Birthday Birthday Coming to Earth Day!

(I have a new favorite birthday song. Seriously, you will not regret listening to it. Thank you for the live a capella performance, Aly and Stacey!)

I am one year older now than I was a week ago.

I am one year different.

I hope to believe I am also one year more mature, and one year closer to my God. In my 22nd year I did a lot of things, and I'm grateful for my experiences.

As a 22 year old, I picked a major, then changed it, then changed it again, watched 4 of my best friends get married, painted a handful of commissions, pulled one all-nighter, successfully avoided swine flu (despite 2 roommates and my girlfriend having it at the same time), swam in the Pacific, built a home in Mexico, got my first B+ in college, followed by my first 4.0. I also went barefoot for 30 consecutive days, excluding 3 hours per week at church, and while standing in line at the testing center.

A glorious year.


Now that I am 23, what does the future hold? There are a few things I know for sure. I will get a job, take the MCAT, and move out of the Riviera. I will paint another handful of commissions - and if I don't sell them, I certainly don't mind keeping them - and I will continue in my quest for self-discovery.

Thanks, God, for a great year. Every breath is a gift.

Everyone, I hope you are taking a little time to stop and reconsider:

How are you doing on your New Year's Resolutions?
How is your relationship with your family? Your friends?
When's the last time you told your siblings or your parents that you love them, and appreciate them?
What are you going to do to make 2010 worth the precious time you've been given?
What are you going to do to make the world a better place?

Why not start right now?

DST 2010

[Thank you Daylight Savings Time]
{photo via}

Dear Daylight Savings Time,

Welcome back! I just wanted to say thanks. Thanks for giving me more sunlight in the afternoon hours. Also, thank you for reducing traffic fatalities. I really appreciate how well you help me stay awake as I study throughout the day. However. I have a bone to pick with you.
You messed up my sleep schedule.

Monday morning, one week ago, I awoke (without an alarm clock) at 7:00 am with creamy golden sunshine warming my face. Despite only getting 6.5 hours of sleep, I felt great, because the sunshine told me to. Monday morning, one day ago, the number of times I hit the snooze button rocketed past the single digits and into the teens. Despite getting 8 hours of sleep, I felt like the garbage inside the can I tripped over on my way to the toaster.

I know you're trying to help, but if you have any personal connections with the Sun, could you please tell him I'm really missing him in the morning time and to please come out a little earlier? Thanks. Seriously, you do a great job. And despite making everybody late for church on Sunday, I still think you're pretty great.

Sincerely,

Crave

Just Wanted to Say...

You're a better person than you think you are. It's only you that holds yourself back.

So believe in yourself. You may not see it, but everybody loves you. People talk about you when you're not around, and they're saying good things.

You might fail at things - sometimes you might even fail at something you wanted more than anything you've ever wanted in your whole life - but it's just part of life. You are still a great person, and countless people look up to you, envy you, would trade places with you in a second.

So when your family life, school life, social life, or love life seem to be following Murphy's Law, don't give up hope. You are stronger than you think you are. It's all going to turn out just fine.

Somebody told me this last night, and I really needed to hear it. So pass it on.

(photo via)

I Am Grateful for...

the freedom to ignore good advice.

old roommates.

bacon. and naps. but not at the same time.

the freedom to pick my nose even when you're looking.

fuzzy clothes.

All these things are great, but mostly I am grateful for my PARENTS, without whom I would be an unborn child and without whom I would never have survived elementary school, let alone college.

I am a lucky boy.

Oh Valentines!

Some Highlights of Valentines Past:

In 1987 I had just more than a month to scoot on into this lovely world.

In 1999 I won the Valentine's Box contest. It was a red styrofoam dragon that I stole from my mom.

In 2003 Melinda Schultz stole a kiss from me, then pulled away, licked her lips, and said "mmmm.... tasty." I almost barfed right on my parents' doorstep. Worst Valentine's Day ever.

2004, I really kissed a girl, nice and good, for my first time. It was my best Valentine's Day of my high school career.

In 2006 all I could think about was my upcoming and mission to Iowa...

... and 2007 and 2008 were devoid of any Valentines love (because of the mission);

2009 was just awkward,

and 2010 was superb. Sublime. Stupendous. Salubrious, even, thanks to Biaggi's. It had everything needed for a Valentine weekend.

beautiful dancing (thank you Swan Lake)
sumptuous dining (thank you triggerfish for sacrificing your life. you were delicious.)
spontaneous surprises (just short of a billion balloons crammed into my bedroom)

This year has reset the standard. Happy Valentine's Day!

i grew a mustache...

... but Starlee made me shave it! PLEASE comment your thoughts and vote on the poll above! This is very important to me.

Why I Want to Be a Doctor:

I have a great reverence for human life, and am amazed at those who try their hand at imitating the Creator in a very real sense. Thank you Bryce for sharing this with me. This video is truly remarkable!