Christmas

Jackson...

We Want to Know Wednesday: Week 14

{1} What was the best part of 2011?

My birthday and my University of Wyoming graduation is what I’ll remember the most from this year. I think the best part of 2011 was the satisfaction of getting my life very close to what I would have said at 20 years old would be an ideal situation for me when I was 30. Getting married is still on my wish list as something I’d like to have happen before I die, but even if that never happens I’m still very pleased that I’m back in touch with my best friends and to have made some additional friends in recent years as well.

{2} What do you look forward to in 2012?
2012 should be another interesting year. I doubt that 2012 will be memorable as 2011, since this was possibly the best year of my life so far, but hopefully 2012 will still be a very enjoyable year.

{3} Do you actually keep your New Year Resolutions? I don’t like making specific New Year Resolutions, because I think that each of us should just have a lifelong resolution to improve a little every day. It’s fine to focus on making improvements, but I’ve learned that resolutions can be counterproductive if I get discouraged by setting an unrealistic goal such as being the best mountain climber in the world.

(4) What are your resolutions for the New Year?
1. I’m going to try to not be so annoyingly “helpful” to Sheila and my closest friends. I realize they’re all intelligent adults, but I still become too anxious to help them because they’ve always had so much potential and talent. I care about them so it’s very important to me that they’re aware of how extraordinary each of them are in their own way.

2. Ever since my mom died I’ve felt as if it should be a significant priority to live each day as if it’s the last day I’ll ever have. I want to improve on not allowing my disability to make me so frustrated with myself that the negative feelings carry over into the next day or week, because staying in a bad mood is usually a waste of my time. I try not to complain, since I realize that some people have worse problems than I ever will, but I am human and it’s easy to develop a bad attitude or be overwhelmed whenever I start being too concerned about things that I have no control over like not being able to walk anymore. I want to be more resolved to still remain focused on living my life to the fullest and not dwelling so much on those negative aspects to the point that it takes away from the positive aspects of my life that should have the majority of my attention.

{5} Do you have any fun New Year's traditions or plans?

I don’t have any plans and should start some fun New Year’s traditions. I traditionally like to watch the college football bowl games or the NBA games on New Year's, but that’s not very festive. It seems like too much unnecessary effort to travel to Times Square in New York just to be there on January 1st.

We Want to Know Wednesday: Christmas Edition

1. Who is the most difficult person for you to buy a Christmas gift for?
David. I usually ask Sheila if she thinks he'll like whatever I'm planning on giving him.

2. Who is the easiest person for you to buy a Christmas gift for? Sheila. I have some idea of what she likes and dislikes by now at least.

3. What is your all-time favorite Christmas gift?
The Denver Broncos helmet Santa gave me when I was a kid. I'd probably still wear that helmet around the house all day if it fit.

4. What is your favorite Christmas song?

Swimming at the Jackson Rec Center

My Dad's Birthday

Last week my Dad turned 60. Here are some pictures I took at his birthday party...

We Want to Know Wednesday Week 12

1. Who is an underrated singer?


2. Who is an overrated singer?


3. What is a song you dislike by a favorite singer?


4. What is a song you like by a singer you dislike?


5. What is one of your current favorite songs?

Christmas Tree

Yesterday I went with my parents to select a Christmas tree. I missed having Sheila there to help us pick one out, but I am looking forward to being able to spend Christmas with David and Sheila in a few weeks...

We Want to Know Wednesday: Week 11

1. Have you ever thought of one of your friends as more than a friend?
Yes, I fell in love with one of my closest friends but I eventually had a falling out with her because of it. I felt like I'd legitimately put everything I had into the friendship and it hurt me quite a bit to realize that she'd still never love me after all of that effort. She's an incredible person and I do hope that she finds someone that will make her very happy, but it reached a point where we needed to go our separate ways so I could move on with life to hopefully be able to find happiness with someone else some day.

2. Did you ever have a crush on a friend?
I did have a crush on a few of my friends growing up. They were very nice to me and I appreciated it.

3. How did you learn about sex? Did you talk to your parents about it?
Some of the criminal justice classes and the health class I had in college is where I mostly have learned about it. During my internship I'd read some reports of domestic violence situations, such as rape, that would be quite detailed or graphic. However, I've never felt comfortable with talking to my parents about it. That'd be a very awkward conversation for me and it's still not something that I'm actively seeking much information about at this point in my life.

4. Do you think that love is worth it?
I feel that love is worth it. Loving someone outside of my family has only caused me to be heartbroken so far. However, I think it has made me want to be a better person when I've recognized the good qualities certain people in my life have that I've admired and respected for a long time now. I can't even imagine how good of a feeling it would be if someone loved me as much I loved them some day.

5. Is it easier for you to tell people that you care about them or show them that you care?
It's always been much easier for me to show people that I care about them instead of telling people directly that I care about them.

Arizona Scenic Pictures

Phoenix...

Thanksgiving

Here are some pictures from my trip to Arizona for Thanksgiving...

Arizona:
The Grand Canyon...


Cal at Arizona State football game...







Phoenix Zoo...







Swimming with David and Sheila...




Christmas lights at the Mesa Temple...



Utah:




Bryce Canyon...