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OPINION

It is hard to believe that Christmas 2017 is over, and before we know it 2018 (the year of the dog) will be nipping at our heels!

It’s always fun to look back on the outgoing year and remember what notable events took place, what was popular, and what was downright strange.

Looking forward, it is exciting to imagine what 2018 will bring and what plans will be made with the anticipation of a new year — another chance to make it the best one yet.

What will I remember about 2017 and what do we have to look forward to in 2018?

There were a few misses this year.

Near the beginning of 2017, the Academy Awards made headlines when Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty announced La La Land as the winner of Best picture. Shortly thereafter Moonlight was the ‘new’ winner. (I’m still not sure how that happened.)

If you were anywhere near a Starbucks in 2017, you’ll remember the suddenly popular Unicorn Frappuccino — a blue, pink and purple explosion of sugar. I jumped on the bandwagon and tried to colourful concoction. I had to throw out the last half due to the tongue twisting flavours, but it looked really fun!

This year was also the year to NOT consider getting an eyeball tattoo. Catt Gallinger showed the world the aftermath of her botched tattoo, done by her then boyfriend…OUCH!

There were several tragedies this year.

A large portion of B.C. was literally on fire. It was hard to enjoy the summer knowing there were families being displaced from their homes, professionals working to protect those families were putting their lives in danger and anyone in the area experienced an uncertain summer.

Violence was all-too-prominent in 2017. The Las Vegas and the Sutherland Springs (Texas) shootings are only two of many catastrophes. They left the world wondering how someone could committee such acts of violence.

Natural disasters such as Hurricane Harvey claimed too many lives and left a heap of destruction in its wake.

There were also things to look forward to this year. Anyone with special glasses could partake in the total solar eclipse in August, Game of Thrones was back in action with season 7 (it was amazing), and cat videos were still a hit.

The #Metoo movement took off and gained momentum this year, bringing forth women who had been the victims of sexual harassment and assault. It began from the allegations against film producer and executive Harvey Weinstein, but has grown into something so much bigger.

On the political front EVERYONE had something to say about U.S. politics this year, and in Canada, the NDP and Green parties formed a minority government deal. To me, this was a year I saw more and more young people getting interested and involved in politics in general.

A LOT has happened this year, and I don’t have the word count to mention everything.

I am looking forward to 2018. I want to accomplish many things in the new year, and I want to hopefully hear more good news and less tragic news.

I can hope for a world where there are no children being killed by their parents, no natural disasters on a path of destruction and no shooters playing God with people’s lives.

I’m ready for some sunshine and rainbows.

— Becky Mann is a 30-something, red haired, mother of two, trying to navigate this life as best she can. She enjoys talking to people and discovering their stories. Still trying to balance her personal and professional life, she juggles work and play. In her spare time Becky can be found visiting with friends, spending time with her family and saving time by reading while walking. She knows there is so much more to come and is looking forward to the continued adventure.

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News from © iNFOnews, 2017