is almost over. It seems as if I was just starting my last semester at Syracuse just yesterday. Yet, today, I've got one term of grad school already done. Time flies when you are having fun and working hard. I made a lot of memories this year; some were not so great, but the majority of them, I will carry with me forever. (Thank goodness for tons of photos.)

I left my mark at Chucks

So, here we go..a short year in review complete with those photos that I mentioned.

Danielle and Me

Governor Howard Dean

January: 

• Attend the Politics and Media Seminar at the Washington Center in DC for research on my honors thesis 
• Met Governor Howard Dean and others inspirations at the Seminar
• Got to meet two of my now good friends, Lexi and AJ, at the seminar
• Was Reunited with my Summer 2011 Roommate, Danielle
• Returned to Syracuse for my last semester
• Got Accepted into the London School of Economics on the first day of the last semester at Syracuse

February:

• Participated in my last formal Pi Beta Phi recruitment as a collegian member
• Reunion of Lawrinson 12 

Katie, Kari, and me meeting Brandon Triche (SU Basketball Player) 

Celebrating my 22nd Birthday 

Elite 8 Game in Boston

March: 

• Turned 22 Years Old
• Spent Spring Break at Syracuse with some of my best friends as we finished our capstone projects
• Traveled to Boston with my Best Friend, Katie, for the Syracuse Elite 8 Game
• Met the Entire Basketball Team (one final go!)

One Final Mayfest 

Group Photo with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton 

Remembrance Scholars 

April:

• Participated in the 2012 Dulye Leadership Experience. This time, I was on the side of the student project manager and an alumna of the program
• Met Senator Chuck Schumer
• Met Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
• Participated on the Remembrance Scholar Selection Committee
• Finished my Honors Capstone Project/Political Science Distinction Thesis
• Had One Final MAYFEST

My Nephew and Me 

Oriana and Me at the Remembrance Scholar Brunch

Honors Convocation with my Parents

May:

• Defended my thesis for the political science distinction program
• Presented my thesis at Honors Capstone Day
• Participated in final senior activities such as Remembrance Scholar Brunch, Senior Sunday, and Senior Celebration
• Graduated from Syracuse University complete with three ceremonies and Aaron Sorkin being my Commencement Speaker
• Got to see my Brother and Nephew for Graduation 

June:

• Started my summer internship with the U.S. Department of Education 
• Finished my internship with the U.S. Department of State
• Was Home for the First Summer in Ages

Reunion

July:

• Took a road trip to Pennsylvania 
• Got Reunited with my friends, Ashlie and Erin
• Granted my student visa for England 

Orange Reunion

August:

• Took a road trip to Connecticut to see my best friend, Katie
• Travled to NYC for the day for random meet-ups, a musical, and a ton of macaroons!
• Attended a Syracuse New Student Send Off with Erin 
• Wrote a freelance article for the International Political Forum
• Landed another remote internship with the U.S. Department of State

LSE Orientation 

Buckingham Palace

September:

• Visited Syracuse for one final goodbye
• Moved to London, England and settled into Notting Hill
• Started my pre-semester course at the London School of Economics
• Met my seven close friends in my program
• Realized how close the MPA program was at the Boat Party, and realized how lucky I was to have such a fun program
• Heard Kofi Annan Speak

MPA Retreat 

MPA Retreat

October:

• Started official grad school courses
• Landed an internship in London
• Attended the MPA Retreat and Halloween Party 
• Voted Absentee Ballot 

White Cliffs of Dover

Prince William

November:

• Realized my love for STATA and regressions
• Traveled to Dover 
• Saw the Royal Family 
• Celebrated the Engagement of Two Close Friends 
• Celebrated Obama's Victory
• Took a road trip in England with Emma and Zaina
• Traveled to Chatsworth House
• Selected to be the Contributing Editor for the Journal of Public and International Affairs 

Jenny and Me at the Holiday Party 

Mumford and Sons 

December: 

• Attended the MPA Holiday Party
• Completed my first term of graduate school
• Will Attend my First SU Basketball game as an alumna
• Saw Mumford and Sons 
• Attended my first Pi Phi Alumnae Event