I wonder what actually qualifies as a big life decision.  Something that dramatically changes or effects the course of ones life maybe?  At this age, or stage in life, I feel like they come at you at every turn.  But maybe that is just how it comes off to someone who hasn’t made a lot of big life decisions.  Its interesting to read books and watch movies based on being this age or in this stage of life, at whatever age it comes to you.   These types of media give you a perspective on how ultimately important your “big life decisions” really are.  It can almost be comical to watch others deal with there issues.  There’s something external that brings you down to earth and gives you perspective, when watching it on television or reading about it in a book.  The hard part comes when you have to siphon out the comical aspects from the serious in your own big life decisions, and honestly weigh them for what they really are.  How big of an effect is it going to have on you?  Can you still what you want to do?  What do you really want to do… Thinking about these big life decisions is a lot like climbing a tree.  You have an end goal,  but by the time your half way there, your hands are worn, your legs are tired and you’re not really sure why you decided to try it in the first place.  As you think about this you come to a split on the tree trunk.  One branch looks sturdy but extends out horizontal, while the other branch continues up, doesn’t look quite as sturdy, but in going vertical seems to get you closer to your end goal. Which branch would you choose?  Think quick cause I’m stuck up in this tree and can only pick one.   

Its amazing how beautiful Lake Michigan and Wisconsin can be!

Every trip you take, you learn from. This trip was no exception with terrible luck driving through some of the worst weather imaginable, the best luck sailing in the tropical Gulf Keys of Florida, and staying with some very interesting people with a lot of life experience.The trip began with sweaty palms and white knuckles anticipating the unseasonal blizzard raging through the south central United States right in the path of our loaded down suburban carrying one boat and towing another. Although we decided to take a longer route to avoid the brunt of the storm we ended up with a blinding 4 inches of snow in northern Tennessee where we were forced to stop for the night. After a light dinner at the Waffle House… we headed to bed. The next morning did not prove to be much better, but we inched our way passed the over turned semis and abandoned cars until we were far enough south to finally reach air temperature in the 40s and clear roads.Finally arriving in Sarasota, after loosing 2 hours in time zones and day light savings we found the house we were staying with minor difficulty. Over the next couple of days we found out that driving through the snow was the least of our worries as we dragged our boats over the beach and out to train with gold medalist Alison Jolly. Being a college sailing coach, she really knew how to work you, although we were completely out of shape, but she was always friendly making sure everyone had a good time.The regatta followed three days of on the water training, practice, and on land tuning. With 11 boats on the starting line we made a meager nationals fleet, but the competition was high with young athletic college sailors against some the most experienced 470 sailors around. The first day was perfect with a beautiful ten knot breeze allowing for a solid 3 race first day out in the open water of the Gulf. The next two days were a little more challenging with fluky winds on day 2 and gusts to 24 on the 3rd day. Although Doug and I personally met our goals for the regatta we were not without mishap capsizing in the last race forcing us to concede our solid 4th place for 5th to the strong husband and wife team from Houston.The drive back is hardly worth mentioning except that we managed to drive straight allowing the rest of the crew to get to work on Monday morning. Overall I learned a lot more than sailing on this trip. I was constantly reminded that I am still young and a lot can happen in a short amount of time. It’s amazing what traveling can do for you.

There’s just something about being young

I think it comes from your big sister

And your little brother

It feels like waving at someone you know

In a distant window

On an icy morning

But the longer you wave

You realize you don’t know them at all

And before you know it

You’re up against the frosted glass

With the shutters slammed

I’m sure it must feel the same way

As you walk home with your little brother

To read post cards from your big sister

Each letter as colorful as the one before

Your brother gazes hopelessly

As the panoramic colors reflect his gray sweater.

There really is something about being young,

The limitless sense of time and space

Like the sand on an island beach

Something that seems so far off

As you, the only child,

Look through a narrow window

The frost giving just a glimpse

Out to the icy morning

Your little brother looking over your shoulder

At your older sister

Driving into the distance