2011 has definitely been the most trying year of my life, but it still has been an awesome year. I am so blessed. The first 5.5 months, I spent in Shanghai--I had an amazing time there, but I notice that I really didn't say much about my time there. So for all of my friends in Shanghai, please don't take it personal. And I guess, some are not really moments...but things that happened over a longer time.
(from last year)
20. Cardinals win the World Series!!!
20. Cardinals win the World Series!!!
Ever since I was little, baseball was my sport, and the Cardinals were my team. This year, they squeaked into the playoffs after a historic (as in, the biggest ever) comeback. They were underdogs in their three postseason series, but won them all. And had one of the greatest games in baseball history (Game 6 of the World Series). Was all amazing.
19. Watching Sports:
Living overseas, I have missed so much of my family's life. I was actually really wanting to come home for my brother's senior season, guess that wish came true, just not how I had planned. It is also always good to see my nephew play. And to see my niece getting into sports is fun. I know that these moments are important to growing up--glad I was here for part of it. Going to a Cardinals' game is something I have done every year, except last year, so it was good to get back into the tradition. They lost the only game that I went to, but it was good to see Pujols one last time as a Cardinal.
Living overseas, I have missed so much of my family's life. I was actually really wanting to come home for my brother's senior season, guess that wish came true, just not how I had planned. It is also always good to see my nephew play. And to see my niece getting into sports is fun. I know that these moments are important to growing up--glad I was here for part of it. Going to a Cardinals' game is something I have done every year, except last year, so it was good to get back into the tradition. They lost the only game that I went to, but it was good to see Pujols one last time as a Cardinal.
18. Chiefs beat Packers! Not a great season, but a great game:
So about every Sunday during football season we go to my sister's place in Arkansas. Two big screens and a projector make for good football watching. Our (dad, me, and April) favorite team is the KC Chiefs. This year has not went exactly as planned as we have a losing record, but we did have a major win over the Green Bay Packers. It is really only relevant because the Packers were undefeated...until we beat them!
17. Weekend in St. Louis: Getting MBIA Courage Award, seeing Alisha's baby, going to Anita's dinner party:
So this year has been dominated by my brain injury and all the effects of that. Missouri has it's Brain Injury Association convention once a year. This year, they gave me the Courage Award because I have maintained a positive attitude (not always in my blog, I know) and have tried to use my experience to help people. Also, while in St. Louis for the convention, I was able to swing by my friend's, Alisha, place and see her new baby. So cute. Also got to see her sis, and my close friend, Jessica. This whole experience with the injury has brought me back into touch with my friend, Anita. Anita was one of my best friends in and after college before we grew apart the past couple of years. She is a doctor now and I happened to have my surgery at that hospital so she was able to come and visit a few times. Anyway, during that weekend in St. Louis, she had a dinner party (with mostly other doctors). She cooked some awesome lasagna and dessert...and we all watched the Cards win Game 2 of the World Series.
16. Rehab: Working with fun therapists, talking to other patients, listening to audio books:
I fought against going to rehab before being talked into it. Thank God that I did decide to go. In those 3 weeks, I improved so, so much. I went from being in a wheelchair to walking, from not being able to even watch TV or get on computer because my eyes were so bad to being able to read again. I met Charity, John, Shawn, Larissa, and Amy: my awesome therapists. They were all really fun and helpful. I hope I will stay friends with them for a long time. Also, met some other patients that I was able to share my experience with. And at first, because I wasn't able to watch TV or get on computer, I was so bored in the evenings, luckily my sister and one of the therapists both got me some audio books. Most of my evenings were spent listening to them.
15. Volunteering and speaking at Brain Injury Awareness 5K:
Two of my therapists helped organize a 5K run to raise some money and awareness for brain injuries. They asked me if I would be interested in helping out. I helped people get ready to run, encourage them as they ran, and I gave a speech. For a former Public Speaking instructor, it was not really that impressive, but it was good to get back involved in a positive way with the community. We doubled the amount of money they raises last year. Who knows how much we will raise next year. A goal of mine is to be able to run it next year!
14. Having Mom and Dad come to China: And all the other support from the family--in the St. Louis hospital, at Rehab, and at home:
If you ever want to see if your family loves you, fall off a balcony. Ok, don't really. But man, did my family ever come through for me. My parents came to take care of me in China. My sisters and brother have done so much for me. And, of course, my nieces and nephew have been great too. It was kind of funny to see my parents learn to adapt to China because we come from a small town of about 1000, but Shanghai is close to 20 million people. That is a little bigger. :) Also, thanks for all the people who visited me in the Shanghai hospital, St. Louis hospital, Rehab, or at home.
