2023 - A Collection of Memories

Instructions

2023 was a year of many bumps, bruises, tears but also many smiles and laughs. School was tough, it was 3 whole hours on zoom with only a 10 min break to get water and food. In June I had to say goodbye to my teacher who wasn't able to teach us anymore due to her little kids, who I'd had since 3rd grade and had been such an inspiration and joy in my life. It was hard, because I had no idea what I'd be doing for school in September. I was also incredibly lonely, I had nothing in common with any of my friends, they were all extremely loud and would always interrupt or insult me whenever I tried to speak. My teachers at my programs didn't know how to teach and I was completely miserable. I just wanted to return to my old state and old friends, who had also been becoming more and more distant. I was so grateful when the end of June came along and I could reunite with my summer friends who are so wonderful, goofy and sweet. I felt like I belonged with them more then I belonged with anyone else, but I still somehow felt out of place due to being a nerdy bookworm homeschooler who didn't have anything the other girls had. But I became closer with two of my friends in particular, and I continue to think of them as my best friends because I share the most in common with them. I can be my real crazy self around them, it was such a relief. The end of the summer was heartbreaking for me as my grandfathers girlfriend kicks us out of his house every summer in order for her not so nice family to come. I only get to see my summer friends once a year as they all live in different parts of the country. In September I started doing all online classes with an online Waldorf school, it was fun at first but slowly it became more difficult as I became lonelier. I didn't see any kids my own age who I actually knew for months on end. My eldest brother, who always makes me smile and laugh, moved to Europe for art school. It was really hard to see him go away again as he'd been living with us for 4 years and he's the only one in my family who laughs at the same jokes as me. The only place I could be myself and that brought me some joy was Scratch, where I made so many friendships within the SWC community. And then once again my parents talked about moving, they always do, it's a common conversation in my family. But this time they were serious, they put our house up on the market even though we had no idea which state we would move to. And then we got an offer.... 2024 will be a year of change for my family, and it will be tough, but it will also be an adventure. We sold our house and we have to be out by February, we don't know where we're going and we don't what we'll do. We may visit my brother in Europe, and we'll visit my other brother and his fiancee as well as all my grandparents. It will be hard, not having a home or stability for who knows how long but I'm glad I have all my SWC buddies to keep me sane amongst the chaos. Thank you all for being there for me and putting up with my wackiness <3 I don't know what I'd do without any of you. Every single one of you SWCers, even the newer ones or the ones I don't know very well mean the world to me, even through our small conversations. Some people who I'm particularly thankful for are: Mouse, Reese, Kenzie, Poppy, Ris, Jean, Dawn, Em, Natbatcat, Raya, both Vi's, Moss, Moonlit, Pepper, Nova, Finley and many many more (sorry if I forgot you, there are so many people who I'm thankful for this year)! I love you guys <33 My New Years resolution is to stop procrastinating and being so negative about everything (also to convince my parents to let me keep homeschooling lol any tips are appreciated), oh and to write that book ive been thinking about for so long ;) thanks for being here and reading all that, ilysm <3 cheers to 2024!