Happy New Year 2021

2020 - I am so glad you are done and over! Here's hoping to a better 2020. My first recollection of the year started on February 20; this was the day that my mom passed away. She sure did miss a crazy up and down year!  Then, in mid-March, the world seemed to completely fall apart with Covid 19 - or as our President likes to call it - The China Virus. This has taken up most of most of our everyday worries in most of our lives. Will we or our families catch it; will it affect our work, or livelihood, the states we live in. There are many yes's in that one question for many people. Myself and my immediate family, we have been spared much of this. We have kept healthy here in Hawaii; I have been working at home almost exclusively and that's sure to continue at least through the first quarter of 2021. Only within the past couple months have I been going into my office on Hickam once a week. Since March 20th, I have been in my office a total of 13 times!!

Though this has been a crazy year, there have been some upsides to the year as well. I'm excelling in my position with Encore, we have been spending more time as a family, I have made two trips to Michigan, and I've continued working on my running along with a few other projects that I have in the works for 2021.Even had a couple dates with my sweetheart - we got off the island for an 8 hour deep sea fishing trip; though we only caught one, it was a tasty fish afterwards!

All of the runs that I have ran this year have been virtual, but challenging none the less. Most of them have been larger miles that I have completed over the month. Two that come to mind was Miles for Memphis, a 50 mile run for charity, and a Vietnam Memorial Run, 58 miles representing the memory of the 58,000 names on the Vietnam Wall, and a Social Distancing 5K that Avery and I completed in July out on Ford Island. In addition, I ran just shy of 400 miles throughout the year. I have to say; one of my greatest mentors these past couple years, my final deployed commander, Lt Col Kellie Courtland - she has been an amazing motivation for me to continue to run this past year.  December was tough for me as I was battling a sore ankle most of the month and there were times I didn't know that I'd finish the 58 miles for the Vietnam Remembrance Run; thank you Kellie!  Thank you for continuing to support and push me!  On to more runs with you in 2021, even if only virtual for awhile longer!  We'll get one in together when the world is finally right again!  I appreciate you! 

I've always stated, I don't do resolutions. I do have goals, but I don't specifically resonate with a New Year’s resolution. I have always strived to get to 1,000 miles running and yet I have never gotten there - so that is one that continues to allude me!  But this year, I am going to work towards my journey towards 1,000 miles and I'll blog on that journey as I go. The catch, I am going to count all of my miles towards my goal - walking, running, hiking, all of it!  Avery and I have a goal of hiking out to specific sites on Oahu - I'll write more along with our photos once we finish. I'll give you a hint as I don't feel it will take us too long - there are only 6 of these "structures" on the island of Oahu!  One of them has two trails to get there, so it will be 7 separate "hikes."  We are excited to share this experience once that journey is completed!!

A couple other things up my sleeve this year is to work more on my specialized wood working - more to come on that at some point, you'll love it as its going to be a one of a kind type of product!! This year, I'd also like to take my hobby of photography to the next level. I'm soon going to offer anyone I know who is here on Oahu or anyone who's visiting and wants photos taken, the opportunity for a FREE session with edited photos to be delivered afterwards. There are so many great photo locations here on Oahu; why not capitalize on it!  This will give those who wish to have some great photo memories, and me the chance to better my craft, and build my portfolio. More to come on this soon as well!!! Just gotta make the time to get these "hobbies" up and off the ground!

I plan on spending more time with my family, but also to get away for a bit as well!  Work wise, it looks like the only trip that may be a possibility in 2021 will be to the island of Okinawa, Japan. I would like to set off and travel for my personal sanity as well - maybe a trip to Vegas to sit on the craps tables, a trip to Washington to visit a good friend of mine, and Michigan is always on the table for a great trip! As a family, we'd like to get out and explore more within the Hawaiian island chain - potentially a trip to Maui for a whale watching tour may be just what we need this winter!

The one thing that I most certainly miss......my mom ALWAYS made it a point to call me, no matter where I was, no matter what time it was where I was at - all to wish me a Happy New Year.  It was typically only a couple minute phone call and she'd leave it with "I'll be sleeping when it's midnight there." I would always make it a point to wake her back up at the turn of my New Year!  I know you're out there somewhere mom, Happy New Year!  Love you......

Here's my hope; I hope 2021 is a much better year than 2020 has been. I hope that my family and I continue to be healthy and happy. I hope to be able to network with old friends that are still in the military and help with their upcoming transition. I am also looking to switch up schools and really work towards my master’s degree as well; as much as I'm not looking forward to that, I know I need to continue working that aspect. I hope that we continue making life better for POL troops at the bases we have around the Pacific. My hope is that you have some gratitude from this past year; though we can't completely write off 2020, my hope is that you found some good in 2020 somewhere, anywhere and are able to carry it into the New Year. As the sun sets on 2020, I truly hope you, my friends, my family, have safe, successful, and healthy days ahead. We are a resilient bunch- we'll keep moving down the road into 2021! 

 HAPPY 2021 EVERYONE!