i started my year in toledo, with friends i met years ago online. we had a lovely little new year’s celebration—well, as lovely as three teenagers can make it. we shared gross white wine in plastic cups and a fat apple fritter flavored joint. a quarter after midnight, we walked outside to smoke in the snow. it was absolutely freezing outside, but i am glad i was able to spend the occasion with my buddies. we warmed up by the stove and went to waffle house the next morning. there are no waffle houses in michigan! i learned how to use soulseek, and titanic rising by weyes blood became my new soundtrack. 
my escape didn’t last long, unfortunately. soon enough i drove the 55 miles back home, and returned to school. my medical classmates continued to bother me. i finished off the semester with decent grades, but every day became more of a drag. as of right now, it hasn’t been above freezing since before the new year. i was in constant stress about my upcoming university decision, and the government killings a few states over certainly didn’t help. i went to a protest downtown, but i still feel helpless and angry. i finally broke ties with the kid who sat at my lunch table after he started defending zionism. i’ve been keeping my self-harm at bay ever since the last incident over the summer, and it’s getting exhausting.
well, i remain grateful. with all the bad this month, i have had my share of good, as well. i started anatomy and physiology at my local community college. i enjoy it a lot! the lectures are a bit long for my tastes, but i’m finally being challenged. with the class comes a free membership to the campus gym, so i’ve been exercising, which has improved my physical and mental health already. and, i was accepted into the university of michigan with a full-tuition scholarship! gone is my stress about college decisions, at last. i bought a 2tb spinner and started archiving my favorite movies. i bought a knockoff ipod and rockboxed it. i fixated on windows xp for a few hours—and themed my laptop around it. my best friend’s aunt opened a fancy cafe, and i was invited to the grand opening. i’m getting more comfortable with my face, or at least i’ll keep telling myself that until it’s true. i am excited for the days to get longer, and for the heat to return.
