I'm back.
Press Resume.
THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWNNNNNNN!
Holy Hell,
Where did this year go and what happened all in these 365 days that made 2016?
I honestly don't know where to begin in terms of putting pen to paper with recording all the fun, crazy, random, and sad times that have happened these past 7 months or so.
I have moved and become and official Southern Californian.
Tank top and sun tanning lotion-the complete package.
I currently live in Redlands, California and I gotta say this place has grown on me.
Think Main Street USA in Disneyland.
It has that feel.
I have had so many great memories already living down in SoCal.
From hikes, 4th of July fireworks, beach trips, Disneyland, and many more it has been one hell of a year.
An odd one but most definitely a good one and one that I am grateful for.
I'm on the downward slope (or upward slope honestly because life gets better) towards 30.
I still look like a kid but I feel more maturity coming with each year.
Ups and Downs have made me feel just REAL and GENUINE with myself and hopefully with others.
Reflecting back on this year I really have to just say I am lucky. I get so caught up in what I don't have, how broke I feel, how much I haven't accomplished compared to others, etc.
But honestly I have already lived SUCH an amazing and good life. I don't deserve half of what I have in life.
Granted I recognize much of my choices and things I do will reflect what I have but honestly I just sit back and smile realizing that the family, friends, places I've been, and things I have done are amazing.
And I'm only 25.
Before I get all sentimental and go off on more tangents I want to reflect and put down fun and happy memories:
Off the top of my mind:
1. Disneyland with LaRee and Gary and Andre
2. Moving to California after graduating
3. Watching the 4th of July fireworks from the mountains in Pasadena in my hammock
5. All the time I get to spend with my nieces and nephews
6. Landing a bank job
7. Traveling to Phoenix to see the Boys
8. Getting drunk my first time. Stupid mistake
9. Eating my first hot Krispy Kreme Donut
10. Summer days at Miss Katie's pool with the kids
11. The Symphony at Redlands University
12. Getting a Kitten:
12. Getting a Kitten:
13. Eating Fish Tacos in Santa Barbara
14. All the effort and failure with pursuing my law enforcement career
15. Reading "A Little Life"-My new favorite book
16. My podcasts: Lore, My Favorite Murder, and Last Podcast on the Left
17. Late night talks with Rachel, Tyler, Andre etc.
18. Having Little Caesars and Wine while watching Disney movies
19. Making Key Lime Pies and Bread
20. Family Reunion in Lake Tahoe:
21. Falling In and Out of Love
20. Family Reunion in Lake Tahoe:
21. Falling In and Out of Love
22. Reminding myself that I can keep going even when I feel like I fail.
There's probably many many more that I need to jot down but that was just a quick rap sheet.
With a year ending and a new one soon beginning I like to be cliche and reflect on the things that I need to change or improve on with myself.
With 2016 I realize through people pointing it out and myself realizing it on my own, that I need to be more positive towards MYSELF and stop downing and putting myself down.
It really is bad.
I have issues. Most people do.
For some reason I have unfortunately become comfortable with taking jabs at myself left and right.
I need to stop.
For real.
I've never truly loved who I am and that is what I am going to start (and need to) for 2017.
Don't get me wrong, I am proud of who I am.
A Hansen. An American. A Gay Man. An Honest Person. An Avid Thinker. A Dreamer. Etc.
I just want to be better.
Not better in the sense of being smarter or more muscular or something vain, but truly someone of high character who is loving, kind, real, thoughtful and uplifting.
I realized at one point this past year that it doesn't matter what we have in this life or what we truly do unless we somehow CREATE.
I feel I haven't contributed anything and that may be some reason why I am unhappy with myself.
Life is a huge blank canvas and I feel that I need to do more.
It's vague sounding but I just need to be better with myself.
Confidence and ambition and health and blah blah blah.
But I love to progress and see where I was and where I am now because that is measurable and something I like.
Yesterday I was immature and annoying and cynical and so tomorrow I will do better.
Something like that.
To be specific though I am going to work on truly being at peace with things about me.
Baldness, my voice, my body, my face, my overall character.
Many more.
But I hope to do so in a good and healthy way.
To do this for fun I want to make a goal for the upcoming year.
In one years time I hope to look back on this blog and see that I will have accomplished these things I've mentioned.
In addition I hope to be,
1. Graduating from my MBA program.
2. Have a nice job lined up with a good salary
3. A new car
4. Good health
5. Maybe be in a serious healthy relationship
6. Living in Redlands or somewhere nice in SoCal
7. Built muscle and be my goal weight of 165-170
8. Have some good friends
9. Read at least 5-10 books
10. Established a career path that will be both financially rewarding and fulfilling
11. Grateful and Happy (Truly)
I know it's premature but thank you 2016 for all the things you brought and for the opportunity to see another year.
Here's to 2017 and all the great (I really believe it) things that will come and the amazing experiences that will continue to make me into a better person.
Thank you and Cheers!
