Happy Birthday to me
I am getting old. I really don't feel old. I still feel like a kid a lot of the time. It amazes me that my mother already had two kids by the time she was my age and was raising us by herself while working and going to school. I'm busy enough just going to school, working a few days a week and taking care of Jasper P. Coltraine. It has been a good year for me, but there is much more I want to accomplish in the coming months and years. So, for one class last semester, whenever we turned in a lab, we had to include three things we had learned from the experience. I will now share three things I learned/accomplished this year, my 26th year on earth:
1. Thanks to the guidance of good friends and well written books, I have decided to become a Christian "again." I am still learning what this means to me and my life. It has been one of the easiest and hardest things I have ever chosen to do. But I love the changes I have already seen in myself, my attitude, and my life. For those of you who may not have none this about me, and may recall me as the agnostic philosopher who opposed organized religion, please do not think that I have sold out, given up, or been brainwashed. Do not be so quick to label or judge. I am still and always will be a philosopher at heart, who thinks everything through with much debate and deliberation. I have just come to understand that faith and logic can coexist, although I am still working out the kinks, so to speak. I am still the same person, although I hope that now I am becoming a better person.
2. This year I have learned more about nutrition and food than I ever thought I could...and I still don't know nearly enough. For the first time since age 13, when I went on my first diet, I feel that I have the knowledge that will help me lose weight and gain overall wellness. I know what it takes, now I just have to do it. And this is my year to do so. This past year I started to see the effects of being overweight; stomach problems, knee injuries, depression. And this year my mother was diagnosed with type II diabetes (die-uh-beat-us), my father has suffered minor strokes and various other injuries and health problems, my sister has continued to gain weight, and even my 9 year old brother has health issues---all because of poor eating habits. More than ever, I am motivated to continue my education, and do my part to help people become more healthy...I just need to do it first myself. *****(More on this later.)*****
3. I realized this year that I have great friends. I am so glad that I have had the chance to spend more time with my high school friends, and everyone else in that gang. Keith, Tara and Jeremy have been especially instrumental in my life...thank you. I have enjoyed getting to know new people and getting to know the old friends better than I ever did in the reynolds days. I have also enjoyed getting to know Evan's friends. I feel like I have known you all forever...especially when we all say the same thing at the same time. I consider many of you my friends, not just Evan's...and I hope you consider me in the same regard. This year was also the first year I have lived with roommates since my junior year of college, not including living with someone I was dating. And I have loved it so far! Meredith and Alison are so much fun, and so laid back. I was skeptical about living with others again...but it has really been great. I have the two greatest roommates I could possible ask for. Finally, this year I got to continue dating and getting to know someone I consider my best friend. Thank you, Evan, for all you do for me.
Sorry for the long post...but as my sister, Hannah said, (who is 7): "It's her birthday she can do whatever she wants!" And I felt a little reflection was in order.
1. Thanks to the guidance of good friends and well written books, I have decided to become a Christian "again." I am still learning what this means to me and my life. It has been one of the easiest and hardest things I have ever chosen to do. But I love the changes I have already seen in myself, my attitude, and my life. For those of you who may not have none this about me, and may recall me as the agnostic philosopher who opposed organized religion, please do not think that I have sold out, given up, or been brainwashed. Do not be so quick to label or judge. I am still and always will be a philosopher at heart, who thinks everything through with much debate and deliberation. I have just come to understand that faith and logic can coexist, although I am still working out the kinks, so to speak. I am still the same person, although I hope that now I am becoming a better person.
2. This year I have learned more about nutrition and food than I ever thought I could...and I still don't know nearly enough. For the first time since age 13, when I went on my first diet, I feel that I have the knowledge that will help me lose weight and gain overall wellness. I know what it takes, now I just have to do it. And this is my year to do so. This past year I started to see the effects of being overweight; stomach problems, knee injuries, depression. And this year my mother was diagnosed with type II diabetes (die-uh-beat-us), my father has suffered minor strokes and various other injuries and health problems, my sister has continued to gain weight, and even my 9 year old brother has health issues---all because of poor eating habits. More than ever, I am motivated to continue my education, and do my part to help people become more healthy...I just need to do it first myself. *****(More on this later.)*****
3. I realized this year that I have great friends. I am so glad that I have had the chance to spend more time with my high school friends, and everyone else in that gang. Keith, Tara and Jeremy have been especially instrumental in my life...thank you. I have enjoyed getting to know new people and getting to know the old friends better than I ever did in the reynolds days. I have also enjoyed getting to know Evan's friends. I feel like I have known you all forever...especially when we all say the same thing at the same time. I consider many of you my friends, not just Evan's...and I hope you consider me in the same regard. This year was also the first year I have lived with roommates since my junior year of college, not including living with someone I was dating. And I have loved it so far! Meredith and Alison are so much fun, and so laid back. I was skeptical about living with others again...but it has really been great. I have the two greatest roommates I could possible ask for. Finally, this year I got to continue dating and getting to know someone I consider my best friend. Thank you, Evan, for all you do for me.
Sorry for the long post...but as my sister, Hannah said, (who is 7): "It's her birthday she can do whatever she wants!" And I felt a little reflection was in order.