Sharing a meal on an outdoor patio in Nuremberg.

Around this time of year it’s customary to send out a Christmas card and letter to your friends and family; I can’t manage to mail out Christmas cards this year, so I’m opting for the digital version. Not as personal but I hope it does the job!

And every year is another adventure. Early in the year, I made the decision (which seemed momentous at the time) to not return for the season at the travel agency, but to give the “museum thing” one more solid effort. I thought, ‘I’ll give it another year, and if it doesn’t pan out, then I give up!’ Since then I’ve volunteered at the Glen Ellyn Historical Society, worked with the Curator of the Elmhurst Art Museum, attended the American Alliance of Museums conference in Seattle, started working in the gift shop of the Art Institute of Chicago, and even presented a short session at the Illinois Association of Museums conference in Rockford. Wow! I wonder what 2015 will bring.

This year has also had it’s ups and downs. Dad’s near heart attack and subsequent quadruple bypass surgery made the summer seem to fly by. The first few weeks were full of hospital visits, and then came the long road to recovery. My part time work schedule was well suited to helping out. And while we never want to repeat those months, it made us count our blessings and remember to pray.

There have also been exciting and happy moments this year, of course! I participated in the Triton Troupers Circus again, performing in silks, web, and double stunts, and having a record number of people come see the show (my parents brought their whole bible study group!). I took a contortion class too, and learned many new things. And travel is always a part of my life; in October I went on vacation to Germany with Brian and Jessica. While I wished the trip were longer, we had fun seeing friends and visiting new places, and enjoying the beer and sausage!

All in all, 2014 has been a rather difficult but rewarding year. I learned a lot, and stretched myself in ways I didn’t think possible. I paid off my student loan, and traded it for rent. The biggest change has been working downtown, and moving into an apartment in Chicago. It all sounds very adult, but don’t worry: I still eat loads of macaroni and cheese.

Anyways, have a very Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and may God shower blessings on you.