Sorry for the late post. I'm really not starting this new year right. It was exactly a year ago that I began blogging weekly. Before that, it was random and often not even monthly, as many of you will recall. I aim to keep it weekly, still updating on Sundays as per usual. I hope that you all continue to enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it. My life is very different than where it was a year ago. A lot happened in 2011. But more on that later.
First a quick recap of my trip home. I had a great time seeing everybody. The last week I spent cramming in as many meetings as possible. I spent time with my family, of course. My siblings even drove me to the University, where I was coordinating rides for flights, just to spend a bit more time with me, which was very very nice of them. I truly enjoyed all our sibling bonding moments. I also ended the previous night with homemade enchiladas, complete with tequila shots with my entire family, including grandparents and Tia Favorita. It's the little things that bring you closer. Drew York and I even pulled out the old army men like we used to and played in the living room. It was fun and still full of fights and amusement by the parentals. I'll definitely miss my folks too. I had some good bonding time with them on Christmas, but not enough overall. Guess I'll have to visit more :)
I also went to a sorta high school reunion. Since of the people that read this blog, only Spam Boa, Mama Goldfish, and Bridges actually know anyone that was at the party, and since I filled Spam in and the other two were there, I won't go into much detail. It was really awesome to see people I hadn't seen in 5 or 6 years as well as friends I'd fallen out of touch with. We had wine and sweet and Christmas snacks, all hosted by the lovely Ms. Peacelove (who now that I think of it might also read this). Even though I had the same conversation like 15 times (its not easy explaining what "Higher Education and Student Affairs" is) it was great to jump from convo to convo hearing about peoples lives and just getting to know old friends again. This was the group of 30 (yes 30) friends who exchanged CDs with each other so we'd always remember our high school friendships. We were pretty close. Life had taken us apart a bit but it wasn't too hard or too awkward to catch up. Not like actual high school reunions (I skipped my 5th). We decided this needed to be an annual thing- no pressure Ms. Peacelove
Besides a nice lunch with Jabbertalky, a few Clueless hours with Naysayer P Squirrel and Suite Buddy who was in town, and a lovely dinner with Qua Yams (yay real Asian food!) I was on to Ohio. I miss the warm weather (people went to the beach yesterday!) which I have replaced with my first real snowfall this winter (the ground is white but not snowman worthy yet). And I miss everyone I left. My one real regret this break was missing the change to see Pokeboss, Captain Peanut, Red Button and the crew. I did briefly spy King Wrangler and Fall Girl at Disneyland, which was nice, but Pokeboss and I tried to meet but not really hard and yea. Sad time. Guess we'll need a Google Hangout. That goes for you too Mama G! It will happen.
Whew there's still a lot to cover! New Years Eve was a Wizard Staff party at one of the older cohort members homes. A Wizard staff party means you drink a beer, complete a task, and then duct tape the next beer to the first. You continue doing this to build your staff and become more wizardly. Tasks include bequeathing a wizard name, fighting in a wizard's duel (staring contest), creating a wizard's hat (from newspaper), questing (premade endeavors like completing math problems) and drinking a potion (shotgunning) among other things. Each time your staff gets larger and you continue to drink from the top can. The winning wizard had something like 14 beers by the end of the time limit but the final staff actually had 19 (which towers over 6'5'' in height). Needless to say it was funny, drunken debauchery. I can't drink beer (hops) so I got to enjoy the show. Powder Climber, Tall Bear, Dandy Woo + Fiance, CC, and several others were also there for the festivities. It was a good way to ring in the new year, my earliest ever since I was 3 hours ahead. Naturally, my mom wishes me a happy new year and asked if I kissed anyone. Oh mother! It's perfectly OK that I didn't!
Last year I talked about how the music was very positive despite the tough year. This year the music has been very negative, along with another tough year. This year featured several deaths, many before their time, financial challenges for all, a completely disheartening and disfunctional governmental system, breakups, depressions, and leavetakings. It was a rather hard year! Well with music like Adele's Someone Like You, Bruno Mars' Grenade, and the currently popular Katy Perry's One that Got Away, there was definitely some anger and frustration in the music. There was also the fun party stuff like Last Friday Night (Katy Perry), Party Rock Anthem (LMFAO) and Moves like Jagger (Maroon 5). Both types of music kinda spoke to me throughout the recent move to Ohio. And the trend of live it up kind of songs reflect my theme for this year which is: Live in the Moment.
I've been feeling very Carpe Diem. A big part of this is all the travel that this last year has brought me. Ireland, England, Italy. Atlanta, Indiana, Minnesota and several back and forths with Ohio, CA, and Las Vegas too. Coming up in the summer will be China and I have several conferences ahead of me as well. In order for me to deal with the stresses of school and travel, being away from loved ones and being in new places with new people out of my comfort zones, I just take a deep breath and say, "Well I'm here, let's do it. No worries." It's not apathy, its acceptance and trust in my adaptability. By the end of this year, I want it to be confidence that God will take care of me. I don't have any doubts of that right now, but that doesn't mean I feel completely tight with God either. I want to have the faith the size of a mustard seed. The constant communication with God through prayer. And the real faith to say, OK God, this is hard but you know what I need so let's do it. That's my goal and my mindset for this year. It'll all work out I'm sure ;) Oh that and exercise. Twice a week. It'll happen. And cook more!
May 2012 be very kind to you, especially those of you who hated 2011. I know it was rough. I pray that each of perseveres, prospers and finds peace. Much love and blessings to you and your families. Happy New Year!
-JTY
Listening to: United States of Pop: World Go Boom- DJ Earworms 2011 mashup. When I showed this to Tenshi and a few friends back home, they liked it. People in Ohio, did not. Oh well, preferences, preferences. It's not his best but enjoyable and catchy by the end.
Reading: How Colleges Work. By Robert Birnbaum. Yup school started again.
Playing: Obsessively for the last day: The Old Republic. Really really enjoying it.
PS: As you may have noticed, there is a whole new look going on here. I'm going to continue tweaking. Let me know if you have trouble reading it or if its easier. I'm not sold on the background yet either. Feedback welcome :)
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