Sit down, buckle up and just listen.............

People I will be the first to say that my last effort was crap, but I just wanted to write. Yup, a failure. My mother even let me know last night, so strange. So here is where I do what I do......

I continue to wake up in the state I was born in, and oddly enough I would have let for Idaho by now. There is something about the open road that is inviting to me. In 2003 I went on my first mission trip with the church I was attending and it was exactly what I needed at that time in my life, my mind set was to have no expectations....I guess I should have that mind set for all of my trips, even if they are back to Minnesota. I have such a packed time here I actually feel sick. The food, the friends and the drinks..........oooohhhh, could I just get a glass of water and a chair in the sun?

I am open to as much to my surroundings as I can be these days. I will try and capture the moments with friends. I was able to see some of the best people in my life and share stories and time with them. From what has become Friday coffee dates with Cholie(?) and her father, to last minute beers at a bar or on the back steps of a friends house, walking around my favorite lake with my favorite female to firing up the hot oil with the Unspectacular Seven. I have had some great moments. I am not sure if this is supposed to recharge me for the road ahead or to hook me into the life I am supposed to live.

This trip was to try and kick start a couple things for the upcoming summer and I could not be happier with the results. I was not only able to work on my thesis over at Bethel but get some face time with my advisor. She is such an amazing woman. I really feel good about starting this paper and where I want to go with it. It will be a lot of work, but since I believe in it I actually believe it will spill out of me onto the page. I met with a realtor about the thought of selling my house. Through the past 7 months I have learned to release my grip on certain things in life and it feels pretty good. The REALLY odd thing is that I do not get an overwhelming feeling that I am supposed to sell my house. We shall see how I feel in 6 weeks. I was able to spend enough time with family. Easter was a marathon of patience, but so much fun. Regardless of where we are at my family knows how to laugh when they get together. WE might be as normal as everybody else about communicating about issues but man can we have a good time. It should come to no surprise that we are a loud bunch as well. Check my FB soon for photos of the little buggers. I was going to try and find a PT job for the summer when I was home but that didn't happen.

Ahhh, I love music. I just downloaded a couple new albums and am loving it!! Thanks JW.

Please do not fall out of your chair, but I was also able to spend time with this woman. I realize I do not open up about this part of my life - ever, but what the hell. I have learned more about myself during this time in exile, which has accidentally poured into my thoughts on relationships. Regardless of the position I find myself in I think she is truly amazing. Now, I wouldn't say she doesn't frustrate the hell out of me at times BUT that melts away when I spend time with her. When she puts her hand on me, or I look into her eyes or we find ourselves laughing in the lotion section of Target these are the things that do it for me. There are times that I think that she might not know what to do with me, I mean I have some ideas but I try and keep them to myself. I sure hope the shelf life on these entries is as short as I think it is :) I look forward to more trips to Target.

I will try and wrap this up soon. Please, please PLEASE when you think of me over the next six weeks - pray. I am wrapping up my first year of teaching, moving back to Minnesota for the summer and writing my thesis. Your thoughts carry me through the day. I want to finish the year on a positive note and enjoy my remaining time there. Officially I do not know if there is a position for me there next year. My future is bright, but unclear. I am doing what I can to move forward but unsure where it will take me. I have a couple things I need to take care of this summer and go from there.

I just keep singing the song........."the future's so bright I gotta wear shades........."

Sorry, here is a little insight to where I am at with life. I had the fellas over last night - so much fun. Before everyone got there Tim and I were playing a mean game of pong. Newest rule is that you have to have your drink on the table during play. We got some good laughs during the first game. Tim had his drink in one of my favorite glasses and I only have a couple left. You are unable to get these glasses any more because of the cost and I think everybody else stole them from the bar as well ;) It was a Pizza Luce glass, heavy with the ridges going down the sides. I got two the night back in the day that Scott wanted to have a bonfire over at Como Park. I forget whether they were put in my coat or her purse. Anywho, during an amazing volley he went aggressively for a shot and went right through the glass. It did not even phase me. Back in the day who knows. We laughed so hard!! I joked that I was more heart broken over the quality beverage that had been spilled. Man, I used to be such a tight minded bastard!! I just hope that this summer is filled with more laughs, memories and broken glasses!!