In the Last Year

“In the last year, what would others say of your life? What happened?

______________________________
Here are a few that come to mind,

1. Brought to life two wonderful children. Twins. One boy and one girl.

2. Scaled the heights of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

3. Hiked through some of the most incredible wilderness settings.

4. Said goodbye to a Grandmother, who was loved with all my heart.

5. Met new friends and grew closer to others.

6. Strengthened in my faith in God.

7. Held on to work more loosely while earning in increase of 10K per year.

8. Earned a mountaineering certification.

9. Put my heart into an photo journal that continues to inspire others.

10. Worked out a personal mission and vision statement.

And 2003 is promising to be even a better year!!!

______________________________
What stands out with you? What balance and passion is there in your life?”

“I just had a sort of a club reunion today. I met alot of the old gang...one was a gal I had a crush on (nine years ago). She now have a 2 1/2 year old boy. That got me thinking...jeez, nine years have passed...I really haven't changed (other than getting older and wider at the waist). I'm still part-owner of the same business, my social life sucks, participate in less sports and not really getting out there making new friends. Christ, I better stop...I'm going to depress everyone. :o)”

“1. Learned that simply living fully is more important than how life is lived.

2. Developed a deeper passion for all things left-wing.

3. Broadened my spiritual horizons and deepened my spiritual well.

4. Rediscovered friends.

5. Was found by a woman who helped me be much less bitter and jaded towards those of the XX variety.

6. Began to make peace with himself and the world.

Peace,
SP”

“Whoa... after reading my post over I realized that each of those things have to do with the camp I was at this past summer.

Peace,
SP”

“1. My Wife and I celebrated twenty years of marriage.

2. My kids are doing really well in school and life in general.

3. I finally climbed Mount Whitney and did so with my oldest son.
Something about completing that 22 mile day hike boosted my self esteem and confidence and my non backpacking friends can't even phathom it.

4. Making memories with my kids that will last a lifetime.

5. Met some great new TT friends this year and hope to meet many more in the years to come.

6. Many new adventures in the Sierra...places I have never seen before.

7. More new gear woohoo!

8. And most importantly...
Blessed beyond belief!”

“I need to think about this and get back to ya! Hmmmmmm.............”

“1. I was introduced to TT

2. Got divorced. Which now I see as a good thing.

3. Left Alaska for North Dakota. Boy did I get screwed in that deal.

4. Went on a hell of a road trip. Alaska to north east Minnesota in 5.5 days

5. Found what I was looking for in a women.

6. Drank a little much then I have.

7. That is all that I can think of as of now.”

“This past year has been average, but still had some good points:

1. I've learned to relize when I'm getting worked up and have indentified what those things are getting me going.
2. I've learned to not take work as seriously as I have in the past. Everyday I am frustrated with work, I remind myself that it's not all that bad, it least I have employment. This thought hasn't stopped me from looking fer another job, though.
3. I have started to address my spiritual situation. Though I am not into Christ or any other single deity worship, I still feel that need to structure the inner soul to help me deal with the world. I am currently exploring Buddhism way of life. Maybe there is something there for me.
4. My feelings for the outdoors have increased 10 fold. I feel the need to get involed in more to help out. I am trying to find a way in incorporated this into my life style.
5. I am very proud that my son is progessing the way he is and I have another child on the way. If we can be only half as lucky with this one as we were with our son, everything will be just fine.
6. My family life is going very well, only I wish that my in-laws were a little more "stable". My sister seems to be doing better (but she still hasn't gotten her frickin' knee check out!!!!) and my other sister has made plans to get married and move back from Germany. My mom seems to be doing better dealing with my father death. Grandma had an up and down year health wise, but she's decided that she's going to go when SHE wants to.
7. I have met some amazing people on hikes this past year and was fortunate to hang with the regulars. This has been a very positive thing for me and I can only see it growing more.”

