Friday, March 27, 2009

Happy Birthday Dad!

I want to wish my father a happy birthday today, March 27th, 2009. I am sorry I'm not there to share the happy times with you, dad, but I know we will have many to come in the years ahead. You've always been someone I have admired, and yet still someone I will never fully understand. I guess that's what makes it special. We are not so very different, but I hope you can appreciate me being my own person in the choices I make in this life of mine.

I ask you this: Are you happy? Don't answer too quickly. Part of me feels that you and mom have created a comfortable, secure life, and in that there is some happiness. I think that there are many things you both have ignored or decided, in fear of change, to avoid in life that could bring happiness to you. I ask you to, in these coming years, go after those dreams and ambitions you have long set aside while and creating a home for us kids. Take advantage now of your acquired wealth, ideals, and wisdom and experience life at its fullest. I think about these things all the time, and want only for you to be happy as you grow older.

Hopefully, you and the family will have a great time. I do wish I could be there. Amy has gotten you a gift from us, and I can't remember what it is, but in addition to that, make sure you come up and stay with Dylan and I this summer and catch some fish. Fishing has always been a medium of bonding for us, and I anxiously look forward to that. Love you dad, John

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Hello everyone,

I have made it to week 3 of P90X and am starting my fourth. I am really seeing and feeling the results already!

Everything seems to be going well for me lately. My students are really fun and they are actually learning stuff. I enjoy going to work. How many people can say that? I have the cabin reserved for the summer with my bro and some friends. It should be the best summer ever. My administrator wrote me a heck of a recommendation for my next job so that is great. I have fifty holes of golf in already (44 being my lowest score-with four pars!). Also, moving back is going to be cheaper than I expected. Somehow I can't help but think something bad is going to happen. I doubt it though. I can't figure out why I've been so lucky lately.

I've been recording some newer songs in my home studio and making those sound good, so I'll be sure to get those to you guys as soon as I can. I can't wait to get back in the coffee shops playing for people--that is something I really miss.

Spring break is coming this next week, and my buddy Brian and I are heading to Southern Colorado to do some mountain biking and camping with one of his friends. It should be a blast. The specific area is Durango and Silverton, I believe, so you can check that out. I will be sure to take some great pics and video to post.

Here are some pics of my first week of P90X:














And here are some from after my 3rd week:











TTYLATER! Peace!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

A Brand New Start!

Hey everyone.
It's amazing how quickly life can change, and mine has done just that. I have had numerous BIG changes, and most for the better in the last month.
As most of you know I stayed in South Dakota this past January and February in the hopes of finding a new job. The goal was for me to get started in a solid career in order to help make the transition from Nevada back to South Dakota easier. Well, by mid February I was feel very down with basically no activity on the job front. Then during a wierd turn of events my mom and Bill ran into the VP of Human Resources for Lewis Drug at the Lewis raquetball tournament that Bill was playing in. They mentioned me and he asked me to come in and interview for his assistant position. I went in the following Monday and Wednesday I was offered the position.
I've now been with Lewis for three weeks, and I love it. My boss is great and all the people I've met here have been very welcoming and friendly. The work I do at times is overwhelming, but I feel as though I'm getting the hang of what needs to be done on a daily basis.
My job consists of two very differen parts. First, I do a lot of Human Resource work including new employee orientations, employee paperwork, scheduling, applicant tracking, ect. Second, is working with Loss Prevention. This area is a very new experience for me, and is definitely teaching me a lot. I basically am in charge of dealing with all the paperwork that happens when we deal with a shoplifter or someone you writes a bad check at one of the stores. This has been incredibly challenging, but also has been, and will continue to be, a great learning experience. Overall, I think this will be a great place to create a career in Human Resources. I'm very happy.
Although work is great, it has been hard being so far from John. We talk daily and I was able to make a trip back to Nevada before I started my job. It was so nice to see, not only John, but also all our friends back there. I'm glad I got the chance to say good-byes and even was able to substitute teach for my favorite class one more time. It was a great trip and I was suprised how hard it was to leave. Needless to say, I'll be glad when John is back. It's just not quite home without him.
Now the next few months will be full of planning for our new life here. With my job going well, I now need to start looking for a place for us to live. I'm still staying with Laci and Brett. I'm so thankful for them and their generosity. Although it's been great staying with them, I'm anxious to have my own place again and to start making a home here. That is one thing I loved about Nevada. Our apartment was never fabulous, but it was definitely "us". I'm ready to have that type of space again.
Well, that's all for now. Take care and I love you all!
Amy
P.S. Next time I'll try to include some pics!

Sunday, March 8, 2009

March to the finish line!

Hey all, just wanted to update you on the recent events of my mondane life here in West Wendover Nevada. I have a video that has some information, but I will type some as well.

Basketball has been over for about a month now, and that feels good. It was a great learning experience and I will surely miss those girls next year. My ten JV girls will be replacing eight of the ten varsity girls who graduate this year, so next year will be a rebuilding year. ON a positive note, the head coach's daughter Danika Sharp, who is a Junior this year, has signed a full scholarship to play for University of Nevada Reno, which is very impressive. I will miss coaching her next year as well.

Needless to say I have a lot of spare time these days. I just started P90X and have completed week one. Also I am putting 15,000 steps/day on my pedometer. I'm sure that will increase as I golf every day after school. Unfortunately the weather, which Dylan can attest, has been cold and windy. I am not impressed. I do have 27 holes of golf under my belt and can't wait to continue.

Other than that, teaching is going good. Everyone is taking my leaving really well, especially my administrators, who are standup guys to say the least. They are writing some recommendations for me, which will help to ensnare a job at the Educator Job Fair I will be attending in Sioux Falls on the 22nd of April.

Now for the most exciting news of all. My brother Dylan and I, and possibly two of our friends, were lucky enough to secure a cabin on Twin Lakes MN, our vacationing lake, for the summer. This is something we will greatly enjoy and have dreamed of doing ever since we were little boys. We are happy to have chosen education as a career to make this possible, and look forward to fishing, swimming, golfing, and spending time in the wonderful outdoors of north central Minnesota. Well, check out the video for more info! TTYL - JOHN