2016 was an odd year, to say the least, full of wtf moments. But it was also the year of spontaneity, the year of making new friendships, and letting go of old ones. It was definitely a good year for me, despite the wtf moments. I got my first ever job as a molecular biologist (!) at a company that I absolutely love, went to my first ever stand-up show (Kevin Hart's What Now tour), started working on my thesis, got in a bunch of travelling to really cool places - Hello, Iran?! And Italy, and England. Went to the Capital for my bff's baby shower. Attended a bunch of weddings - one in Iran! 

I basically fell in love with a bunch of new places, and learned that there are two ends of a spectrum, two sides of a coin - ok, you get it. But it was a year of growth, more so than previous years.

 

Most of my favorites moments of 2016 are not captured with pretty Instagram pictures or even snaps. It's all the great moments that happen, but you realize that you don't need to capture to prove. It's the long-ass FaceTime conversations about everything and nothing, the long drives to your friends house in the middle of the night, the summer road trips to the best hiking spot ever. It's the moments spent in top buns and jogging pants, the makeup-free days. 

 

I learned to appreciate the small things, and for that I will be forever grateful.

I welcome 2017 with open arms. May this year be equally as amazing. 

Let's do this!