2007 in Review
Since I haven't journaled much this past year, I'm making an entry that recaps the most pertinent events from the past year (in chronological order, I think):
1. Grandpa Died
It was a tough blow to see one of my biggest supporters in life to pass on. Even though we all saw it coming over the last year he was alive, it was difficult to say goodbye. It was time for him to go because he was falling apart physically and mentally. What made it especially hard for me was that it happened right in the middle of a rather difficult term for me at school that I barely got through.
2. Bears in the Superbowl
It was the first football season I got into since I gave up being a Lions fan back in the early 90's. It was exciting to see so many people in my communities at home and school affixing themselves to the TV (or like me, radio) every Sunday to catch the Bears running over another team. It is sad that they couldn't pull it off in the final game, but it was good to see a Chicago team go so far.
3. Capstone
For the first time in my life, I enjoyed writing a paper. The funny thing is, my senior music capstone was supposed to be one of the most difficult to write and comprehensive of my undergrad career. Instead, it turned out to be the most detailed, finely researched document I've ever produced. It also was unrepresentative of what I had learned in the previous 5 years, but representative of what I was yet to learn in the next 3. Still, it was a good feeling to submit my first draft (that was written very easily) and being told not to change anything by all three on my council.
4. Band Trip to England/Scotland
Unfortunately it was not as part of the band, but being the sound guy and being able to say, "I'm with the band" is cool enough. It was my first time outside of the country and I couldn't have had a better experience. Cost a lot of money because the dollar was half against the pound. I got to sample the local beverages of choice, see some historic sites, and had one more opportunity to be with the best college band in the Midwest.
5. Getting the Heck out of Augustana
Hindsight is 20/20 and if I could go back, I would definitely choose a school with a focus on the liberal arts. The three things I take away from that school that I still respect are my friends, the symphonic band, and campus ministries. Bahls is leading that school so far down the crapper. Of course, there will always be the pro-school 4.5 students and Greek group partyers that will blindly give money to the school to keep it going. Having to get a second, usable education in another 3 years is my punishment for being fooled into a 5 year extension of High School.
6. Completing a Year of Being an Adult
This wasn't a particular event per se, but rather just a feeling I got during the summer. I had made many adult decisions in the last year prior to then and I felt that I made the right ones. I successfully found a reasonably priced apartment, maintained it, and kept abreast of all bills and rent. I held a part time job on top of school that entailed on average 24+ hours a week. I managed to be self sufficient and independent of my parents for all my living purposes. I know it is something that I can do again.
7. Moving to Hartford
After an arduous 2 day drive across half the country by myself in my overstuffed Buick, I arrived at what will be my home until at least May of 2010. Stemming off of #6 above, being away from not only my family, but everyone and everything I know was a big challenge for me. I managed to not only fall into my studies diligently, but managed to establish a social network to keep me sane. My experiences at Hartford are only just starting, but I continue to grow more confident every day in what I'm doing and knowing that I will be successful.
8. Cubs in the Playoffs
Didn't get far, but the fact that they went from worst to first in one season gave me a feeling that a North Side World Series is in store very soon.
9. Getting Engaged
Turning out to be the best decision I've ever made. After 2 years, I felt that I have truly found the person that completes me. Since that October night I feel that our love is stronger than ever and that our relationship will be lasting and satisfying.
10. Finishing a Successful Term at University of Hartford
Despite having to deal with a few cases of irresponsible classmates and almost unbearable campus life, I managed to pull off a great first term. My GPA is an astounding 3.73, which is the highest GPA I have ever received in my life. It's somewhat bothersome that I feel I could have done even better because there were times I knowingly didn't apply myself to the fullest. My roadmap of coursework is set for the next two years, and with luck, I'll land a few summer internships along the way. If you told me ten years ago that I was going to be an engineer, I would have told you to institutionalize yourself. My, how crazy life is.
1. Grandpa Died
It was a tough blow to see one of my biggest supporters in life to pass on. Even though we all saw it coming over the last year he was alive, it was difficult to say goodbye. It was time for him to go because he was falling apart physically and mentally. What made it especially hard for me was that it happened right in the middle of a rather difficult term for me at school that I barely got through.
2. Bears in the Superbowl
It was the first football season I got into since I gave up being a Lions fan back in the early 90's. It was exciting to see so many people in my communities at home and school affixing themselves to the TV (or like me, radio) every Sunday to catch the Bears running over another team. It is sad that they couldn't pull it off in the final game, but it was good to see a Chicago team go so far.
3. Capstone
For the first time in my life, I enjoyed writing a paper. The funny thing is, my senior music capstone was supposed to be one of the most difficult to write and comprehensive of my undergrad career. Instead, it turned out to be the most detailed, finely researched document I've ever produced. It also was unrepresentative of what I had learned in the previous 5 years, but representative of what I was yet to learn in the next 3. Still, it was a good feeling to submit my first draft (that was written very easily) and being told not to change anything by all three on my council.
4. Band Trip to England/Scotland
Unfortunately it was not as part of the band, but being the sound guy and being able to say, "I'm with the band" is cool enough. It was my first time outside of the country and I couldn't have had a better experience. Cost a lot of money because the dollar was half against the pound. I got to sample the local beverages of choice, see some historic sites, and had one more opportunity to be with the best college band in the Midwest.
5. Getting the Heck out of Augustana
Hindsight is 20/20 and if I could go back, I would definitely choose a school with a focus on the liberal arts. The three things I take away from that school that I still respect are my friends, the symphonic band, and campus ministries. Bahls is leading that school so far down the crapper. Of course, there will always be the pro-school 4.5 students and Greek group partyers that will blindly give money to the school to keep it going. Having to get a second, usable education in another 3 years is my punishment for being fooled into a 5 year extension of High School.
6. Completing a Year of Being an Adult
This wasn't a particular event per se, but rather just a feeling I got during the summer. I had made many adult decisions in the last year prior to then and I felt that I made the right ones. I successfully found a reasonably priced apartment, maintained it, and kept abreast of all bills and rent. I held a part time job on top of school that entailed on average 24+ hours a week. I managed to be self sufficient and independent of my parents for all my living purposes. I know it is something that I can do again.
7. Moving to Hartford
After an arduous 2 day drive across half the country by myself in my overstuffed Buick, I arrived at what will be my home until at least May of 2010. Stemming off of #6 above, being away from not only my family, but everyone and everything I know was a big challenge for me. I managed to not only fall into my studies diligently, but managed to establish a social network to keep me sane. My experiences at Hartford are only just starting, but I continue to grow more confident every day in what I'm doing and knowing that I will be successful.
8. Cubs in the Playoffs
Didn't get far, but the fact that they went from worst to first in one season gave me a feeling that a North Side World Series is in store very soon.
9. Getting Engaged
Turning out to be the best decision I've ever made. After 2 years, I felt that I have truly found the person that completes me. Since that October night I feel that our love is stronger than ever and that our relationship will be lasting and satisfying.
10. Finishing a Successful Term at University of Hartford
Despite having to deal with a few cases of irresponsible classmates and almost unbearable campus life, I managed to pull off a great first term. My GPA is an astounding 3.73, which is the highest GPA I have ever received in my life. It's somewhat bothersome that I feel I could have done even better because there were times I knowingly didn't apply myself to the fullest. My roadmap of coursework is set for the next two years, and with luck, I'll land a few summer internships along the way. If you told me ten years ago that I was going to be an engineer, I would have told you to institutionalize yourself. My, how crazy life is.