In January, I felt like this was going to be the longest year of my life…I was correct. While this year has felt like the longest of my life, it also feels like it flew by. 2020 has had SO much happen (Remember the panic over killer bees? That was this year!), and it is one that everyone will not soon forget. This year did not go how I wanted it to, and I know everyone else is feeling that same feeling. While it was a blur and mainly spent quarantined, I did find a lot to love. My top three highlights were:
- Folklore by Taylor Swift came out!
When Taylor Swift dropped Folklore out of the blue on July 24th, I did not know what to do with myself. I spent the whole day (and the next three months) listening to the album. She created an album so beautiful that sitting in a dark room with candles was the only way to listen to it. Folklore was the album that we did not know we needed, and I do not know how we ever lived without the genius songs that are “exile” or “epiphany.”
- I became an intern for the Council!
I became an intern for the IU Arts & Humanities Council in August, and I have loved every minute of it. I have learned so much about the arts, and what the council can do in such a short time. I was (still am) a huge fan of First Thursdays, and all I wanted to do was work in that atmosphere and just give the arts the attention they deserve. Now I get to!
- Live shows—but socially distant
Tiny Dorms Concerts is the genius idea created by a group of IU students (Intern Natalie Almanza is one of the creators!), and I have been involved in the club since last year. This year, concerts look very different. They tend to be either online or not happening at all. I miss being able to go to concerts and hearing my favorite artists live. Tiny Dorm Concerts was able to put together a few mini live shows this year, and it was a great experience. In October, Tiny Dorm Concerts partnered with IU Auditorium and put on a mini live show (safely and socially distant!) with Secret Mezzanine and Macrohard Onfire (local Bloomington bands). It was such a fun show and being able to dance in Dunn Meadow listening to live music with your friends is the way to go.
This year had its ups and downs, and the pressing issues we all face with the pandemic are still happening (Wear your mask!), but there are so many small things that we can all do to make our time a little bit better. I found new artists and music that I loved. I facetimed my friends when I could not see them. I expressed myself creatively and found that doing anything arts-related is a great stress reliever. There is a lot that 2020 has taught me and brought to me. While I am ready for this year to be over, it did have its moments.
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