After the tumultuous combinations of world events that forever shaped the landscape of the United States and the world in 2020 and 2021, 2022 presented itself with a return to normalcy in many ways. This sense of normalcy allowed for further growth in professional and personal developments that will leave a permanent mark on me in years to come.
The most landmarked moments of course this year include a glorious engagement to my wife to be, a pre-honeymoon adventure to Hawaii, and of course a supremely exhilarting 200th trip to Phil’s BBQ.
Professionally, I’ve been having mostly a good time teaching at Dale Junior High, with this year marking the end of my 7th year of teaching and the start of my 8th. There will always be various negatives that come with teaching, including the lack of discipline inherent in school systems everywhere. There will always a stark contrast between what students really need and what is ultimately prescribed to us by both academic and political forces beyond our control. Simply stated, the power of the teacher is rather limited, and there is not much we can do to affect societal changes that come from student’s home life (or lack thereof)… and yet I continue to endure – to teach as much as I can, to develop relationships whenever possible, and continue to support them throughout the course of the year. All of course with an illusionary personality where I pretend to not care about students, because for some reason that works a lot better for me. Milestones for the year include fostering new friendships at work with-coworkers and of course starting a Builder’s Club and Student Senate.
On a personal level, I’m happy to continue cherishing the friendships built over the course of my life. I’m forever grateful to all the people that have allowed me to get to this point, because without them, I don’t know how I would have gotten here. To the high school friends who endured with me through every breakup and “emo” experiences of the past. To the college friends that played many boardgames (even to this day). To the former co-workers that continue to understand that pain and struggle that is teaching. To everyone else that has seen me this year, I am grateful for your involvement in my life. I will continue to cherish these relationships as I move forward into new adventures in 2023 and beyond. My 200th trip to Phil’s BBQ served a great reminder allowing me to reflect on all the people I’ve gone to that restaurant with. Although I’ve lost contact with many of the people I’ve been there with, every time I eat there I will forever remember the great memories made with all the friends and 350ish people I’ve taken there. It’s like I’m taking a bite of everybody’s souls when I’m there.
In the end, 2022 was a great year. My relationship with Katherine evolved into a new level as we entered engagement. And though things don’t feel much different than when we started, I am forever eternally blessed to be in such a loving and supportive relationship. It’s funny how when you meet the right person, things click into place and life suddenly becomes a lot easier. From Boba Runs, Meal Prepping, Trips to Kaju and Kyotori, Paint Nites, Proposals, Photoshoots, Binge Watching Shows and Movies, Volunteering, Hiking, Trips (to Hawaii), Shopping Trips, Karaoke Sessions, I will embrace and forever cherish all the memories we make for the rest of our lives.
Here’s to 2023 where I will reach a new milestone. Marriage, and with it a whole new set of adventures and stories to come. As well as a potential visit to the motherland (Vietnam), where I will embrace or forever disown my roots. And the rest is still unwritten.
