"Here's lookin' at you, kid"
2006 - A REVIEW
Greetings all.
I had this idea last night to do a little recap of 2006 (A lot of my relatives have been doing this in their Christmas cards, and I thought I'd kind of do my own version.)So...that's what I'm gonna do.
I'm aware that the year is not quite over yet, but I figure now is just as good a time to reflect as any.
In the words of Billie Burke from The Wizard of Oz: "It's always best to start at the beginning."
I started back at Campbell this year as a returning Freshman, for the Spring semester - which turned out to be significantly worse than the Fall.
The friendship between Ben and I slowly dissolved into a bitter acquaintance - and we finished up the the year as roommates, but hardly speaking.
A member of my extended family was involved in a horrible accident at the beginning of the year, which of course stunned and saddened me beyond belief. Fortunately, things have more than worked out for him - and over the past year, he has been able to pretty much retain a sense of normalcy in his life - which I know his family is thankful for.
Early this year, I also got drunk for the first time in my life - something that completely shocked anyone who knows me, and happened to find out about it.
The way this went about happening, I can now look back and say wasn't really all that smart.
But it happened. I guess that this would be the start of my "downward spiral" that I still currently seem to be on, according to some.
My limits were tested early this year - with patience, depression, friendship, and my epilepsy.
The doctors did a series of tests (around March) to see if I could handle being off of the medicine (I can't...and to this day am still on 2 types of AEDs).
I ended up meeting a new friend - someone who has become more than a friend, more like a soul-mate, I guess if you could call it that. We just seem to match. And it's been a nice change of pace getting to know her over this past year (especially through the Spring semester...when I was at my wit's end.)
The summer came and went, which brought, among other things, a new job.
I became a teacher at my church's Child Care Center, a position that had its moments of despair and trail at first, but despite that, I grew to enjoy it. (And from the way things are looking, will be continuing the job in Summer 2007).
The summer also brought the chance for me to be a part of the Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief efforts. It was an experience that I am proud to have been a part of. We helped 3 families whose homes were signifigantly damaged by Katrina, mostly by the floodwaters. I spent most of the week tiling ceramic floors for a lady named Ms. Lucille, and painting the inside of a newly constructed house for a lady named Ms. Tamara and her 3 sons.
All in all, that trip had a major impact on me, that is not to be forgotten anytime soon.
Later in July, I headed to Orlando, Florida for a vacation with my family.
We took my youngest brother to Disney World for the first time. I hadn't been since I was seven, and enjoyed it just as much. We went to Universal, and did a sleuth of other things as well.
It was a memorable vacation as I had a great time with all of my family - (a rare occurrence, these days, it seems.)
In mid-August, I said goodbye to my kids at the daycare, and began packing my things to move back to Buies Creek - this time to return as a Sophomore.
I was returning with no idea what to expect this time around. I guess you could say, in terms of the social aspect - my Sophomore year is turning out to be what my Freshman year should've been.
I was returning only knowing one person all that well - and that was Ashley, my friend from Spring semester.
Campbell's kind of a screwed up place when it comes to organization. So, thanks to that, I went through about 3-4 weeks of having different roommates on and off, people moving in and out. It was crazy.
Luckily, things worked out though.
About the 3rd week in September, I got my 2nd (and final) roommate for the semester. Not only a roommate though, but a best friend.
It took me about a week to really open up to Daniel.
And from this point on, I kind of lose track of time.
I wasn't worrying about time anymore - or about anything. I was just...living.
I just know that I gained so much from this point on.
It's mid-December now, and a lot's happened to me.
I've changed a great deal.
I don't take anything for its face value anymore.
I question things more often.
I have a little bit more of a liberal tendency.
I'm still the same person I always was...I consider my skin to be a little bit thicker now; a little bit wiser.
And today, this is where the end of the year finds me:
I've parted ways (physically) with my two best friends, I've gained an abundance of people who I'm proud to surround myself with, It's been exactly almost a year since Ashley and I became friends - and I have a feeling that we're going to be in each other's lives a while.
I need to get my act together academically, emotionally, and mentally (a New Year's resolution, if you will).
For making it what it was (and for what 2007 WILL be),
Thanks (more than you'll ever know) to: Ashley, Daniel, Marc, Christa, Julie, Maggie, Charlie, Megan, Alicia, Elisabeth, Caitlin, Gavin, Karen, James, Gary, Mike, Kyndall, Carrie, Elizabeth W.
Wanted to put this at the end, kind of seperate from everything else b/c it's off topic...but:
The end of the year also brings us to my cousin's band, Annuals, releasing their debut album, "Be He Me". This to me, is astonishing since I've sat back and watched this whole thing transpire over the course of the last few years.
Watching the band form, and gradually rise and earn their success is amazing.
So, the album was released nationally the 17th of October to all public markets (Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc.) It's also available for purchase on iTunes. The album has already seen amazing reviews from Rolling Stone and Billboard, among others.
