With a new year upon us, many people are going through the yearly tradition of “new year’s” resolutions. In my short time here on this lovely earth, I have learned a valuable lesson pertaining to new year’s resolutions. Don’t make them.
I oftentimes will make a simple resolution going into each year. Last year was the exception. I wasn’t sure what to resolve to that I felt confident in achieving. The year prior I resolved no longer to drink soda. I felt like I accomplished that goal. I still enjoy the occasional soda, but for a long period of time I never touched a pop. After going months without drinking a soda, when I finally did take a sip, it tasted awful. I could taste all of the sugar, and after this period of time I felt like I achieved my realistic goal of cutting down.
As for this year, I’m not entirely sure what to make my goal. One goal I know for sure is my intention to finish my two-year degree and further my education. Another goal will be to bring a better product to our readers here at the Star Eagle. My first year as an editor has been a learning experience. I can’t say it was easy, but it was well worth it. I imagine most good things in life do not come easily.
This past year has been a road of ups and downs. The year began quite chaotically. I finished my second semester in college. I was hired as a middle school baseball coach, and I was promoted to my current job position here at the paper. All of these events happened with the same two-month period. It was quite chaotic.
After the coaching season was finished, right around the corner was umpiring season. I umpired more games this last summer than ever before. I must have umpired more games than all of the previous years combined. After it was all said and done, I asked my boss in Owatonna where I should drop off the gear I was borrowing. He said to keep it, and come back and do another great job next year. That was a pleasant surprise. With the added number of games came an added number of comments from parents. To be fair, the vast number of comments I heard from parents and fans were positive, but there were a few that erred in the other direction.
The summer absolutely flew by so fast I could barely catch my breath, as was the case during some of those 95-degree tournaments. It’s hard to imagine those temperatures this time of year. The Vikings were a disappointment this year. It’s tough to imagine they could follow up last year’s miracle with anything close, but that didn’t stop my imagination. It was tough to watch the Vikings play this year. I’m sure the team will be better next year, along with my expectations.
This past year was the year of my 21st birthday. And it was one of my better birthdays. I was able to celebrate with very close friends who helped make my day feel very special. That reminds me, this year I have met quite a few new and interesting people. I look forward, hopefully, to long-lasting and meaningful friendships.
This past month has tested my patience quite a bit. There was the scare Mom gave me when she fell and broke her foot. But then my relatives all celebrated Christmas anyway. My mom cancelled Christmas because she didn’t feel she could get everything ready. My great uncle Chuck and aunt Dayna didn’t agree. We all surprised her the day before Christmas. It was a surprise Christmas. Seeing my relatives during the holidays is my favorite time of the year and this was one of the highlights of my year.
Following one of the busiest and most interesting years of my life, I’m not sure how 2019 will fare — hopefully better than the Vikings season. With all that said, I would like to thank everyone who helped make the year of 2018 such an exciting year. And thank you, the readers, for giving me the opportunity to do the job I love.
Thought for the week: Take care when making year-long resolutions; you never know what the year has in store.