Maddie's 2019 Year in Review
- Maddie Sheinker
- Jan 1, 2020
- 4 min read
2019 was unlike any year I have ever encountered. I traveled more than I've ever traveled. I met new friends, even when I assumed I already had all the friends I needed. I also lost some friends and realized how much people can change. I I had a summer internship in the big city and realized both what I want to do in the future, and what I don't want to do. I turned 21 and was finally able to legally drink! I started my final year of college and embraced some of my first lasts (last first day of class, last tailgate, last bid day). So here's to 2019... month by month.
January
I started my study abroad experience this month and took the longest flight I've ever taken (24 hours) to Sydney, Australia. I became best friends with my roommates, scuba dived the Great Barrier Reef, sand boarded down dunes in Port Stephens, and experienced almost every beach in Sydney for the first time.
February
Just when I finally began to adjust to Australian life, my friends and I boarded a flight to my dream destination... Thailand. We spent about 2 weeks in this country. Walking the streets and markets of Bangkok, zip lining and playing with elephants in Chiang Mai, hiking and bamboo rafting through a cave in Pai, and snorkeling and living on a boat in the Thai islands. Dream destination = fulfilled! And when we returned back to Sydney, we attended Ultra music festival where I got to see one of my favorites, Martin Garrix, perform.
March
This month, I started to get a little homesick. But it didn't last long! Suddenly, we were off to Bali for a quick weekend trip (lol, never thought I'd say that). We visited temples, waterfalls, spas and beach clubs galore. I also took a weekend trip with a friend to the northern Sydney beaches. Despite the rainy weather, we had the best time eating and shopping.
April
We visited the city of Brisbane, Australia and a cute little beach town called Byron Bay. I went on a hot air balloon for the first time, went to the beach, ate a lot (obviously), and shopped a lot (obviously). Also, back in Sydney, I climbed the Sydney Harbor Bridge and took in the incredible view of the Sydney Opera House. For our spring break, we road tripped through the south island of New Zealand for 2 weeks. We rented a car and stayed in hostels. I sky dived, rode in a helicopter, hiked a glacier, had a panic attack on top of a mountain (lol), kayaked, rode horse back, and saw some of the most beautiful views I've ever seen.
May
We spent a weekend shopping, eating and road tripping through the 12 Apostles in Melbourne. And then another weekend camping, hiking and sleeping in a car and a tent in the outback of Australia. We also rode camels at sunrise. If you know me, you know camping isn't my thing, but I'm so glad I experienced it. We spent our last two weeks embracing our favorite things about Sydney: the beaches, the cafes, and the markets.
June
Our time abroad had come to an end, and it was time to return back to New Jersey. I was so happy to be reunited with my family and friends, but I still think about Australia every day. I began my summer fashion PR internship in New York City and met even more friends. Some days I dreaded it and some days I loved it. I also started going to Orangetheory consistently to try and lose the abroad weight lol.
July
I celebrated the 4th of July with my home friends by lounging at the pool. Then my mom surprised me and my family with a trip to Turks and Caicos, where I turned 21! I've never seen ocean water as blue and warm as it was there. I continued my internship, Orangetheory, and catching up with friends and family. My friends and I also celebrated my 21st in New York City by going to dinner, going out and staying the night in the lower east side.
August
As the end of summer approached, I ended my internship and got ready to go back to school. As always, I was sad to leave my family but I was PUMPED to see my college friends. We had bid day, the first day of class and the first night out!
September
School became stressful! And so did applying for jobs! But I was still having so much fun with my college friends, going out and tailgating. My mom and aunt came down for parents weekend and we spent it in Charleston, South Carolina. We went to the beach, shopped, and ate and it was the perfect getaway.
October
One of my best friends from home visited South Carolina for the first time. I spent Fall break exploring Nashville. I went to a semi-formal, continued to tailgate, and even went home for a weekend to surprise my dad! And of course celebrated Halloween as a biker and a fortune teller.
November
My abroad friends visited USC and we took a trip to Charleston and tailgated! My friends and I did Friendsgiving. Then I flew home for a week to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family and reunite with friends. We even went out for Thanksgiving Eve, where I was reunited with my entire high school. Yikes.
December
I finished up the semester on the Dean's List, continued to search for jobs and network, and then came home again for winter break. I celebrated Hanukkah and Christmas and did Secret Santa with my friends for the 6th year in a row.
Tonight, I will ring in the New Year with my best childhood friends while drinking a glass of champagne. I can't wait to see what 2020 has in store for me. But, I must say, 2019 will be hard to beat.
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