Y2K to Today: 2001-2002

In continuing the Y2K to Today challenge set forth by my friend, Uneventfully Wonderful, I'm going to try to remember the years 2001-2002. I'm not going to do every post like this, but a lot happened those two years so I'm just going to give a list of the big points--the good, the bad, the ugly, and the praiseworthy.

• I was in love with the Backstreet Boys and *NSync and had their posters covering my wall
• Learned to drive the spring of 2001
• Counseled middler camp in the summer of 2001 with my dear friend, Sarah and had a blast!
• Started my Junior year in high school and started Advanced Placement Classes
• Hated high school and all that went with it: obnoxious teenagers, noise, crowded hallways, obnoxious teenagers, misunderstanding teachers, bad attitudes, mean kids, obnoxious teenagers
• I woke up the morning of September 11, 2001 to radio show hosts talking about planes hitting the World Trade Center in New York. I thought it was a prank because they had done pranks about seeing UFOs and other such things before. I turned on the news just in time to see the first tower fall. I knew the US was under attack but what that meant, I was very unsure of. Everyone was so somber at school that day and teachers left the television on in every class so we could watch what was happening. Some teachers continued on as if it was a normal day but gave us the option of watching the news. My father and I kept the TV on CNN all day every day for almost a week. I remember putting up a sign in our window that said, "God Bless the USA." It was a very sad time in my life and in the history of the US but it was amazing to see everyone come together to grieve as one and to experience the bond we all had as fellow citizens of a strong nation.
• Came down with mono and missed 3 weeks of school
• Started doing very poorly in school
• Daydreamed about being in college, getting married, and having a brood of children
• My aunt had bone cancer and was given 6 months to live
• Spent four weeks total at camp, three counseling and one as a camper
• Was in the oldest girl cabin at camp and had dance parties, nail painting parties, and star gazing parties
• Brother baptized at camp
• Grandfather had open heart surgery and never went home from the hospital--he died 3 weeks later
• Still hated school and continued to do poorly
• Got my braces off
• God provided a miracle in my family and cured my aunt of her cancer--without treatment! Praise the Lord!

The biggest event happened at the end of 2002, one that has shaped me into who I am and I know that I would not be the same person I am today if it were not for it happening. My mom left to be a truck driver. I will explain more in future posts, since the main part of the story happens in 2003.

It seems that a lot of what went down those two years was negative, but again, I would not be the person I am today if it weren't for those struggles. "'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'" Jeremiah 29:11