I will look back...

I must say the last six plus months and the last two years have been such a unique experience for me.  Years from now, I know I will look back keenly and fondly on experiences I've had in the last two years.

(in no particular order)

I have:

• learned the cost of generosity; it is always worth it 
• seen my love grow for my grandparents, Jay, Odessa, June, and George
• listened to and love Gnarls Barkley, Muse, Radiohead, James Blunt, Justin Timberlake, Kanye West, and Mika
• rediscovered my friendship with my father
• redefined my priorities a number of times - I continue to learn what's really important
• lost my gentle, loving, magic-performing grandfather, George
• made many many friends
• put 40k miles on my car in one year and five months
• fought off the girls with a stick "Why do girls have to like me?" Mom got a kick out of this highschool statement
• likewise been fought off by a stick!
• seen "The Office" rise and decline in humor and appeal
• had some great times and laughs with Nathan, Megan, Andres, Graham, Erika, Lori, John, and David 
• wish I had more time for the piano and vocal instruction
• believe that walls can be taken down in as simple a manner as Jericho - faith
• had the opportunity to teach elders quorum a number of times
• been stopped by police or highway patrol 6 times resulting in 4 tickets
• own a Dwight Schrute bobblehead
• travelled with Jochen, Marianne and Henni in Europe and saw them again a year later 
• missed my out-of-state brother Cardin and sister Brynn
• thoroughly enjoyed my golf outings with Jordan, Jared, Darin, and Tyler
• been to California twice - my second home state
• thought of my good friends - the Skoczylis family - often
• love all that I get for only 10%
• learned how to dance in public and private with little reservation 
• made a handful of over-nighters to Crystal Hot Springs
• not spent enough time outside besides soccer games
• learned the positive and negative impacts of music
• learned balance in many things
• "Why, because we're both handsome?" 
• all the fun and clever times with Jordan B., Brian, JD, Dustin, Jordan Y., Scott, and gang and wives.  "We are kind of a big deal." 
• love the wisdom I will always receive from my father
• spent my 2008 summer at Lagoon with my friends
• received a German National jersey signed by the national team from my work manager
• been able to spend time with Andy, Tiger and the girls twice in the last three years.
• been stressed to the max like never before for 12 months over last year in college
• reacquainted myself ever so fondly with Nirvana MTV unplugged
• gave up dating my last semester of college
• knocked doors for window washing customers
• fought, yelled, and cried with others and alone
• discovered Snow Basin
• dreamed of Germany for 3 1/2 years
• sang one botched, but still pretty, solo in church (it was bad, hilarious, and pretty all at the same time!)
• rediscovered oldie Erasure, Depeche Mode, Billy Joel, They Might Be Giants, Live, and U2
• come to understand my Heavenly Father a little better very slowly
• increased my gratitude and understanding of my brother and savior, Jesus Christ
• spent too much money at Bajios
  
• finally recognized that I love the emerging spring as much as I have always loved the fall
• lost my breath at the sight of Switzerland's beauty
• gained 6 new nephews and nieces; B. E. M. N. M. B. (Maci included)
  
• said goodbye to my mother for a short time and gained a stronger family
• seen my fascination for economics continue to grow
• grown closer to many elders as I served more than 2 years in the elders quorums
• randomly asked out 6 girls that have caught my eye (and have 2 more in the works)
• graduated in Bus. Economics and learned so much.  I made great friends with Dr. Nowell
• grown closer to all my siblings
• have always wanted to get an MBA
• was able to help Dave and Mandolin renovate their new home - we had a blast
• discovered Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin.
• become great friends with my cousins at 374
• miraculously walked away from a completely horrific car accident in which my car was totaled.  I thank Him and His angels for that. 
• purchased my dream car - 2003 Acura 3.2 TL.  It's a beautiful romance really
• paid for my own schooling (and still am)
• gave a killer senior thesis presentation and will be published
• been blessed with two new families - 374 and 1510
• 4 new fantastic mothers - Mandolin, Kristen, Tammy and Nadine
• bought a MacBook Pro. Money does bring happiness.  Money buys the mac, mac brings happiness
• found my voice
• always loved to learn a new word - gregarious, scintillating, docile, quixotic, etc.
• thrived on hosting holiday and "The Office" friend parties
• set course for a brilliant career in investing
• learned better who I am
• discovered some fabulous music and great movies
• was forced to leave my beloved soccer field after only 15 minutes due to my wretched mono and for the following 6 months.  It was perhaps one of my saddest moments ever
• was infected with mono and West Nile virus - quite a nasty combination - nerve pain + exhaustion
• served
• run
• confronted
• loved
• played soccer and ran in the pouring rain and mud
• felt the child in me again as I saw the bright orange-yellow side dump trucks while driving to work 
• learned teasing my nephews, Harris and Brigden, has its limits. I treat them much more kindly now.  My nephews and nieces are some of my best friends
• made great friends with Kevin and Shannon and love them
• switched rooms multiple times at 1403 Cville while renovating
• broke in my bedroom door
• shoveled many walks - I love doing the walks
• become great friends with Dodger
• left my car running while I went into work
• consider myself a swimmer although I haven't swam in a year
• learned some amazing principles impressively unfolded by C.S. Lewis
• read Thomas Mann's Tonio Kröger a number of times
• am no longer ashamed of liking, no, loving children's movies
• learned that only so much is in our control
• cherish my mother's example in all things (except the whole "rotten day" mumbo jumbo)

"God grant me the serenity to 

  accept the things I cannot change;

  courage to change the things I can;

  and wisdom to know the difference."

I am a product of my choices and all that surrounds me.