"Gone are the birds that were our summer guests." ~ Longfellow

Posted by Brandon Lagao | Posted in | Posted on 9/14/2009 01:11:00 PM

The end of Summer always hurts my heart a little bit. I know I live in SoCal and the change of seasons aren't that drastic, but its more the shift in a mindset that gets me. Less spontaneity, less beach, less time, less activity, less daylight. I also read in a magazine once that light has a direct effect on one's happiness...meaning less daylight = more depression. (sidenote: I just spent 5 mins deciding between effect vs. affect. I either need to take a grammar class or go to counseling, haha) For the past year or so, i've been generally happy all the time, so i'm confident that the depression thing won't hit me this Fall. But anyways, my point is that Autumn and Winter suck.

I can sit here and list all the negatives about no Summer in my life, but I do have lots of stuff to look forward too and I guess that's the reason for this post. Here is a short list:

1. Football is back.
2. Snowboarding trips will be bountiful.
3. Trip to Argentina in December/January.
4. I get to wear hoodies again.
5. My first tattoo (only 10 more lbs to go until I hit my goal weight)
6. Less distraction means more time to get down to business.

It's been some time since I was blogging consistently and I think that mostly had to do with Summer. Seriously though, most of my posts would've sounded like this: "I went to the beach today and had a blast with my awesome friends. Then tonight we all went out and danced our hearts out." You could also throw some stuff in there about Golfing, Palm Desert, working out, surfing, all my friends getting married, my love life, and getting reconnected with God and at Church. That should pretty much sum up everything.

And if I was to go into detail, I guess I would talk a little bit about how life is going currently. Well, let's see...as most of my friends know I went to the Philippines for a month. I can honestly say my outlook on life is a little different since then. I've learned how to always be up for anything, that living without fear is the only way to live, that God's plan for me is so much better than what I could ever come up with, and how to say "Yes" more than "No". My life has improved, no doubt. I haven't kept in great touch with my Dad since, but I don't see anything wrong with that. We actually have a relationship now, which is a plus, and i'm not ashamed of him, which is another plus. I think the trip helped me to get past all the hurt of not growing up with my Dad and to learn to appreciate what I already have (which is much more than I deserve). How I see it is that I'm going to be an amazing Dad someday and my testimony is just a little different from others. I plan on visiting the Philippines again next year.

What else? Well, I've lost a total of 40lbs. It's so sad to me that I was heavy enough to ever be able to lose that much, but it is what it is. I still have a long way to go, but i'm so active with the gym, Soccer on mondays in OC (yes, i'm here right now), basketball, training for a triathlon, football with Cam and Rob, and even surfing, golfing, and yoga, that I should hit my goals within no time and then make new goals!

I've also been living in San Diego since my trip, even though at times it doesn't seem like it. I've literally only had a chance to spend 2 weekends there since I got back, due to travel and other Summer plans. I love it though. I know there is a purpose for me being there and it's been awesome to see the way things have unfolded. The best part is that my network has really expanded since moving back. I get to spend much more time with my SD friends and I haven't lost touch with any of my OC friends. I've also learned to be comfortable with wherever I am. I've never been the guy to couch surf. I like my own shower, my own bathroom, my own bed. But i've never spent so much time away from "Home" as I did this summer. It has forced me to become more flexible, to meet new people, and to be more active.

And lastly, a lot of awesome new things are in store for my future. My biggest decision as of late is that I've decided to get my teaching credentials to become an elementary school teacher. Not many people know that I've battled with this decision off and on for about 9 years now. I just couldn't fight it anymore. I always knew I would end up a teacher at some point. I just thought it would be when I was older and after I was already a millionaire with a successful business. I've realized I kind of had it backwards. I know I can not only teach, but also successfully run my financial consulting, SEO consulting, and web marketing business simultaneously. It also is a step in the right direction towards something else that i've wanted to do which is coach HS football, pop warner, or little league. It's honestly a really exciting time in my life and I can't wait for everything to come together. And I can't complain about having all of Summer off. It's pretty much a perfect career choice for me :)

There is tons more going on. but that's all I got for now. I look forward to blogging more consistently now that Summer is gone.

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