2021 has been an interesting year. It started out pretty strong for me, but the second half of the year was so hectic and I worked so incredibly much, probably the most dedicated I’ve ever been to any job I’ve had.
Fulfilled lifelong dreams of going to not one, but THREE rocket launches!
My first rocket launch in June, SpaceX CRS-22, was incredible because I was actually on-site at Kennedy Space Center and got an up close view of the rocket! My second was the NASA IXPE mission, a space telescope with a goal to study X-ray polarization of cosmic sources like black holes, and it was an impromptu trip down to Cape Canaveral and I watched the launch from Cocoa Beach, another lifelong dream. It was a nighttime launch so watching the rocket until it was a little speck in the sky was amazing. My final launch of the year was the week of Christmas, CRS-24. We honestly didn’t know if this launch was going to happen because the weather in Florida was horrible that week, but it happened! And it was so exciting because my company had not one, not two but FOUR payloads (science experiments) launching to space station – a new material manufacturing facility and three plant biology investigations. Cheers to even more in 2022!
I went to the New York Stock Exchange!
My company went public on the New York Stock Exchange this year and they invited me to go with them to take photos, videos and work our social medias (aka., do my job in NYC)! I was so thankful and feel so privileged to have been invited and experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Universal Studios feels like a second home.
So this one might be a little weird, but early this year I got an annual pass to Universal Studios Orlando + Islands of Adventure! I realize that some might “hate” me for this with COVID and everything, but I’ve felt comfortable going and have done my best to remain healthy and protect those around me. I’ve gone nearly every month this year, alone every time save twice, and it’s allowed me to become even more comfortable with being alone and entertaining myself, even in a place where people are rarely alone.
Traveling!
Speaking of getting comfortable being alone, I was able to travel quite a bit this year. I visited family and traveled to Washington, Idaho and Arizona; went on work trips to Colorado and New York City; explored more of my new area in northern Florida and southern Georgia! I hit basically all four corners of the United States, which I am very lucky to experience. Maybe next year I’ll get to add international travel to my end-of-year roundup!
My family remains safe and healthy.
Another year living with COVID-19 and its various variants as come and gone, and I’m so thankful that my family has remained safe and healthy during this time. I’ve been able to see each of my family members a few times this year despite living 3,000 miles away on the opposite coast, and I am so lucky that we all remain healthy and safe. I’m not a religious person, but I feel truly blessed.
I hope that you had a wonderful 2021 and if not, then another year is around the corner and a new opportunity to have the best year of your life. Have a wonderful holiday ❤
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Thank you for reading! How was your 2021? Let me know in the comments below and like this post if you want more like it!
Xoxo’s
Emmalee
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Emmalee Mauldin 