2020 Highlights (& Lowlights)

**My paternal grandmother writes an annual Highlights letter to inform family and friends on how the year went, what was accomplished, where we traveled, etc. I always enjoy reading the letter she puts together each year. While my “highlights” will still appear in her letters, I thought I’d begin to write annual updates as well (traditions are good, ya know?). I have not kept my online presence very active this past year - so, this is my trying to make up for it...kinda. . **

Wow, what a year to start off the “roaring twenties!” If you’re anything like me, the start of a year, or decade in this case, is a perfect time to start new goals, and routines. At the beginning of this year, I created a well-thought-out list of goals and resolutions. In retrospect, I should not have such high hopes that everything is going to go smoothly or as planned. Truthfully, I thought we were off to a good start in the first couple months. I moved home to my mom’s in Oct of 2019 and resided there through the new year. Other than re-connecting with my family after four years of undergrad, I was back with my home physician to begin my journey with Accutane. Though, it took around a month of cold weather and one snowfall for my easy decision on moving back to Arizona. At the end of January, I was accepted into the MBA Program at Grand Canyon University, in Phoenix, Arizona.

In January, I visited my good friend, Hannah, in Salt Lake City. We snowboarded the mountains from day-to-night. We also spent a night in Park City for dinner and the Sundance Film Festival. The end of February I flew to Los Angeles for a girl’s weekend with Bri, and Lauren. They showed me the city, we ate real good food, and enjoyed a hike up Runyon Canyon. On my return, I made a pit stop in Phoenix to check out the GCU campus, look at potential apartments, and had a few interviews for potential jobs. During this trip, the world slowly started contracting, and spreading COVID19. The United States still felt pretty invincible at this time, or at least we all seemed to believe the illness wouldn’t venture overseas.

I signed a lease in Phoenix that began in May. I planned to move to Phoenix to continue job hunting and prepare for a school routine again. This was slowly beginning to seem more un-likely as COVID isolated us.

I worked at my mother’s preschool since I moved back. We were considered an essential business until the mandatory quarantine ordered by Governor Evers on March 24th had officially shut us down. On March 25th, I was furloughed. I was unemployed for 18 weeks. My household quarantined for 68 straight days. From this, came a few newfound hobbies, such as reupholstering furniture found around the farm, simple woodworking projects, and this website/blog/vlog. My creativity outlets blossomed, and I’m beyond thankful for that. With COVID, and all the craziness in the world, I felt safe at home for the time being.

With lifted restrictions, in June, my mother, Kurt and Parker were gracious enough to drive a full car and Uhaul from Wisconsin to Arizona, for my final move. We made it to Phoenix in around 4 days. I’m grateful they were here to help move all my belongings to my 2nd floor apartment. . . with no elevator 😅

I was still unemployed at this point. I unenrolled from GCU for the time being, due to my financial situation. I was truly unsure how long I would be without a job. Let’s just say, I had ~a lot~ of time to decorate the apartment, read a few books, and continue to pass the time with this website.

A few swings and misses - but I applied, interviewed, and found a job at the end of July! I accepted a position in the warranty department for Creative Environments, a landscape design company. I work directly with clients and in-field crews to provide satisfactory warranty claims. I’ve been able to take on several small projects, and expand my skill set in so many aspects. I learn so much every day and continue to grow in a professional manner.

While getting into the routine of a new job and city, I find myself hiking and exploring the mountains on the weekends. It’s definitely different than Tucson up here! I found a local church, that I enjoy Sunday mornings at with close friends. And, though it was more difficult than usual to get together, out-of-town friends came to celebrate my birthday in October. My college roommates were able to get together a couple times during the holiday season as well.

A few other family/life tidbits - I officially became an Arizona resident. I was in the top 1% of Morgan Wallen listeners on Spotify. I reached my mid-twenties 😅 I got my third tattoo, in honor of Will Kellerman. I became a car owner. I voted in my first presidential election. My father sold the house I grew up in, but has great plans to build a new homestead with Kerri. Tori (19 y/o) graduated high school & started her first year at University of Minnesota. Teagan (17y/o) probably never thought she'd be "homeschooled," but is braving through her junior year with school-from-home & still playing hockey. My mom opened a second preschool location - Once Upon A Time Schoolhouse! My mom & Kurt seem to have everything on the farm ~almost~ finished. They were finally able to move the horses there! Lauren (24 y/o) moved to the farm and is working at the new school as well. Parker (15 y/o) is playing basketball for Belleville High School, and preparing to get his license next summer!

To sum it all up,

this year was quite different. . .a bit crazy, unsocial, scary, questionable, & ______ (you fill in this blank). But, we made it y’all ! Recently, I read Paul’s Letter to the Romans, which seems to pose the question of “Now what?” which I feel is a prominent and rightfully asked question as we close 2020. Romans 5:3-5 illustrates that our sufferings produce endurance, character, and hope. And while we cannot expect sufferings, when they do happen, we can rejoice in them. We have endured a lot this year. Whether you contracted COVID, lost a loved one, became unemployed, or were directly affected by the riots, protests, or the election.

From these events, many of our characters have grown, and I personally benefited seeing the quiet voices speak up in adversities. Finally, with the tensions and tribulations of this year, I believe many of us now have hope. Hope for union, health, and the well-being of each other and this world.

With the close of this year, as always, there is a new year to look forward to. Annually, I make a goals and areas in my life I’d like to grow in. Forthcoming, I want to focus on making the effort to lead and inspire in beneficial ways not only for myself, but for all of you. Being more vulnerable and open is an area I’m working on. I plan to continue this blog/mini vlog (at least until my domain expires hahah). As for now, have fun exploring/reading/judging/interacting with my pages.

I would love to hear what you have in mind or planned for your new year :)

Xoxo,

2020 Morg