I am not one to make new year’s resolutions, I find that superficial goals like these can discredit any real accomplishment made during the year. So, instead of making goals, I would like to reflect on the accomplishments, hard ships, and memories of the past year that stand out the most.
The first, and foremost important, was Julie and I’s beautiful Maui Wedding on April 30th. After our long term engagement of almost two years, Julie and I had come to a point in which the wedding of our dreams was ready to become a reality. We forsook most typical tradition, and looked for a more simpleton avenue, one that procured love, union, and compassion in the most raw sense. Our ceremony was beautiful, our family was in full attendance, and the setting was perfect. These are the things that matter most to us. I will always remember our drive to Hana and the night spent there after our wedding. From the mango banana bread that we bought on the side of the road, to the quaint little cabin we rented for the evening, I will cherish these days. I will forever remember our day trip to the north western part of the island for a hike to the blow hole, and a lunch stop at the Maui Brewing Company on the way home. Other vivid memories include the excellent fish kabobs we had in Lahaina, the sunrise at Haleakala Crater, hikes to both the Aquarium and Fish Bowl snorkeling spots, the countless beaches, swimming with a sea turtle, barbecuing fish almost every night, and most of all, becoming even closer to my beautiful wife in a tropical paradise that we will always associate with our becoming of husband and wife.
Secondly, Julie and I went to visit my Grandmother in Cincinnati, OH. Grandma Dot went to the hospital due to shortness of breathe. They had to intubate her, and assist her breathing. When I heard of this news I knew I had to visit her. I had just accepted a new job at POP Multimedia, and therefore had the ability to take a few days off in between jobs, which I allotted for a trip to visit my Grandma. While visiting, Grandma was in a rehab center to help her build her strength, the few hours spent with her each day allowed me to catch up with her. She told Julie and I of her time as a child growing up on a tobacco farm in Iowa, from school to friends. She told me stories of my Dad in his youth, helping me understand myself even further. Taking advantage of my time in Cincinnati, we attempted to see all of the family that live in the area. We stayed at my Aunt Debbie and Uncle Tom’s house, who took great care of us. We were able to meet up with my Aunt Cheryl, Uncle Jon, and Cousin Lori for dinner and a conversation to catch up. We had a great breakfast and cup of coffee with my cousin Johann the morning of our last day, afterwards my Aunt Annie hosted a lunch with us, my Uncle Joey, Aunt Barb, Uncle Ed, my other Aunt Barb, and cousin Marella. It was amazing catching up and rekindling these relationships with family I had not seen in over 10 years.
The third and most recent memory of 2007 was spending the remainder of the year with my Brother, Sister-In-Law, and niece. With my new job I receive the holidays off, and what better thing to do than to spend this time with family. We flew to Salt Lake City on the 27th and remained there until New Year’s Day. The week was spent playing with Sahale, evening chats with Josh and Annie over home brew and select bottles of mostly Belgian brews. The ground was covered with a blanket of snow that made the holiday feel fulfilled. Josh’s brewing has reached an amazing level. On Saturday we spent the entire day brewing up a new batch, a wild yeast Lambic. This beer will not be ready for consumption for one year, a very poetic and beautiful association I will have with this, a new year, an annual visit maybe? This was the first time I have been present during an entire brewing process, and a very educational one at that. We had a great dinner every night, taking turns at the helm. New Year’s Eve was most awesome. It consisted of friends and family making home made sushi, consuming home brew, dancing and singing, and just having a blast.
Some other memories from the past year include hikes in the North Cascades, attending yet another Sasquatch Festival, visiting Vancouver twice, once for fruit and food, and a second time for food and to see Tokyo Police Club, my good friend Mike and his wife Karin’s reception, birthdays of friends, holidays spent with family, and Julie acquiring her Associates of Arts degree, the first step toward her dream career.
I can only hope that 2008 will bring as much love and great memories as the previous year did.
