2006, Year of The Nick's

It's December 11th, and I'm at the start of my very last week of my first semester in Grad school. It has been a whirlwind of a semester, filled with tears, frustration, faith, laughter, plenty of love, kindness, tolerance, and perseverance.

I am looking forward to going back to Phoenix for Christmas to see family. I look forward to having a "real job" to feel occupationally equal with my brothers. I look forward to the contrast my surroundings will offer me as I head back to where I once was to truly understand how far I've come. I know it's a bit existential, but I truly look forward to enjoying my scholastic break with April and the rest of my family.

Nearly a year ago, I made a toast with two other like-named friends: Here's to 2006, the year of the Nicks. It was meant as a toast to celebrate events not yet unveiled; to foster relationships recently blossomed. I believe that the Nick's have met the expectation of that coming year. Now, as we stare down the barrel of 2007, ready to be shot into possibility, we've rotated scenarios. Before, my personal life was just taking off, Z was about to start embark upon a new city to find a job unknown that would open many doors for him, and Marcotte was finishing up undergrad, ready for life's possibilities; now, I have just started the job and school with possibilities unknown, Z is looking at grad school, and Marcotte is preparing his personal life for launch. To each of them I say simply, "enjoy the ride". Don't forget how far you've come when you're feeling down, and don't forget to look forward to avoid complacency.