Last Saturday night, I had the opportunity to hear my extraordinary friend Teddy sing at the Star Valley Ranch Balloon Festival. The previous time I'd watched hot air balloons was several years ago and I was too young to fully enjoy the experience of getting up early in the morning just to see balloons float in the air. So having another opportunity to watch some hot air balloons, a little closer to my home, was very fun and brought back a few childhood memories that I'd completely forgotten about.
I appreciate how aware Teddy was in making sure that I had an enjoyable evening and that she's always gone out of her way to be so genuinely kind to me. It seems as though I somehow become more grateful for Teddy's friendship every year and I am very thankful for the far reaching, positive impact and influence that she's had on my life.
I've looked up to Teddy as an example of what an exceptional person should be ever since I've known her and she's always been a very tough act to follow regardless of whether she's singing or not. I appreciate the active interest she's taken in my life and how much effort Teddy's willing to put into being one of my best friends. Being able to consider Teddy as one of my best friends has certainly been much better than I ever could have imagined it would be so far in my life.
My stepgrandma e-mailed me some photos of roadrunners today that I thought I would share. I'm still hoping to see a live roadrunner, down south, one of these years...
Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions. Try not to repeat a song title. It's a lot harder than you think! Repost as "my life according to (band name)"
Pick your Artist: Paul Simon * Describe yourself: Think Too Much
How do you feel: Feelin’ Groovy *
Describe where you currently live: My Little Town
* If you could go anywhere, where would you go: Graceland
* Your favorite form of transportation: Train in the Distance * Your best friend: Mrs. Robinson
* You and your best friend are: Old Friends
* What's the weather usually like: A Hazy Shade of Winter
* Favorite time of day: Late in the Evening
* If your life was a TV show, what would it be called: I Wish You Could be Here
* What is life to you: Slip Slidin’ Away
* Your relationship: Something So Right
* Your fear: Bye, Bye Love
* What is the best advice you have to give: Learn How to Fall
* Thought for the Day: Flowers Never Bend with the Rainfall
* How I would like to die: Stranded in a Limousine
What school did you graduate from? Star Valley High School
What year did you graduate? 1999
What were your school colors? Crimson & Gold
Did you receive any special awards when you graduated? A college scholarship. Student of the Year.
Did you receive any senior class superlatives? No.
Did you cry at your graduation ceremony? No, I remember my friend Brooke Martinsen giving me a hug after it was over that I wanted to last for about 20 years though.
Who did you consider as your best friend while you were attending high school? Katie or Betsy. I was the most comfortable talking with them back then.
What "clique" did you fit in while in high school? I tried to be kind to everyone & not fit into one specific clique.
Was anyone in your graduating class pregnant or had had a baby in high school? I can’t remember for sure, but I would assume someone probably did.
Did you belong to extra-curricular activities? National Honors Society with people who excelled at being kind apparently. Basketball as well.
Has your name changed since you graduated? Nope.
Would people recognize you now from then? Most people seem too.
How has your life changed since graduation? I think for the most part it is better.
What is your happiest memory from your Senior Year? Setting the bench press record. I really didn’t think I had it in me to accomplish something like that.
What was your favorite hang-out? The gym playing basketball during the lunch hour.
What did you drive to school? I rode the bus.
Where did you work? The School store.
How far away do you live from your high school? Las Cruces, NM= 1024 miles from Afton. Thayne=15 miles from Afton. ;)
Do you plan on attending your next reunion? Yes, I really enjoy spending time with my best friends whenever it’s possible for some reason.
Where will the reunion be held? Hopefully at the Afton Civic Center again. I thought it was a good venue for it.
Who was your senior class president? Lee Crook
Were you friends with this person in high school? Yes
Who were you most looking forward to seeing at the reunion? Betsy and Kim since I came close to being able to see them last year, but unfortunately it hasn’t worked out to see them again yet.
Is there anyone you would not want to run into at the reunion? There wasn’t anybody that I intentionally went out of my way to avoid. It made me a little uncomfortable talking to people that I've never really had much in common with though.
Are you where you wanted to be in life as of this point? For the most part.
Who would you currently consider as your best friend from high school? Each of my best friends are the best in different ways so it's difficult to determine that anymore.
Yesterday my high school reunion was held at the Afton Civic Center. It was obviously very fun to see several of my friends again. I'm grateful for the additional opportunities I've had to keep in touch with some of my best friends consistently, online or in person, in recent years who mean quite a bit to me. Attempting to describe the indescribable friendship I have with some of my high school friends, who read this blog, has been a challenge but it's been enjoyable to realize how much I appreciate their friendship as I've written these blog posts so far.
I'm particularly grateful for the continual support and encouragement that my first two best friends, Betsy and Camie, have given me throughout my life. I also appreciate how much looking up to my cousin Amy, Teddy and Tara as examples has helped me since my freshman year in high school. It's been good to reflect this past week on all of the people who've had a positive influence on my life and helped me to become who I am. I could probably write a few novels on the far reaching impact several of my high school friends, and a few high school teachers, had on my life so far.
(1999 SVHS School Store photo: Thane Grover, Uncle Dahl, Nephi Lewis, Lisa Hastings Tippetts, Judd Chamberlain, Blake Beus, Jenny Facer-Wilkes, Me)
However, without any further nostalgic "Random Thoughts" from me, here are the pictures from the reunion yesterday, and recent years as well, with some wonderful people who I've somehow been lucky enough to consider as my friends over the years...
