One Year Ago...

One year ago this week I left home on one of the biggest adventures I have yet had. I packed up all my belongs like I did for school five times before. But this time, I wasn't going to school. I wasn't moving only 3 hours away. I would not be taking any classes. I would not be able to go home whenever I felt like it. I was packing up and setting forth to a place over 1000 miles away. A 24 hour drive. Or a 3 hour plane ride. I was going to a place where I would officially be the farthest grandchild from home. It was scary, and exciting. One of my best friends how had moved to Florida had flown up, and we drove down together. I left on a Sunday afternoon, right after the parade for Coon Creek Days. We took a leisurely pace, taking three days to drive down.

One year ago this week, I checked in to the Disney College Program. I met five guys with whom I would live for the next six months. I also met a bunch of other people, made a lot of friends, had a lot of fun.

One year ago this week, I took Traditions, and started working for the Walt Disney World company. I started at Disney's Hollywood Studios at the Main Entrance as a Greeter. Than I received a professional internship with the College and International Programs Housing Office. And now I'm working full time back at Disney's Hollywood Studios at Toy Story Midway Mania.

One year ago this week, I started a journey that has taught me quite a bit about myself, and about life. I've learned a lot of valuable lessons. I've met some wonderful people. I found the most amazing man. I can't say I've never looked back; I've actually looked back more times than I care to admit. Even now, one year later, I still question myself on some of these decisions. I don't question the initial moving down here. But I do question the continued staying down here. But I made a commitment to myself to see where this may lead, and I want to see that through. I'm so thankful for everything that has happened, the good and the bad. From each event in the past year, I have grown as a person, and become a better man every day. It's hard to be so far away from home. Holidays especially are rough. But if this all pays off, I think it will be worth it. Pay my dues now, and get paid back later. So I will continue this path, I'll see where it goes, I'll learn from it, and I'll enjoy every minute of it! Sacrifices have to be made, but in the end, I believe, it will be totally worth it!