# @derek_blalock on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/BdYxmfWnM8y
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/12471217-derek-blalock-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/ac2ec548c4.jpg
- **Posted:** 2018-01-01T00:41:52.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Derek Blalock (@derek_blalock) — https://gondola.cc/derek_blalock

## Caption

I’d be a liar if I told you that 2017 turned out how I wanted. On January 1st, I thought it was only a matter of days before I’d have a full-time job. I thought South Carolina would be long gone in my rear-view mirror by year’s end. That didn’t happen. Hundreds of job applications. Countless “we found someone more qualified" emails. At least three jobs I thought I had in the pocket only to be disappointed. But luckily, I have been able to get some truly valuable experiences at H&R Block, while I finished my book, #TheHeartToRide. So today, I focus on the great times 2017 gave me. St. Paddy’s Day at MSU with the bestest of friends. Watching @desmondjonesband  play in Asheville. A great birthday weekend in #WashingtonDC. An even better weekend in #Nashville with some more great friends, despite being assaulted on the way to my hotel racking up an ER visit and $10,000 in medical bills. A great month and a half with my nephew, Braden. Being able to help my mom raise her two foster kids. SEVEN trips to Michigan, including a truly unforgettable #Broachella to celebrate Nick’s engagement. An even better wedding with the bestest of bestest friends to celebrate his and Sam’s marriage. THREE @MSUFootball games and wins. Finishing my first-ever #Ironman703 in Augusta, GA. Losing way more money in #LasVegas than I had hoped. Rocking the #GreenAndWhite inside #MichiganStadium for #TheGame between #UM and #OSU. I'm blessed to have these memories, and 2018 is going to be even better. I’m making sure of that.
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#nonfiction #writing #2018 #2017 #NewYear #Celebrate #RockinEve #Holidays #bikeacrossamerica #friends #travel #motivate #healthy #lifestyle #booknerd #bookworld #goodreads #believe #fitness

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 30
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 1

## Credits

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Derek Blalock | @derek_blalock | https://gondola.cc/derek_blalock | Content Producer |

## Tags

celebrate, um, ironman703, believe, motivate, writing, thehearttoride, lasvegas, travel, bookworld, 2017, nashville, 2018, thegame, rockineve, newyear, broachella, michiganstadium, osu, lifestyle, booknerd, washingtondc, nonfiction, greenandwhite, fitness, goodreads, healthy, bikeacrossamerica, holidays, friends

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