Happy Birthday

Today is my 24th birthday.

23 was full of ups and downs, as any year is. Overall, I think it was pretty good.

Last summer I was a member of the Bushwackers Drum and Bugle Corps. After a 5-year hiatus from the marching arts and music, it felt like coming home. I made some amazing friends and had a blast performing. Injuries forced me to end my season on quads early, but I found a new love in the front ensemble playing rack. This motivated me to finally get myself a drum set, a beautiful Gretsch Catalina Maple that I got like new for a steal on Craigslist. Starting to drum again brought back so much joy to my life.

The fall was tough. Working full time and taking four classes for my Masters was pretty stressful. All the stresses in my life culminated in a mental breakdown during a business trip at the end of October. When I returned I was determined to take control of my mental health and ended up in an Intensive Outpatient Program for nine hours a week. It took a lot of work and I came out better and feeling more in control than I ever have.

In the winter everything continued to look up. I met my current girlfriend who I feel I have the most mature and healthy relationship of my life with. I began running regularly again for the first time since my study abroad in Italy spring 2014 and ran my first half-marathon. I took myself on a vacation to Hong Kong and Singapore. I was taking my last class of my Masters. Of course there were some stressful things, like my family moving out of my childhood home. I felt more equipped to handle things that would have previously made me crazy.

Spring time has been wonderful. My girlfriend and I went on a great mini vacation to Orlando. I ran another half marathon. I graduated with my Masters in Applied Statistics. And this past weekend I moved to Arlington, VA into a beautiful new apartment with my girlfriend.

This year I have a lot of projects I’d like to work on, including this site. I want to make sure I’m always living life to the fullest and feeling fulfilled in what I do. I want to strive to always appreciate everything I have in my life and give back as much as I can. I want to explore the world and keep finding ways to make it better.

24, I’m ready to make the most out of you. Positive thoughts & positive trajectory.