2013.....Wow!

Though a few months away, one of my first thoughts of 2013 was "I turn 20 this year...Wow!" Sometimes it is hard to fathom that my teenage years are almost over. Here's a look at my 2012.

     Let's see...I started the year off by attending LeaderShape, which was amazing! January brought some fun winter activities including learning how to play broomball, snowmobiling, sledding, and watching hockey! February included participating in Michigan Tech's famed winter carnival and continued root sorting and moose data entering for my job. It also included the announcement of being hired as the Program Assistant of TreeHouse for this school year. March included spring break, USG budget hearings for student organizations, and the announcement of being hired to work at Northern Tier in Canada over the summer! April brought on Easter, an amazing showing of the northern lights, and the completion of my first year at Michigan Tech.
     The month of May was a nice break from the craziness. Anna visited MN and I got to spend some time at home, visiting with friends and prepping for the summer. I left for Northern Tier on Memorial Day and spent a few weeks in Ely, MN. By mid-June I was in Atikokan, Ontario working in the Trading Post and on the Northern Tier Canoe Base. At the end of June the family came to visit me and we celebrated Canada Day (July 1st) and the 4th of July. I took a few days off and we went to Thunder Bay, ON and Grand Portage, MN. Around this time I learned of the passing of one of my Hill Murray classmates, Adam Gott. May Adam forever rest in God's peace.
     July and the first part of August were spent in Canada. I worked in the Trading Post, relaxed on the lake, went kayaking, and had some great times. Then, on August 15th I came home from Canada and was in Lake Elmo for approximately 24 hours. Before you know it I was unpacked and completely repacked, ready to go up to school to begin training for becoming a Program Assistant. I moved in and began training. The end of August and the beginning of September were hectic as I learned the ropes and everyone got settled. Michigan Tech...Year 2!
     This past semester was the best of the three thus far. I made some amazing friends and some great memories have been made. September included camping, frisbockey, football games, and a host of different programs (guest speakers, tours...even a mushroom walk!). It also held another spectacular viewing of the northern lights. Events in October included volleyball games, soccer games, hockey games, career fair, homecoming, Make a Difference Day, Safehouse, and Halloween. It also included a visit from Uncle Dan and Aunt Nicole as well as a trip to the Porcupine Mountains for a class. November events included voting for the first time and a short trip home to see Angela in the show "Joseph!", which Mom helped to direct. I'll have it noted that this was the first time home (minus the one day in August) since May! Thanksgiving came and after that there were only four more weeks until Christmas! Over Thanksgiving I finally got to see Kayla, who I hadn't seen since before she left for Argentina in early May. The snow fell and the academic load (18 credits) showed itself. Christmas and holiday festivities emerged and the semester finally came to a close.

And that brings us to the last two weeks. Christmas eve was spent here at home with the Yarusso side of the family, as is tradition. It is always great to see cousins and relatives I don't get to see very often. Christmas day we went to Mass and then spent the day at Grandma and Grandpa Widenstrom's house. My new baby cousin was born Christmas eve and we got to see her on Christmas day. Her name is Meysalyn Hope. See pics! The day after Christmas I spent helping at church and then with the Logans. We also reconvened for Christmas dinner, take 2 at Grandma and Grandpa's. Last Friday I had a dentist appointment and then that night we had some family time. We went to dinner, drove through the Holiday Light Show at Phalen Park, and then went and saw the movie Guilt Trip. It is always nice when all six of us are able to do things together.
     Last Sunday I was the emcee at an Eagle Court of Honor for two friends. After the ceremony we went to Mary's for our annual Mary Merry Christmas! This year Mary through us a curve ball and we took Mary Merry Christmas on the road! Mary took us all to the Ordway in downtown St. Paul to see Elf the Musical. It was really fun! Great music and a good show. More good family time :) Monday Kayla left for Florida for a conference so we said our goodbyes until March. Tuesday we rang in the new year with our annual new years day party. The rest of the week has been fairly relaxing. I did some necessary errands, including shopping/bank/etc. Yesterday I went to watch the HM boys hockey team beat Edina 2-1 in overtime. Today was another "nap in front of the fireplace with the dog" kind of day.

A quiet week is ahead. A few minor things and then I'm headed back to Houghton on Saturday! Also, I would like to update you all on some changes coming to my blog and photos. I have a new domain name, http://kyleyarusso.com. This new address will be the MAIN SITE and then from there you can go to the blog, my photos, and soon-to-be more! The address sayyatodaupeh.blogspot.com will still get you to the blog directly.

Wishing you all the best in 2013!