Rang in the New Year in sunny Melbourne with some of my favorite people. Came back to New York to become a slave to finals and writing my grueling thesis. In the midst of my hectic last semester, I interned for Bidoun Magazine and learned a lot of awesome things, met a lot of awesome people who reminded me of me. Documented the “end” of Mubarak’s regime with the Egyptian community in Astoria, Queens. Celebrated Mubarak stepping down at our spontaneous office party. After numerous nights of working my ass off, hallucinating from a lack of sleep, break downs, and contemplating joining the list of suicides in Bobst Library, I finished my thesis. Became an official college graduate, and surprisingly attended my graduation ceremony. Celebrated with a lot of sleep and booze. Finished my time as a student of structured academics and became a student of life. Was a part of putting together The New Museum’s Spring Gala and had my photographs projecting in a room with very fancy, important people. Took A LOT of spontaneous road trips with my friends, had some of the most memorable adventures of my life thus far. I was mentioned in Forbes Online. The only time I left the country this year was to explore a tropical paradise with a beautiful friend. Thanks to her, I learned how to dive for the first time. There, I discovered a world I had only seen in my dreams, and fell in love with Earth all over again. Came back to NYC and things got weird. I meditated a lot. The news made me depressed and had me yearning to be in Yemen. Looked endlessly for a job and found the job of my dreams. Made a lot of photographs, videos, money, and plans for future projects. Spent a lot of quality time with my family, my backbone. I think I went to Miami like 12 times? My photographs began appearing more in tangible forms, like billboards, magazines, and exhibitions. Started writing. Hated it, still hate it. Learned how to have a day job and still have time to do my own work. Photographed beautiful people, made a lot of art that I’m very proud of. Said goodbye to one of my best friends. My hatred for my writing inspired a project that will take up a great deal of my time in 2012, and beyond. Got excited, got others excited. I danced a lot this year. And when I say a lot, I mean, A LOT. Learned how to stop giving a shit about what others thought. Learned to stay far away from negative personalities and obsessive flattery. Learned how to say no. Learned that in order to get, I must give. Last but not least, I learned how to find love in all the right places.

All in all, this year was full of immense learning and self-realization. New experiences, new friends, and new ideas.

And with all of that, I’m really fucking excited for 2012.