2016 was tumultuous for a lot of reasons (cough, politics), but personally, it was maybe the best year I’ve spent on this earth. I quit my full-time job, flew alone to the other side of the world, and spent three of the most glorious and hardest months of my life backpacking in Southeast Asia. I found strength and serenity in myself there, and met some amazing people who will be friends for life. At home, I dug into work with New Americans and somehow was able to pay my rent and feed myself in my first year as a full-time freelancer. I spent a month traipsing around Europe with my sister, spent time with my entire family in Ireland, a place that’s very close to my heart, and loved on friends in places near and far. The entire year was a whirlwind that left me exhausted, grateful, and ready for what’s next.

January

Started life post-full-time-job and became part-time traveler/mostly-full-time-freelancer.
Skiied for the first time in a few years. On top of the mountain is one of my happy places.
Did tons and tons of research on Southeast Asia and budget backpacking to prepare for the trip of a lifetime.
Cooked lots of family dinners with friends. Drank good wine, ate good cheese, learned how to make homemade pasta.

February

Said some tearful goodbyes and set off for a three-month-long solo journey through Southeast Asia.
Rode my first motorbike and didn’t crash (but definitely almost did a few times).
Discovered one of my new favorite places in the world in Myanmar.
Went on my first multi-day trek. Discovered I really love hiking.
Cried, felt homesick, actually sick, and scared.

March

Found joy in revisiting a place I’ve already been.
Found new parts of Thailand I fell in love with.
Ate ALL the Thai curry.
Traveled with my very favorite travel buddy.
Saw some seriously amazing temples at Ankor Wat.

April

Made some wonderful friends traveling in Vietnam.
Hiked a whole lot, and loved every minute of it.
Met up with friends form Omaha for a spectacular end to my trip in Japan.
Had the best (and most expensive) meal of my damn life in Osaka.

May

Made it home in one piece.
Watched my good friend Maddie marry the love of her life.
Jumped back into freelance with meetings, weddings, and shoots.
Flew to Seattle for Sasquatch Music Festival. Saw some of my very favorite bands perform live.

June

Spent a wonderful week shooting photos and video throughout Nebraska for the storytelling leg of Hear Nebraska’s Good Living Tour.
Started working with some amazing people on New American Voice to start telling the stories of refugees in Omaha.
Said goodbye to my childhood home and a lot of memories.

July

Embarked on a month-long adventure with my sister to central Europe.
Ate a lot of cheese and drank a lot of wine.
Watched Erin discover the wonder of traveling abroad.
Visited both new and old friends living in Germany and Sweden.

August

Spent a week in Ireland with our new little family.
Explored old places and some new ones, and had a lot of fun showing my family a country that’s very special to me.
Did a lot of yoga.
Took tons and tons and tons of senior photos.
Had a wonderful day shooting video for Maha Music Festival

September

Worked remote for two weeks in Spirit Lake, ID.
Spent time with so many good friends on boats and in the mountains.
Played Catan more than necessary.
Rode horses.
Reunited with college friends on a last-minute trip to Milwaukee.

October

Photographed concerts again at Lincoln Calling, one of my very favorite festivals.
Watched my mom get married to a wonderful human, and celebrated with some of the best people I know.

November

Visited Montreal with Hannah and ate all the food.
Crossed Vermont off my list of states and enjoyed time in Burlington.
Voted for a woman to be president.

December

Hung out with great friends in Chicago.
Spent time visiting and getting to know refugees in Omaha.
Attended my first photography workshop.
Spent lots of time with our new, now bigger family at all sorts of holiday parties.
Prepared for a great big adventure with Alex and some of our best friends to start out 2017.

2016