My Uncle sent me this poem, it's a good one I think

Comes The Dawn

Veronica A. Shoffstall

After a while you learn the subtle difference
Between holding a hand and chaining a soul,
And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning
And company doesn’t mean security,
And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts
And presents aren’t promises,
And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head up and your eyes open
With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child,
And you learn to build all your roads on today,
Because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans,
And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.
After a while you learn
That even sunshine burns if you get too much.
So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul,
Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure...
That you really are strong,
And you really do have worth.
And you learn and learn...
With every goodbye you learn.

What A Long Strange Trip It's Been

This will be my first blog ever. No idea if anyone will even read this rubbish, but thats okay by me. I'd like to hand out credit to my brethren in Reno, Kyle for giving me the inspiration to start one of these. Guess it's more like a journal if anything. 


So my name is Josh, I'm 25 years of age, originally from a nice and quiet sometimes busy town called Branford, CT. I'm a genuine man; sweet, loving, bright, but sometimes boring. I love to adventure, I wish to see so many places, and have been fortunate enough to travel a lot these last 4 years. I've been told I can be like an old man at times, but I am happy being me. 


The last year has certainly been up and down for me, things change pretty often, and I'm not sure if they'll ever slow to the pace I would prefer. 


The year 2010 started off wonderfully for me, I was working for my family's company, raking in money, spending time with wonderful friends, and I met an amazing woman. Life seemed pretty great for awhile there, but it was too good to be true. I was offered a job with the Department of Plant Pathology and Ecology here in New Haven, but things hadn't panned out how I had wished with previous work or with Branford in general. So I turned down the offer. I have always loved to travel and strongly desired to seek out a new endeavor. I applied for several jobs in Hawaii, got one, and bought a one way ticket to the Big Island. About 8 days before I was to depart I was offered a camp position in La Jolla, CA. The pay was modest but it sounded like a great position. So instead of heading to the Big Island on my layover, I stayed in LA and headed up to Fresno, CA for a 2 week training where I met some of the most amazing people I have ever encountered. After the 2 weeks, we headed down to Sunny San Diego. I worked all summer for the Camp which specializes in educating and counseling obese youth. I loved it, and I loved most of the kids. I was a Sports Instructor as well as a regular Counselor. I learned a lot about myself last summer, learned that I truly can be a great leader, and when I speak, people listen. I learned a lot about people too, learned a lot about nutrition, as well as a little bit more about kids. I also learned that absence makes the heart grow fonder, as I truly began to miss people, despite having an amazing support system from my co-counselors. 


Overall, the 2010 summer was pretty amazing; I saw Giant Sequoias' at the Natl. Park, climbed a top this cliff that overlooked snowcapped mountains and a deep valley below, got to visit Yosemite with 9 of my co-counselors and see the most beautiful sites my eyes have ever seen, left my cell phone on the roof of bri's truck before we left, saw a woman fall asleep on a bicycle, ate great mexican & the best sushi I've ever had, went to Disneyland(eh), got nights off with all my favorite people, went to the beach every few days, got to surf whenever, played sports every day, went to a few great concerts, ate way too healthy, got to teach and educate the youth, laughed a lot, and all the while I was making a significant and positive impact on many kids lives. It was quite rewarding to say the least. 


When camp ended I was quite sad, I didn't want to say goodbye to Brian and Holly on that last day, I love them and they are incredible human beings, but fortunately it wouldn't be long before we saw each-other again. I returned home for 8 days before heading back to Cali, it was my home now and I wanted to be there. Along my way back, I visited many friends; Melissa in PA, Holly and Lewis in Chicago, hung out in Colorado for 3 days (gorgeous place, and such friendly people), then went to Reno and Tahoe to my buddy Kyle's and my buddy Brian's. We had a blast, went out on the town, laughed like crazy, went to the Lake, danced with gorgeous women at a Dubstep club, ate awful awfuls, and really enjoyed our time together. When I got back to San Diego I stayed with great friends Nicole and Benn for 2 weeks in Pacific Beach, and found a place right next door to them. I moved in with some awesome folks and it was quite pleasant. Every where I went it seemed as though women were way too friendly towards me. I was going out on random dates with all kinds, but none of them tickled my fancy. I got sad, and on a Friday I realized how much I missed and loved the one who got away. As fate would have it, I got a phone call the very next day, which sort of began to alter my life a little. It was from that same someone who I missed so very much. It seemed wild at the time, as though I were dreaming. 


The first week I was back I had attained a position with an enrichment program teaching Science to Elementary kids, and I also worked as a Sports & Rec. Supervisor at another School. Loved the Sports and Rec. job, but never again do I wish to be an Elementary School teacher. Kids outside=Fun, Kids inside=Stress and Aggravation. 


My brother Eric moved out to SD in October , so that was great because we got to actually spend time together for the first time in years. I missed him, and he's a great brother, so I enjoyed having him around. I had a few friends, but mostly all women(all awesome) but I started to miss my buds at home. Guys need guys to be around sometimes no? So thank goodness for my friend Benn and my brother, my room mate Vinnie too.


During Thanksgiving I flew to Chicago to celebrate the holiday with Brian, Holly, and Lew. It was a joyous time; We laughed lots, went to the Shedd Aquarium, got chubby on amazing food, went Ice Skating in Millennium Park, Bri and I ran along Lake Michigan in some very cold weather, and all in all it was a great time. 


As the weeks passed I kept in contact with my friend back here in CT, and it was actually great. I was really able to keep motivated by talking to her often, and it gave me a big reason to miss home. If I had a bad day, talking to her made me forget all about it, it was nice to have someone who loved me and cared about me call every day. She reminded me that I'm an important person, and worthy of wonderful things. For awhile there it was as if she were my Angel. Felt real, a little scary sometimes, but real. I'm a romantic man, a King at it, and I deserve a Queen. I want to see the world, and with her is whom I want to do it with.


As time passed, and I came home for the holidays, I realized how much I love my friends and how much I missed them. Being home was sensational, I was on top of the world. When I returned to San Diego in January I felt that I needed a change. I was lonely, missed my friends, my family, my girl, even my cat. PB was not the scene for me, it's like spring break when you go out, and I wasn't happy with that. So I gave my notices at work, my house, and made the bold decision to return back east. I was actually pretty excited, I had this vision of how things were going to unfold and it seemed perfect.


A week before I left my plans and excitement for being home altered a bit, and now I find myself a little lost and confused. I am back on the East Coast, and planning to stay for at least a month, as I'm not sure this is truly the best place for me right now. I'm returning to school in the Fall, so I think I should be away until then. 


I have applied for work abroad in South America and am hoping to be accepted within the coming weeks. If not, I may head to Hawaii, as I originally planned, to work on a friends farm. I'm applying for all kinds of positions, all over, even here. So where I end up is unknown. I believe that after a storm there must be a calm, even if only for a bit. I'm hoping to approach my own calm soon.