2018 -- A Year in Brief

This was a pretty good year. I had some different adventures, and I overcame new challenges. Let’s take a look at what happened:

• Based on contributions I made in 2017, I received a raise at work.
• This year, I solved some interesting problems at work that people are pretty happy about.
• Throughout the year, I did a more intense weight-lifting program than I had been doing. I feel a lot stronger. Probably the highlight is that I can do several pullups with 30 lbs strapped to my waist.
• I bought a new pair of suits.
• I bought a new pair of glasses.
• I went on dates with several beautiful women. I appreciate the Single Adult Ward’s dating activity, which contributed a lot to that.
• The above also contributed to me having a better emotional health. I’m doing a lot better than I had been doing the previous year about not putting myself down all the time. I still have to work on that, and I’m still confused about other things, but I’m not constantly being negative all the time, like I was.
• I went on vacation down to St. George, and saw sights I hadn’t seen before while down there.
• Went to Lava Hot Springs for the first time.
• Went to nearby Camp Lamondi with the Single Adult Ward.
• Hiked King’s Peak for the second time.
• Went to Gen Con, the largest board game convention in the United States.
• Went to Rocky Mountain National Park.
• Went to Fort Collins Temple for the first time.
• Went on a day hike up Antelope Island for the first time in forever.
• Played a bunch of Ultimate Frisbee.
• Tried Pickle Juice flavored Slush at Sonic. It was exactly as good as you’d think it would be.
• Went to FanX Comic Convention for the first time, and I got to get my photo with David Tennant!
• I bought the visual novels for Steins;Gate.
• I hit 30,000 miles on my car, and so of course immediately one of the tires I got with the car from the dealer goes out on me. I bought four new tires, and they should actually last me a while.
• I became team lead at work.
• I bought a Nintendo Switch, and Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu! and played a little bit until I got bored.
• I got a new Niece and Nephew.
• In the movie theaters, I watched Coco, Avengers: Infinity War, Venom, My Hero Academia: Two Heroes, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
• Got some new board games: Photosynthesis, Iron Dragon, Isle of Sky, and all the remaining expansions for 7 Wonders.

Like I said, overall, it was an enjoyable year. I feel like I talked myself into and then right back out of so many things. Some of that I regret, but I’m happy about the things I convinced myself to do, and I’m happy that some of my plans worked out. I hope 2019 brings me more success.

This year, I plan on getting back into the habit of running, and I want to do better with my gospel study, particularly of the New Testament, since that is what the church is studying this year.