2010 in Review.

As one of the last days of 2010 draws to a close, I can't help but reminisce at every second experienced throughout this difficult yet amazing year. It was one of the hardest of my life, yet one of the best. Situations have been thrust upon me that have changed my self and my life forever, & I have grown up. I have lost good friends and gained even more. A great year with groundbreaking, life changing, radical adventures. So, without further ado, a summary of my year!

What 2010 brought...

Acquired a better, more professional camera and began taking photography seriously, extensively planning shoots. Began interning for one of my role models / a local artist. Dropped the pseudonym "Sprinkle" and began writing under my real name, Maddie. Spent an entire year on the school debate team and increased my passion and knowledge of politics. Began researching and believing in the law of attraction. Created a facebook fanpage for my photography and began scheduling senior portrait shoots. Saw Tegan and Sara in concert. Flew across the ocean to live in France for two weeks through an exchange program. Attended my first feminist music festival. Turned sixteen. Acquired my driver's license. Attended tea parties + smeared "feminist warpaint" across my cheeks. Saw Jack Johnson in concert. Watched, overwhelmed with bliss, as Prop 8 was overturned. Published an article in Snippets Magazine. Began the second half of my high school career as an upperclassman. Started what has become an amazing friendship with Cassidy + spent many a night skyping with her and her friends. Saw She & Him in concert. Attended my first roller derby. Filled a bathtub with golden glitter and took copious amounts of photos. Saw Vampire Weekend in concert. Took my first ten page essay test. Discovered and cultivated an obsession with the Riot Grrrl movement. Attended multiple costume parties dressed as Nancy Drew and a girl of the 1960's. Attended a portfolio day at a local art institute and began communicating with multiple college representatives. Had my editorial on women in Greek mythology published in an issue of Style Sample magazine. Released the premiere issue of Courtney & I's own feminist fashion magazine, Missfits. Lost my best friend & fairy godmother to a long battle with cancer. Experienced pain. Felt comfort and the outreach of amazing peers. Felt love deeper than I've ever felt it before. & So Much More...

Number of Photos Taken... At a rough estimate, over 5,600 photos!

What 2011 brings...

Four more issues to be released of Missfits. The beginning of my last year of high school. Applying for art school. Spending a week or two in California with Cassidy + my favorite ladies, fingers crossed. Possibly traveling to NYC to photograph an art show. Completing my last semester of math until college. Creating even more amazing memories with the people I love. Spending hours upon hours taking + editing photographs. Spending even more hours creating art. Developing a young women's club at my school. Taking the ACT and SAT standardized tests. Turning seventeen. & So Much More...

I am beyond excited. Despite the cliche, predictable nature of the statement, I can honestly say that I feel 2011 is going to be my year. By this time next year, only four more months of high school will stand between me and my future. Bring it on, two thousand and eleven. I await you with open arms + a smile of optimism upon my lips.

In this video, in order as it appears... Underwater shoot, photo booth fun, highlights from my trip to France, (including my host family + French sister Ludivine, & Lady Gaga in a crêperie!), a summer shoot with my friend Molly, Jack Johnson in concert, my art class sisters (two of whom have since moved across the country!), feminist warpaint with my cousin + Courtney, my friend Ben's band & their backyard show, Jordan's solo of her hit single Running in Your Jammies, memories from art class, Chinese food adventures, Scrabble Club, beautiful sunsets, skype with Cass + Nikki, city nights, roller derby, photos from Homecoming, Vampire Weekend in concert, Oktoberfest, Halloween (root beer, not alcohol!), She & Him, my cousin & I singing cheesily, milkshakes & thrift store shenanigans, behind the scenes photos of my Greek mythology shoot, the actual release of my editorial + the photos included, annual vintage cocktail party downtown, Jordan's goodbye cupcakes, my art family, photo booth fun, annual Youth in Government convention at our state capitol, the release of Missfits, various collages of photos from '10, singing Katy Perry in the car with Hunter + Courtney, & Tuesday's balloon photo shoot. Phew!

Happy New Year, everyone.

xoxo, Maddie.