Bart's bday video!

Finally posted - My dad's 60th Birthday Video
grrr. i had this posted, but they didn't like my format. I will try again!

Lessons Learned

2006 was a big year. When I look back on the turmoil that I called my life this time last year and all the ups and downs over the year I think 24 was the biggest learning year of my life. You learn a lot in school, more in high school and even more in college. But I don't believe you truly learn who you are until you are faced with challenges and know, deep in your heart, that you are the only one who can make the desicion, because the desicion is 100% yours. Not your parents. Not your sister's, not your friends, but yours. And while there are many things I have learned this year, the one thing that keeps coming to my mind is the fact at the end of the day we all have to make the desicion that is right for us. Whether it is in relationship to family, loved ones, friends, work, careers, passions, any or all the above we are responsibile for our own happiness. It is when we rely on others for our happiness that things begin to fall apart. Trust me on this, as I know first had. I've spent a good portion of my life letting my happiness be wrapped up in others, which only lead to dissappointment.

But now, life is different. Not better or worse, just different. Maybe a little bit better. Because I am on my way to finding happiness, first and foremost with myself. And once I started doing that, it continues to amaze me how much better off things can be. I have found a person who I care about that wants to be with me because of the person I am, not someone I am trying to be. Things that used to bother me no longer do. Things that used to scare me, like being alone, are actually sources of happiness for me now and give me time to do what I enjoy doing.

No longer will my life be dictated by other peoples' perceptions that I fear.

Why all this, do you ask? Maybe because I'll be 25 in a few short weeks. Maybe because 1 year ago my life was flipped upside down. That question I don't know. But what I do know, is I have learned a lot and I am looking forward to my new future with my new happiness.

"That you never saw the signs
That you never lost your grip
Oh, come on now
That's such a childish claim
Now I wear the brand of traitor
Don't it seem a bit absurd
When it's clear I was so obviously framed

Now you act so surprised
To hear what you already know
And all you really had to do was ask
I'd have told you straight away
All those lies were truth
And all that was false was fact"
- Lessons Learned

Tis the season!

No no no, I am not talking about the Holiday season, though I'm pretty stoked for that as well. What I am really talking about is Tis the SKI season... The day I have been praying for all summer long is finally arriving. Before I know it I will be in pure white heaven, aka, snow storms and powder days. For me, powder days are like waking up as a little kid on Christmas. I have a hard time sleeping the night before and am up at the crack of dawn, the first one out the door... And while yes a coffee stop or two is necessary, pulling into the Alpental parking lot is really only something those of you who have done it with me can relate to. It's by far the most amazing feeling in the world, when you know they are still doing bombin for avies... Every loud thunderous boom makes you realize just how big the pow is up there.

Then there is waiting in the chiar2 line.

Wow. I'm stoked.

Whistler next week with Bill and his crew and possibly the Hamlin boys. I got a good feeling about this season. Martin's got an Alpy pass, gina moves here end of January, I'm gonna learn to ride the park and will complete my number one goal for the season. At least at 20 foot cliff jump...

New boots for xmas and new skis in January.

Oh yea, it's the pray for snow party on Wednesday night... Who remembers last year's pray for snow... I'm sure MKT could shed some light on that one.

adious. more blogging. i promise!