It's a little weird to see a member of your family on the Rolling Stone website.
But, a good weird. I know this is turning into a shameless plug, haha - but it's family :)
So anyways, I'll wrap this up - tell all your friends, pass the word, BUY THE ALBUM!
Myself, my cousin, Nick, and Annuals would really appreciate, guys.
www.myspace.com/annuals
http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2006/10/05/advance-music-you-need-right-now-the-annuals/
http://billboard.blogs.com/jadedinsider/2006/10/annualslaughter.html
http://www.amazon.com/Be-He-Me-Annuals/dp/B000I0QKMY
Thanks guys.
Now...
WHAT I LEARNED IN 2006
Kids can teach you a lot about yourself, and about life. Sometimes the biggest worries of our day should be if our shoes are untied.
Shake things up every once in a while. Routines are boring.
Britney Spears' uterus is huge by now.
Smile like you mean it, and as often as possible - after all, you never know who has a camera.
Don't use Cranberry Juice for Hookah water.
When someone tells you "You've had too much," listen to them.
"Oy, it was such a shanda. I'll never gribenes from a Moil; It's so chewy!"
Everyone's not your friend. Even if you try to be theirs.
Oil Pans, Railroad tracks, and unleveled roads don't mix.
Padiddle!
There's just something about Olivia Newton-John...
Change is difficult, but necessary.
If you truly love somebody, nothing will keep you apart.
When intoxicated, 90's pop makes for great sing-a-longs.
Dogs can be used as hockey pucks, and beer cans as Christmas tree ornamentation.
1st Floor Dorm Rooms (and their windows) are a wonderful commodity.
Crystal's GRANDMOTHER died...(and Susan's husband has prostate (and Breast) cancer.)
Women can show up men when it comes to belching.
Mr. Belding can sing Billy Joel...and pretty well.
The sunscreen is, and will always be, next to the DESITIN
"...the what?"
One word: Hookah
One more word: iPod
Hangovers are bitches.
"It's just a jump to the left..."
Sometimes, simplicity is best.
It's important to always lend an ear, and a shoulder.
Johnston County D.O.T. should label the roads at Bentonville more accurately.
Next time, don't be so hard on Lorraine. She just wants to check out the merchandise.
ALWAYS make sure your lights are on at night...you never know where a cop is.
Goodbye's aren't easy.
It's OK if you "don't feel like dancin'" because chances are, you will anyway.
And finally...
Make the most of it. Because when it's gone, you'll want to have as many memories as possible.
Here's to 2007
Later guys,
Dalebert
Greetings all.
I had this idea last night to do a little recap of 2006 (A lot of my relatives have been doing this in their Christmas cards, and I thought I'd kind of do my own version.)So...that's what I'm gonna do.
I'm aware that the year is not quite over yet, but I figure now is just as good a time to reflect as any.
In the words of Billie Burke from The Wizard of Oz: "It's always best to start at the beginning."
I started back at Campbell this year as a returning Freshman, for the Spring semester - which turned out to be significantly worse than the Fall.
The friendship between Ben and I slowly dissolved into a bitter acquaintance - and we finished up the the year as roommates, but hardly speaking.
A member of my extended family was involved in a horrible accident at the beginning of the year, which of course stunned and saddened me beyond belief. Fortunately, things have more than worked out for him - and over the past year, he has been able to pretty much retain a sense of normalcy in his life - which I know his family is thankful for.
Early this year, I also got drunk for the first time in my life - something that completely shocked anyone who knows me, and happened to find out about it.
The way this went about happening, I can now look back and say wasn't really all that smart.
But it happened. I guess that this would be the start of my "downward spiral" that I still currently seem to be on, according to some.
My limits were tested early this year - with patience, depression, friendship, and my epilepsy.
The doctors did a series of tests (around March) to see if I could handle being off of the medicine (I can't...and to this day am still on 2 types of AEDs).
I ended up meeting a new friend - someone who has become more than a friend, more like a soul-mate, I guess if you could call it that. We just seem to match. And it's been a nice change of pace getting to know her over this past year (especially through the Spring semester...when I was at my wit's end.)
The summer came and went, which brought, among other things, a new job.
I became a teacher at my church's Child Care Center, a position that had its moments of despair and trail at first, but despite that, I grew to enjoy it. (And from the way things are looking, will be continuing the job in Summer 2007).
The summer also brought the chance for me to be a part of the Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief efforts. It was an experience that I am proud to have been a part of. We helped 3 families whose homes were signifigantly damaged by Katrina, mostly by the floodwaters. I spent most of the week tiling ceramic floors for a lady named Ms. Lucille, and painting the inside of a newly constructed house for a lady named Ms. Tamara and her 3 sons.
All in all, that trip had a major impact on me, that is not to be forgotten anytime soon.
Later in July, I headed to Orlando, Florida for a vacation with my family.
We took my youngest brother to Disney World for the first time. I hadn't been since I was seven, and enjoyed it just as much. We went to Universal, and did a sleuth of other things as well.