If you ever want to see if your family loves you, fall off a balcony. Ok, don't really. But man, did my family ever come through for me. My parents came to take care of me in China. My sisters and brother have done so much for me. And, of course, my nieces and nephew have been great too. It was kind of funny to see my parents learn to adapt to China because we come from a small town of about 1000, but Shanghai is close to 20 million people. That is a little bigger. :) Also, thanks for all the people who visited me in the Shanghai hospital, St. Louis hospital, Rehab, or at home.
13. Playing board games, cards, Wii, and karaoke with the family:
My family is a big game playing family. Scrabble Take 1, Zero, 5 Second Game, Cranium, Apples 2 Apples, Canasta...they are all part of the arsenal. Though we can be a bit competitive, they are usually hilarious. And my niece got a karaoke machine for Christmas so we have been rocking that. On the Wii, bowling, Big Brain Academy, and the dancing game are my favorite.
My family is a big game playing family. Scrabble Take 1, Zero, 5 Second Game, Cranium, Apples 2 Apples, Canasta...they are all part of the arsenal. Though we can be a bit competitive, they are usually hilarious. And my niece got a karaoke machine for Christmas so we have been rocking that. On the Wii, bowling, Big Brain Academy, and the dancing game are my favorite.
12. Getting back to the U.S.--being surprised by people at the airport:
Both my sisters and their significant others, my brother, my nieces, my Uncle Jeff and his kids were all at the airport in Kansas City waiting for us as we got off the plane. I have a song that I wrote that is talking about the best feelings in the world and one of them was "Finally coming home after too long away." Coming home is always exciting for me. It's just a good feeling to know that you are going back to your home and family.
11. Surprise Welcome Back party:
My family and some close friends had a surprise for me the evening that I got home. They said that my nieces were doing something at the church and wanted me to come. When I walked in, everyone was there to surprise me. I was so excited to see everyone. Thanks everybody.
8. Getting back into church: including Youth, Friday Night C.P.R., and Freedom House.
One of the things that I regret the most is that I never really found a church family in Shanghai--my own fault. When I was injured, the church helped pay for my parents to come and take care of me...and that was a church that my parents had just started going to and I had never even been to. That kind of compassion is one of the things that draws me to the church. Beyond the normal Sunday (morning and evening) and Wednesday services, we also have Youth on Tuesday night and C.P.R. on Friday night. C.P.R. stands for Community Prayer Room; we do a lot of worship (through song) and prayer. Freedom House is not directly from my church; it is actually a couple of members that organized it. It is an African school and orphanage that rescues girls from the slave trade...mostly the sex slave trade. If you were like to know more or sponsor a child, check them out on facebook (or ask me). The URL is http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002775057228
My family and some close friends had a surprise for me the evening that I got home. They said that my nieces were doing something at the church and wanted me to come. When I walked in, everyone was there to surprise me. I was so excited to see everyone. Thanks everybody.
10. Birthday party with family and friends:
It was pretty small, but it was a nice birthday party. My old boss/coach/friend, Tom, had a birthday barbecue for me. His kids and family, as well as mine, and a couple other folks were all that was there, but we had a good time. Hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill, birthday cake, some pool playing, and then Men vs. Women in Outburst (its not important who won). Turned 29 this year, almost the big 3-0.
It was pretty small, but it was a nice birthday party. My old boss/coach/friend, Tom, had a birthday barbecue for me. His kids and family, as well as mine, and a couple other folks were all that was there, but we had a good time. Hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill, birthday cake, some pool playing, and then Men vs. Women in Outburst (its not important who won). Turned 29 this year, almost the big 3-0.
9. Benefit Auction where I got to see a lot of old friends
As you can see, friends and family played a huge part of this past year (they always do, but maybe even more this year). To help pay for some of the medical bills and other things, my friends organized a benefit auction for me. It was the day after I got back from rehab so it was good opportunity for me to see people. Thanks to Heather, Heather, Sam, Michael, Scottie, and anyone else who helped organize it. Anyway, they had a silent auction with some good stuff, food, and even auctioned off some pies. It really helped out.