“Hmmmmm

1. Got to see my daughter learn to walk,run and talk. Seeing her grow is amazing and humbling.
2. I got to spend countless hours of time with my wife hiking and playing even though we work seperate shifts and rarely see each other mon-fri.
3. Having drifted away from my church I also drifted from Christ unfortunately, I have,however, noticed the difference in my actions attitudes and desires and am going back into the Fold as it were.
4. Spent 24 nights hiking with my best friends this year. Its amazing that a message board can draw us so close to others. Many of those I have met here are closer to me now than lifelong friends.
5. Got to see my Nation evolve,devolve, change mutate adapt and alter in so many ways.
6. I got a raise in a time of layoffs at work
7. I have finished 30 outta 38 credits of my required licensing classes.
8. I am closer to my Mom than ever.

All in all a great year, with so much potential in the future.”

“Got to do some of the best hiking ever which makes me realize how great God is.

Made some great friends and learned some lessons.

8)”

“This year has been amazing in terms of the friendships I've made... which are continuing to grow.

Although this happened last year, it has had a enormous impact on my life during this year...I met my "twin". Someone who, it sometimes seems, knows me better than I know myself. Can read me like a book. Sees things in me I don't always recognize. Will listen to anything I have to say w/out judging me. Has supported me through difficult times. Is a downright blast to hang around. And, is the sister I never had:
Sassafras. (Of course, her husband doesn't suck either.)

This year I've spent more time on the trail then ever before.

This year, work, while completely exhausting and overwhelming at times, has proved to me that I am a strong person and that I can excel at most anything I do.

This year, I've been up and I've been down. Through it all, I manage to keep a positive outlook on life. I'm very proud of that.”

“I don't know about y'all...

but my year has sucked!”

“I'm sorry Buddur things will only get better dude!

Going down the road feeling bad.......

Just thought I would throw that dead toon in there for ya.

8)”

“I was driving home tonight thinking about this question a bit..and it was almost dusk..the moon was on my left..high in the sky, almost full. The sun setting to my right..silhouetting the mountains. The sky was a strange pinkish color. I thought about how blessed I am. When I feel like my world is so out of control..that there is a God that hung the moon in it's place and painted the sunset for me to see and right there watching over all the craziness.

When I look back at this year I don't see any major accomplishments or changes really. I do see though that my family is healthy. I have made some new friends this year...experienced some new adventures...and am looking forward to another year to continue on the adventure I've embarked on!”

“Just a guess, CMB, butI think part of the reason Buddur's year hasn't been the greatest might have something to do w/ "going down the road" w/out an automobile.”

“My biggest highlight is buying a chihuahua pup 2 months ago. Her name is Capri after a southern Italian Island. Now she is 2lbs 4oz. She's the best companion a person can have, and I love her deeply.”

“Oh yeah, I bought a house a year ago, but buying the dog was even better.”

“every year i attend a new years eve meditation fire ceremony. It is a beautiful thing where resolutions to
accomplish something are not made,but instead, to write on a piece of paper something inside ourselves that seems to be blocking our path towards god/peace/joy/bliss..and throw it in the fire so that it cannot grow and flourish in the coming year. Well, last year, i tossed judgement into the fire.
i made a conscious decision to wake up every day and see it ALL, every person, place , thing and predicament as god and not separate what i think is a good thing or a bad thing. just to dance to the song that is playin.

let me tell ya....worked for me! makes me want to cry just to think of how gifted and challenged i have been this year.

~~ found my little plot of wilderness in the sun, sold the city house and retreated to the woods where i wake up everyday and bow down in thanks...

~~ all my family and friends still continue to enjoy good health as well as myself. did lose a former teammate ,"pink hat"...he decided to shoot his wife and then himself...wow!..it happened while i was at montanapalooza...i miss him and his hot pink hat ...it just confirms the knowledge that tho the body is dead..that spirit is still out in left field!
~~~ Enjoyed a subsequent and great softball season with my regular team in which my son joined us....He was lead off batter! and I was second...what a treat! I just love thursday nights...
~~~~managed to manage the lab peacefully this year...everyone comes to work happy including myself...
~~~~and of course, the backpacking and paddling trips and beautiful beings I have met and shared steps on this glorious planet with....
...tekapo, your photo journal was bookmarked long ago and is indeed an inspiration~~~~words and images..i love it.....thank you

yikes...look what time it is!!”