Closed Case: 2011

Generally, I have always loved the whole concept of New Year. Every year around Christmas I get anxious, like I couldn't wait to get rid of the old year and start a new one. For me it has always been all about rebirth, a chance to start all over again, a tabula rasa to be filled with new experiences and adventures.

However, this year I feel sad when I realize that this really is the last day of 2011. Tomorrow 2011 will be history, it will be the "last year" and we'll have the whole new 2012 in front of us. Like I said, usually I would find this idea very comforting (even liberating), but 2011 in my life has been so different than any year before, that I'm finding it hard to let it go. If I could decide if I'd like to get a new year, or start 2011 all over again tomorrow, I wouldn't hesitate - I'd live 2011 again, each and every day and hour of it.

2011 was perfect.

I feel I could write a three volume novel about 2011, and still right now I have difficulties finding the right words to describe my year. After studying 16 years (elementary school, high school, boarding school and then university) I finally had a chance to take a year off and do whatever I wanted. Time to get to know myself and find out what I really want to do with my life. Time to travel, read, photograph... time to think. This year has really changed me, and I think right now I'm happier than I've ever been.

Because pictures speak more than words, let me show you some of my favorite memories from 2011...

 

I fell in love with Barcelona, and started studying Spanish.

I met Jeniffer in São Paulo, Brazil.

I took a new tattoo as a souvenier in Brazil.

I saw my favorite band 30 Seconds to Mars in Barcelona, São Paulo, Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius.

I worked at the cemetery for 4 months during the summer, and I still love the job & the team so much! This is a photo of Abby (my boss) and me at our gravedigger's (in the middle) farewell party when he retired.

I spent almost 5 months of the year in South Karelia. I finally had a chance to spend a lot of time with my nephew Shan. He's the coolest kid I know.

While in South Karelia, I also spent a lot of time with my sister Miia. I think we haven't been this close since the early childhood, and I love it. I love her so much (eventhough sometimes she's such a jerk, of course) The time I spend with her this year made me realize how much I've missed her, and I won't let us drift apart again.

The paradox of studying literature is that when you're studying, you don't have time to read. In 2011 I wasn't studying, so I had time to read A LOT, mainly modern American classics.

I bought a new camera, Nikon D3100.

I got the cutest car...

...and fell in love with the idea of a road trip. For starters I drove the car all alone from South Karelia to North Karelia - I think I've never felt more free. I simply love cars & driving.

I spent an awesome weekend in Tallinn, Estonia with my Echelon friends...

...and we took a friggin' limousine to the concert venue when we went to see 30 Seconds to Mars (Tallinn IS the Vegas of Europe, you know that) xD

I went for a holiday in Vienna with Abby, and that's where I really got into my hobby of photographing cemeteries.

I drove aimlessly around North Karelia, visited Koli national park and learnt that I don't always have to travel abroads - Finland is a pretty nice place too, and here's still a lot for me to discover.

...I could add a thousand photos and a gazillion stories, but I think this will give you a picture of my year. It was great, and I will never forget all I've seen & experienced in 2011. I'm thankful for everything I've got. This year has taught me that I really can do whatever I want, and that in the end the only thing that matters, is that I'm happy and in peace with myself. Yes, I'm sad this adventure called 2011 is ending, but I'm also excited to see what happens in 2012. There will be some major changes in my life, but I'm confident it will all work out. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR ❤

yours truly*