As you can see, friends and family played a huge part of this past year (they always do, but maybe even more this year). To help pay for some of the medical bills and other things, my friends organized a benefit auction for me. It was the day after I got back from rehab so it was good opportunity for me to see people. Thanks to Heather, Heather, Sam, Michael, Scottie, and anyone else who helped organize it. Anyway, they had a silent auction with some good stuff, food, and even auctioned off some pies. It really helped out.
8. Getting back into church: including Youth, Friday Night C.P.R., and Freedom House.
One of the things that I regret the most is that I never really found a church family in Shanghai--my own fault. When I was injured, the church helped pay for my parents to come and take care of me...and that was a church that my parents had just started going to and I had never even been to. That kind of compassion is one of the things that draws me to the church. Beyond the normal Sunday (morning and evening) and Wednesday services, we also have Youth on Tuesday night and C.P.R. on Friday night. C.P.R. stands for Community Prayer Room; we do a lot of worship (through song) and prayer. Freedom House is not directly from my church; it is actually a couple of members that organized it. It is an African school and orphanage that rescues girls from the slave trade...mostly the sex slave trade. If you were like to know more or sponsor a child, check them out on facebook (or ask me). The URL is http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002775057228
7. New Firsts:
Or should I say the firsts since the accident. I think some of the highlights for me were: 1. The first jump-I was at a church event on Halloween, and we were doing a song that says we are going to "Jump in the river" and there is an action (jumping) that goes with it...I decided to try jumping; I did it! I had tried earlier after the accident and couldn't do it so it was a big excitement for me. 2. The first jog-This actually came before the jump, but not much. I was at the local YMCA. I went to the basketball court and jogged across it. It was uncoordinated and imbalanced, but after more than 6 months, I was able to jog. 3. The first time playing racquetball: Okay, so I am still really bad playing, with my vision trouble (the lack of depth perception mostly in this case) and balance issues, but I am able to play. I go to the YMCA one or two times a week with my brother and brother-in-law and get some exercise. We have a good time and burn a few calories. I have gone from being in a coma TO not being able to sit up TO being in a wheelchair TO walking with a cane TO walking normal TO jogging TO playing racquetball--it is pretty amazing to see the progress.
6. Thanksgiving football
I have been abroad for the past two Thanksgivings so it was nice to be back for this one. Football, Family, and Food--how can you beat that? The whole Jennings gang--around 100 folks-get together for the festivities. The guys always play a game of football before dinner; I was all-time quarterback because I am not that good at running or catching quite yet, but I can throw just fine. Then we eat; then we usually grab the guitars and jam for a bit. Probably my favorite holiday.
5. Being home for Christmas
Like Thanksgiving, I have been gone for the past two. Christmas just means more when surrounded by family. I think everyone here, especially me, have an increased appreciation for family now. We opened presents, then went to church, then came home for lunch, finally my college roommate and his sister came over to play some board games. It was just perfect.
4. 10 year class reunion:
Wow, time flies. The reunion was in two parts: a picnic during the day and at the bar at night. The picnic was nothing too exciting, but good. We talked and watched the kids play. Why are so many people my age married with kids??? Guess I am getting old. That night at the bar (no, I didn't drink), we had a good time enjoying each other's company and listening to the band. I was the name tag maker; somehow few people actually ended up with their name on their tag. I put on a lot of silly nicknames. Anyway, we had a good time, and it was great to see everyone again. Hopefully, it is not another 10 years before I see some of them again.
3. Taking voice and guitar lessons:
Music has always been an escape for me. When I am singing or playing guitar (not that I am that great), I forget about my accident, which will all the effects I still have is not that often. So I signed up for a class at the local college and took some guitar lessons. Nothing too serious going on, but just having a good time.
Music has always been an escape for me. When I am singing or playing guitar (not that I am that great), I forget about my accident, which will all the effects I still have is not that often. So I signed up for a class at the local college and took some guitar lessons. Nothing too serious going on, but just having a good time.
2. Romantic vacation with Tania in Thailand
We went on a short vacation together in China before, but had never left the country or done major traveling together before. We met up in Bangkok and had quite the time. We explored that crazy city first--seen some sights and got massages--then we went to a smaller city to see some temples and go bike riding, after that, we went down south to the beach on Koh Phi Phi island. We had an amazing time, being together and not worrying about work. And we even got to spend Valentine's Day there.
1. Seeing the Angkor Wat temples in Cambodia
No comments:
Post a Comment