This is one of those years that I have a hard time believing that actually happened. The previous year was definitely just getting my feet wet for all that was to come in this year. No doubt that this year brought me the highest of highs but also the lowest lows…mind boggling to think that it all happened in one single year.

The start of 2007 came with a bang. I swapped my light and easy schedule to one that was filled with not just classes preparing me to study abroad in the Fall semester but now with a part-time job and relationships that I began to pour both time and energy into strengthening. I was a busy kid and had learned to better balance my studying with work and with maintaining a good social life. It was fun. A lot of good memories of late night hang outs with random people from the fraternity and sorority. I was putting a lot of attention towards building close friendships with guys and it was giving me a taste of what a Christian community actually looks like. The closest relationship that developed between me and Darko. We got along so well and were around each other so much that other ppl would combine our pldg names and call us ‘Dinko’ ;) Prv18:24 is the best way to describe just how close we became that spring semester and summer break. We actually worked together at CVS pharmacy- thanks to my bigbro for the reference. Working together was more like hanging out while stocking or doing cashiering. So much trash talk to say the least- but all in love. So it was the building of a family amongst me, Darko, and Suave. Closer than brothers indeed.

Not only was that summer a time of working at CVS and a first actually summer vacation that I spent much of it with my lil’bro, it was also the time when I actually started pursuing a girl towards a serious relationship. My relationship with Ping was very interesting. We did a lot together and it was fun going on the random adventures/roadtrips that we did. Fun times. But the timing was not the best. I have had the worst timing with most of my past relationships btw. I guess going off to study abroad for a year in Chile was going to make things interesting for the relationship that I had with Ping. Not only was it tough to leave her when the time came for us to part late that summer, it was even harder when things broke up suddenly about two months into my abroad semester. 

It seems like in the past, that the harder life was on me and the more shit I had to go through, the heavier the music I listened to became…rap rock, metal, punk, trash hardcore- a side of me that I had to deal with on my own as I sought understanding in all that I went through. It was my way of being able to relate with something that shared my great anger, frustration, angst, pain, and sadness that happens as you go through life and are learning about love. It just all spoke to me. Thank God I didn’t drink or smoke cuz I’m sure I would’ve gotten addicted very easily. I knew that I was not a drunk and that smoking wouldn’t do any good for me.  

Idk it was hard to go through stuff like that when being away from your closest friends. So I just kept it to myself since there was no one else that would understand or who would listen. It was actually during that time- Fall 2007- when I started blogging. Con Ganas, Huevon- a Spanish saying for ‘put some effort into it, punk’- was the first blog I created. I still kept a journal, but blogging became another outlet for me to unload and share (with the few that cared to read) what life was like for me.

Though much of the academic semester abroad was rough cuz of the different college system and teaching style, I found myself being blessed so much by finding and being welcomed into a tight community at a local church. Having other college-age ppl to be able to do things with and open up to was so vital for my overall well-being. I was relearning the lesson of needing people in my life to share with and confide in and that closing up to myself will only lead me to drowning in a downward spiral of misery. David Jachin, Mauro, Felipe, Guillermo- all brothers that kept me strong. Prayer and Fellowship. But make no mistake, that fall semester was still rough and brought with it plenty of trials. I am thankful for all of it though since it is all the pain, suffering, and scars that has helped me to get through in the end being stronger and knowing more about myself. Strength behind the scars.