It was a memorable vacation as I had a great time with all of my family - (a rare occurrence, these days, it seems.)
In mid-August, I said goodbye to my kids at the daycare, and began packing my things to move back to Buies Creek - this time to return as a Sophomore.
I was returning with no idea what to expect this time around. I guess you could say, in terms of the social aspect - my Sophomore year is turning out to be what my Freshman year should've been.
I was returning only knowing one person all that well - and that was Ashley, my friend from Spring semester.
Campbell's kind of a screwed up place when it comes to organization. So, thanks to that, I went through about 3-4 weeks of having different roommates on and off, people moving in and out. It was crazy.
Luckily, things worked out though.
About the 3rd week in September, I got my 2nd (and final) roommate for the semester. Not only a roommate though, but a best friend.
It took me about a week to really open up to Daniel.
And from this point on, I kind of lose track of time.
I wasn't worrying about time anymore - or about anything. I was just...living.
I just know that I gained so much from this point on.
It's mid-December now, and a lot's happened to me.
I've changed a great deal.
I don't take anything for its face value anymore.
I question things more often.
I have a little bit more of a liberal tendency.
I'm still the same person I always was...I consider my skin to be a little bit thicker now; a little bit wiser.
And today, this is where the end of the year finds me:
I've parted ways (physically) with my two best friends, I've gained an abundance of people who I'm proud to surround myself with, It's been exactly almost a year since Ashley and I became friends - and I have a feeling that we're going to be in each other's lives a while.
I need to get my act together academically, emotionally, and mentally (a New Year's resolution, if you will).
For making it what it was (and for what 2007 WILL be),
Thanks (more than you'll ever know) to: Ashley, Daniel, Marc, Christa, Julie, Maggie, Charlie, Megan, Alicia, Elisabeth, Caitlin, Gavin, Karen, James, Gary, Mike, Kyndall, Carrie, Elizabeth W.
Wanted to put this at the end, kind of seperate from everything else b/c it's off topic...but:
The end of the year also brings us to my cousin's band, Annuals, releasing their debut album, "Be He Me". This to me, is astonishing since I've sat back and watched this whole thing transpire over the course of the last few years.
Watching the band form, and gradually rise and earn their success is amazing.
So, the album was released nationally the 17th of October to all public markets (Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc.) It's also available for purchase on iTunes. The album has already seen amazing reviews from Rolling Stone and Billboard, among others.
It's a little weird to see a member of your family on the Rolling Stone website.
But, a good weird. I know this is turning into a shameless plug, haha - but it's family :)
So anyways, I'll wrap this up - tell all your friends, pass the word, BUY THE ALBUM!
Myself, my cousin, Nick, and Annuals would really appreciate, guys.
www.myspace.com/annuals
http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2006/10/05/advance-music-you-need-right-now-the-annuals/
http://billboard.blogs.com/jadedinsider/2006/10/annualslaughter.html
http://www.amazon.com/Be-He-Me-Annuals/dp/B000I0QKMY
Thanks guys.
Now...
WHAT I LEARNED IN 2006
Kids can teach you a lot about yourself, and about life. Sometimes the biggest worries of our day should be if our shoes are untied.
Shake things up every once in a while. Routines are boring.
Britney Spears' uterus is huge by now.
Smile like you mean it, and as often as possible - after all, you never know who has a camera.
Don't use Cranberry Juice for Hookah water.
When someone tells you "You've had too much," listen to them.
"Oy, it was such a shanda. I'll never gribenes from a Moil; It's so chewy!"
Everyone's not your friend. Even if you try to be theirs.
Oil Pans, Railroad tracks, and unleveled roads don't mix.
Padiddle!
There's just something about Olivia Newton-John...
Change is difficult, but necessary.
If you truly love somebody, nothing will keep you apart.
When intoxicated, 90's pop makes for great sing-a-longs.
Dogs can be used as hockey pucks, and beer cans as Christmas tree ornamentation.
1st Floor Dorm Rooms (and their windows) are a wonderful commodity.
Crystal's GRANDMOTHER died...(and Susan's husband has prostate (and Breast) cancer.)
Women can show up men when it comes to belching.
Mr. Belding can sing Billy Joel...and pretty well.
The sunscreen is, and will always be, next to the DESITIN
"...the what?"
One word: Hookah
One more word: iPod
Hangovers are bitches.
"It's just a jump to the left..."
Sometimes, simplicity is best.
It's important to always lend an ear, and a shoulder.
Johnston County D.O.T. should label the roads at Bentonville more accurately.
Next time, don't be so hard on Lorraine. She just wants to check out the merchandise.
ALWAYS make sure your lights are on at night...you never know where a cop is.
Goodbye's aren't easy.
It's OK if you "don't feel like dancin'" because chances are, you will anyway.
And finally...
Make the most of it. Because when it's gone, you'll want to have as many memories as possible.
Here's to 2007
Later guys,
Dalebert