This past year has been a great learning experience. I've been blessed with many life changing experiences and achieved various goals and life milestones. The year started with a late night flight back to Utah from home... nothing like bringing in new year in the air flying from one time zone to another and not knowing exactly when the year has begun.
Next thing I knew, I was on a plane again to visit my Intern and ASPSA family. At a time when I was struggling 6 months into transition, it was a blessing to be back with the people that have been amazingly supportive forces in my life even though I had only known them for a year and a half at that point. Time with them was the greatest reminder that laughter is key to happiness in life.
After the typical day-to-day after day-to-day routine in Logan, in May it was off to Vegas for the first time. Five people in a jeep and sharing a hotel room for two nights... couldn't have been a better trip. We relaxed, let loose and celebrated the union of friends. We taught an entire group of strangers the importance of follow through and dedication of fighting to the end of every play in any game.
After a month or so of uneventfulness, it was time for one of the biggest learning experience of my life... playing guardian to a teen. There was no playing involved though. It was all business at least 8 hours a day with strict rules and expectations 24/7. The only 'fun and games' were hikes, gym time and board games that the teen was not too keen on. I really don't like to be the bad person, but that was the definition of my role for one month during what should have been my summer of freedom and fun. I cracked the whip day-after-day, held fast the the rules I had set, and did not give in when I was hated. A once strong relationship nearly deteriorated, but in the best interest of other's future. The biggest lessons end up not being in grammar, punctuation and basic algebra, but rather the importance and value of education, family and respect.
After what seemed like the longest drive of my life (only eight hours!) with an unhappy 15 year old, I was blessed to meet the two newest members of my Carroll family and visit with others. Four of the most influential years of my life were spent in Helena and my definition of family changed and grew immensely during that time. Now, that family continues to grow and change as those that blessed my life there are fortunate enough to grow their own family's.
After only a week or so back in Logan, it was on the road again for a crazy amount of family time and another change to the family structure. I love, love, love to travel and love equally as much to spend time with (most of) my family. I was with my aunt and uncle from Georgia and another aunt from Washington for a week. I am so blessed to have had the time with them. We spent 4 days in Jackson Hole, Wyoming enjoying the national park, bailing out of the car at the first sight of buffalo, white water rafting, and listening to Walla Walla Kid tell endless stories at night and educate us (and the locals) on guns and shootin' during the day. Then it was the day-long drive to Havre, Montana for a family event... my sister's wedding.
It was a crazy couple days preparing for her BIG day. As many people know, there was a list of "rules" I had to follow that weekend. To those people that set me up so I would violate rules... THANK YOU! I have no doubt it was well worth the laugh you got out of the situation. Although I may have had to bite my tongue at times, this family wedding helped me to realize first-hand how others choose to define family, adapt their priorities, and such. It also taught me exactly what I do and do not want to do as a bride or wedding party member in the future... and for that matter, simply how I want to act and be perceived as a wedding celebration attendee!
In all the hustle and bustle of family trips and wedding nuptials, I missed an important anniversary. The one year mark of holding my current job -- full-time and permanent! The first time since undergrad that at the one-year mark I didn't have to pack my stuff and move to a new job... a new state... a new life. In a year and a half's time, I have learned so much about myself, my passion, my work, and the importance and power of relationships.
In August and September, everything in life and at work seemed to happen quickly, one after the other. It was back to school in no time at all after the quality family time. Did I even have a summer?! The weeks of the academic term passed quickly, games were won and lost and it was mid-semester in no time. Then, it was off to Arizona (for the first time) for professional development. It was the personal development and lessons during that time that were probably equally or more educational for me. I learned the power of the decision I had made to accept my current position... things could have been very different had I even stepped foot on another campus. I could be living in a different town, working in a different position, and be in a totally different place in my life. I also met several friends that I was with for only a couple days, but now talk to regularly. And, I formed several professional relationships that I know have the power to change my life quickly.
With the excitement of the end of regular playing seasons and post-season wins for students and coaches, my anxiety grew. It was nearing the end of the semester, but the possibility of being blessed with amazing opportunities also loomed. The importance of positive relationships with those who can advocate for you was more than evident. This was demonstrated when I was able to travel to Auburn for the first round of NCAA's with the soccer squad. The excitement of the trip for me was two-fold. I wanted nothing more than to be present and cheering the team on, but also I could return to the South even if only for a few days. I was fortunate enough to have my AUM family take time out of their busy schedules to make the trek from Montgomery to Auburn to visit for the afternoon. It made my anticipation to return next October for a wedding even greater!
The next blessing was the day I became a (self-proclaimed) godparent. Some people might question the "self-proclaimed" part. But, fact of the matter is, that's just how we operate. Scott, Mathea and I have been friends since we talked on the dorm phones looking at each other thru the windows of Guad during freshman year. There's just an understanding there... we make life decisions for each other. Scott and I nominated ourselves godparents of the unborn, gender-unknown child months before it's birth. Mathea never questioned our role with her child and accepted it from day one. Mathew was born the Monday before Thanksgiving and even though I haven't been able to meet him yet, he's been an amazing addition to my life and family. I get photos, videos and text updates of him several times a week. Heck, my mom even made him his crib quilt and got the outfit he came home from the hospital in. That sums up how my parents (or at least my mom) and I view family... ever growing to include the people that bless our lives.
The year ended how in evolved... in a whirlwind of events and holidays in the presence of "family" but never the same people. It was a "Very Randall Thanksgiving" that involved pre-Thanksgiving festivities, Thanksgiving Day festivities and post-Thanksgiving festivities. Until this year, I never knew Thanksgiving was a Wednesday thru Saturday holiday! Then there was the stress and craziness of Dead Week, Finals Week and Bowl Game prep. In my world, people talk about the craziness and how it impacts EVERYONE in athletics. Experiencing this first-hand though, does not do other's explanations justice... especially when the bowl game you attend falls during Finals Week! Then, it was off to Boise for an overnight trip to be a part of the Aggie Nation supporting the team's accomplishments. I hold out hope that some take notice that walking away without a win should not overshadow what was achieved throughout the season and foundation that was paved for the future of the program. Then it was Christmas... spent with another family... the Thomas family.
And now it's the end. I don't know what tonight will hold, but I can guarantee it will be epic... it will be legendary. After a successful Ugly Sweater Party, we're hosting a New Year's Eve Bash. The text invites are sent, the fridge is stocked, my new board game is made, and the shopping list written to prepare for a successful night of celebrating the end and the beginning.
What will be written in my life's story during the next year? What changes will affect my life's path? What blessings will impact me? The future is unwritten, but I have no doubt the next year will have many life changing experiences and lessons to be learned. It will be yet another year I am blessed to be living the good life.
Goodbye 2011. Hello 2012.
"Be the best version of YOU not because it's a new year but because that's what the world needs everyday."
"This life is yours. Take the power to choose what you want to do and do it well. Take the power to love what you want in life and love it honestly. Take the power to control your own life. No one else can do it for you. Take the power to make your life happy." ~ Susan Polis Schutz
"It's only a fun time if there's fun people..."
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