Happy New Year!

Happy New Year’s Eve!!

It’s the last day of 2013, the time to write all of your new year’s resolutions, reflect on the moments of the past year and ponder on what the new year will bring.

Gag.

But really, while all these posts and instagram photos are making me a little nauseous you all can’t help but take a walk down memory lane and remember the past year and events. Even me.

Oh 2013...

I was a senior at UC Davis and had the best 4 years of my life come to an end. 

I became the best of friends with old acquaintances.

I chose to pursue a career in Recreation.

I got in a hella gnarly bike crash.

I got a concussion.

I gave that bike away.

I partied.

I went to Las Vegas.

I got the SIU ga job.

I visited SIU.

I chose SIU.

I spent a weekend on a dirty house boat. I loved it.

I graduated from UC Davis.

I went to Paris.

I went to Disneyland

I met Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

I made new friends.

I had life talks with strangers.

I made plans.

I didn’t follow those plans.

I reconnected one last time before my closest friends went to all corners of this world.

I went to Giant’s baseball games.

I went to Seattle to see my best friend.

I ate lots of frozen yogurt, aka fro-yo.

I danced.

I rocked out at concerts.

I laughed. A lot.

I moved 2,150 miles away.

I had the best road trip ever with my dad.

I started 17th grade.

I cried. A lot.

I said good bye to my amazing life in California.

I made new friends in Illinois.

I became a Saluki.

I went to Notre Dame and Ohio State.

I thought about moving back. More than once.

I faltered.

I made mistakes.

I moved again.

I trusted too much.

I played.

I got played.

I won.

I lost.

I loved.

I had a broken heart.

I compromised. 

I survived.

I learned.

And I did a million other things in between.

2013 was a montage of ups, downs, twists, and turns, and lots of change. 

And through it all I can’t help but smile at everything 2013 brought me. A thing that I have always carried with me no matter what obstacles, or adversity life throws me is that one saying the old man in the fedora in a small cafe told me…  it’s all just the weight of living. It’s never the same weight but I’ll always make it. I’ll find a way, I’ll be ok. 

"Never stop learning, Shorty.” Dad has always said this to me. No matter where or how far life takes us, we can always learn more, do better.

I sit here now watching the fireworks over the hills of Southern California, the valley of Los Angeles and think “Man. 2013. That was one for the books.”

But they all are. Every year in it’s own right is one to learn from, remember the good and the bad and to always learn and to be better.

So thanks 2013. You were one hell of a ride. And with that I say, Ok, 2014…

Bring it. 

To be continued.