2009.

As 2009 and this decade is being drawn to an end, I guess I'd like to dwell upon the masterpiece that was 2009.

By masterpiece, I mean the year was picture perfect in how certain things closed. Consider this the Mona Lisa of life.

But also by masterpiece, I mean that when the year was bad, it was a complete mess. The Jackson Pollock of life.

There's always two sides to every story.
Two sides to every coin...My year of 2009 was no different.
I loved being able to continue to coast through High School while knowing that College was right around the corner.
I loved being able to go into TOK every other day knowing that Neek and Nellis and A wag would be there talking about sex or pop tarts, knowing that a long day of Physics and Chemistry were right after.
I loved being able to elect a Caucasian Barack O'Bama, knowing that another class elected an African American John McCain and an Asian American Ralph Nader.
I loved being able to walk into the chapter to embark on a 7 month journey, knowing that I was rejected from that very same place just 3 months earlier.
I loved being able to hang out with the best neighbor in the world, knowing that things wouldn't be the same once Summer came.
I loved being able to talk to my brother from another mother, knowing that he'd always save my ass when it comes to physics, and that no matter how long we don't talk for, that I'm always there for him, and he's always there for me.
I loved being able to not talk to my older sister as much, knowing that when ever we did talk, or get coffee, or eat, we would start right where we left off. I love you chi.
I loved being able to ask my little sis to go every where with me, and although she hardly ever accepted, knowing that I was there for her when she needed me most during camp was more than enough. I love you em.
I loved being able to graduate, knowing that I would never go back to the monotony that was high school.
I loved being able to be involved in the Red Cross club at school, putting in everything I had to make it respectable, knowing that I'd never have any kind of impact on that club ever again.
I loved being able to find out what I meant to people, knowing that I made a difference in someone's life is the most rewarding thing in this life.
I loved being able to go to the Chapter every single day of summer and chat up a storm with anyone there, knowing that my days there were limited.
I loved being able to be apart of LDC2009 Staff, knowing that I was able to change lives like the Staff of LDC2008 did for me.
I loved being able to get to know every single Staffer on a personal level, knowing that our bond would carry us through beyond camp. TEN FOLD
I loved being able to make inuendos and terrible jokes with Neek, knowing that she couldn't do anything about it but laugh.
I loved being able to go to Guppie's with everyone, knowing that catching up on old times was enough to have a great time.
I loved being able to meet Isa and JDO, knowing that once I did meet them, my life would never be the same.
I loved being able to drive to Vivian's house and get breakfast at bagel me,knowing that I'd have a long drive down Orangethorpe ahead of me.
I loved being able to have an Opening, Closing, and Yarning activity with my staff and delegates, knowing that it was my first and last camp ever to staff.
I loved being able to cry, knowing that my staff was there to hold me down.
I loved being able to facilitate RTB, knowing that Isa and Akash were there with me yet again.
I loved being able to see all the delegates grow, especially the ones I recruited, knowing that they'd become a force to be reckoned with at the chapter for years to come.
I loved getting my acceptance letter to Pacific and Arizona, and the subsequent scholarships that came along with it, knowing that my decision would effect the rest of my life.
I loved being able to room with a high school friend, knowing that without him, I'd be absolutely nowhere.
I loved being able to meet the people that I did at Pacific, knowing that with Rushing around the corner, things can only get better.
I loved being able to live in John B, knowing that only they could laugh with us as we lose ever single intermural game we play.
I loved being able to open up my gmail 3 months after camp and seeing emails from LDC2009STAFF, knowing that the feelings are still mutual with everyone. DTD09 ...nothing but love.
I loved being able to come home to a family that would feed me and take care of me, knowing that I'd have to leave them soon after.
I loved coming home to my room, knowing that it was exactly the way I left it.
I loved being able to walk into my room and see that wall of LDC stuff, knowing that every single letter and yarn from the past two years is still here with me.
I loved being able to talk to anyone in my fam about anything, knowing that they got my back no matter what.
I loved being able to close out 2009, knowing that everything I loved in 2009, will still be with me in 2010.

With everything that happened to me in 2009, I will never forget the baggage that came along with it. I became attached to many things, and I was forced to let go rather quickly.
But with the bad comes the good, and I could not have asked for much better parity as I did in 2009. My take on the roller coaster that everyone talks about.

The Mona Lisa, and Jackson Pollock.


Till next time guys,
Take Care.
-Darrel