Dear 2012,

You passed so quickly it seems like only yesterday I was writing a letter to that bastard, 2011. But this letter isn’t about 2011. It’s about you, 2012.

It’s 3:45AM and I’m staying up late because I don’t want to let you go. Because you were a great year! I had so much fun!

Thank you for all the memories and adventures! Thank you for all the kind, outgoing, compassionate, patient, forgiving, loving, hilarious people you shared with me. Thank you for all the lessons you’ve taught me and all the things you’ve helped me learn about life, people, culture, me. Thank you for having a great sense of humor. Thank you for helping me feel and experience the Holy Wow in new and exciting ways.

Just look at all these fun things we did!

Amazing set of music by The Kopecky Family Band.

Route from MPLS to WDC for Thumbs Up in the Capital Fringe Festival.

“Thumbs Up” appeared at the Minnesota Fringe Festival in Minneapolis, MN,

Visiting the Chapel on tour.

Students after a performance at Harmony Theatre Company and School in St. Louis Park, MN, USA.

Amy sent me a turkey, from America, to Zibo, Shandong, China! Amazing!

On tour with NTC’s “The Energized Guyz” in North Carolina, USA.

Visiting the Thinking Man overlooking Lake of the Isles, Minneapolis, MN, USA.

The Korean War Memorial in Washington, DC.

Broke my hand acting. Minneapolis, MN, USA.

Packing for China. Minneapolis, USA.

ER visit following Powderhorn 24 Bike Race. Minneapolis, MN, USA.

“Thumbs Up” in performance at the Capital Fringe Festival in Washington, DC.

Interior of rental car en route to Washington, DC, for Capital Fringe Festival.

Finally earned my nursing degree!

ER visit following Powderhorn 24 Bike Race. Minneapolis, MN, USA.

First graders perform at the Zibo Century Talents Foreign Languages School annual Christmas program. Zibo, Shandong, China.

Visiting my favorite stylist, Ashley, at Moxie. Minneapolis, MN, USA.

My friends the Koegler family in Minneapolis, MN, USA.

My BFF at the Capital Fringe, Washington, DC.

Teaching an improvisation workshop with Harmony Theatre Company and School in St. Louis Park, MN, USA.

My 60’s prom date, Linea at Lyle’s in Minneapolis, MN, USA.

A view of my apartment building in Zibo, Shandong, China.

Tony Milder and me after the last performance of the tour of NTC’s “The Energized Guyz.” North Carolina, USA.

Lincoln Monument selfie while on tour with Thumbs Up. Washington, DC.

Middle school English teachers in Zibo, Shandong, China.

Curtain call for “Happy Birthday” at Zibo Century Talents Foreign Language School in Zibo, Shandong, China.

Grandpa and Grandma Venske. Watertown, MN, USA.

These drums belong to W.S. Holland, Johnny Cash’s longtime drummer. I carried them. I talked with Mr. Holland about Jackson, TN. Made my day meeting this legend! Minneapolis, MN, USA.

Flying from North Carolina to Minneapolis to host the Securian All Company Meeting with Gumby and Pokey.

Anthony Logan Cole and Michael promoting “Thumbs Up” at the Capital Fringe Festival. Photo & write up in the Washington Post the following day!

My play “Something Something Juliet” won Most Creative, Best Acting, and Overall Best Performance at a drama competition in Zibo, Shandong, China.

Running errands with Alex. Minneapolis, MN, USA.

Bruises from Powderhorn 24 Bike Race accident. Minneapolis, MN, USA.

A scene from the Chicago Avenue Project, Pillsbury House Theatre, Minneapolis, MN.

Jucy Lucy’s at Matt’s with Dan. Minneapolis, MN, USA.

On tour with NTC’s “The Energized Guyz” in North Carolina, USA.

Meeting kindergarteners in Zibo, Shandong, China.

Cast and creatives of the Chicago Avenue Project, Pillsbury House Theatre, Minneapolis, MN.

Powderhorn 24 Bike Race crews. Minneapolis, MN, USA.

Biking in Minneapolis, MN, USA.

Closing another show with Harmony Theatre. St. Louis Park, MN, USA. 2012.

Honored! Roseville, MN, USA.

Two hitchhikers I picked-up somewhere in Wisconsin on my return from the Capital Fringe Festival.

Meeting up with another NTC tour company, Andy and Rebecca, in Winston-Salem, NC.

On tour with the National Theatre for Children, 2012.

Middle School English teachers. Zibo, Shandong, China.

Day one at Zibo Century Talents Foreign Language School, Zibo, Shandong, China.

It’s Ellen Anderson’s birthday! Minneapolis, MN, USA.

Teaching seventh graders outside in Zibo, Shandong, China.

Rebecca Blackmore. Life doesn’t get much better. Minneapolis, MN, USA.

First friend in Zibo, Shandong, China.

My favorite server, Mary, at my favorite restaurant, Mickey’s Dining Car, St. Paul, MN, USA.

A view of the Martin Luther King and Washington Monument.

Alex, Maggie, and Kellend. Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil. Zibo, Shandong, China.

Hammerschlagen with Micah Thor! Minneapolis, MN, USA.

Vacationing in Boshan, Shandong, China, during National Week.

My dad the moment before we said goodbye for my NTC tour. Minnetonka, MN, USA.

A new friend in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA.

Exploring new places in St. Paul, Minnesota. 2012.

Shooting video for Securian All-Company Meeting. St. Paul, MN, USA.

Spent the afternoon at Adventureland! Duluth, MN, 2012.

Mickey’s with Amy and the girls. St. Paul, MN, USA.

Table work with five-year-olds for my play “Happy Birthday” in Zibo, Shandong, China.

On tour with NTC’s “The Energized Guyz” in North Carolina, USA.

“Thumbs Up” premieres at the Capital Fringe Festival in Washington, DC.

A stop through Chicago after the NTC tour. Crazy people on St. Patty’s Day!

Live hosting gig for Securian All Company Meeting. St. Paul, MN, USA.

My scooter became the official “Thumbs Up” tour vehicle in Minneapolis for the Minnesota Fringe Festival.

The Korean War Memorial in Washington, DC.

Notes with the cast of Young Actors Theater Company in Eagan, MN, USA.

Mao. Zibo, Shandong, China.

Future love of my life. Common Roots Cafe, Minneapolis, MN, USA.

“Something Something Juliet” in performance in Zibo, Shandong, China.

My best friend, Ken. Minneapolis, MN, USA.

The best day with Rebecca!

Vacationing in the mountains outside Boshan, Shandong, China, during National Week.

Filming the North Suburban Beat with Ellen Anderson. Roseville, MN, USA.

On tour with NTC’s “The Energized Guyz” in North Carolina, USA.

Celebrating Jesse Narr’s wedding with my brother. MN, USA.

First in-person Mike Daisey experience in Washington, DC!

So excited to see Mike Daisey’s show! Washington, DC.

WHAT A GREAT FUCKING YEAR!

If I can ask you for one more favor…

Will you please tell 2013 not to suck?

Okay, 2013. Let’s do it.