2012: It Was A Very Good Year

2012 was definitely a positive experience. There's something about being 33 that is so interesting. In my studies of those who have mastered their crafts, attained success, or led interesting lives, 33 seemed to be the turning point. Even Jesus Christ began his ministry at 33, and there's something interesting to be said about that. Many of the old folks I've quizzed too said 33 was one of the best years of their lives, and if they could do it again they'd go back to that age. Funny, I always thought, why not 23? And I answered that myself well, I think.

At 33 you're still able to be physically active, but you have the maturity gained from your years. It's like having the best of both worlds and I wish it would last longer.

Looking back at 2012, I found many successes. I survived my first year of marriage terrifically.

We finally bought a new car.

I got fly fisher of the year in my fishing club.

We visited Italy.

I went back to school and maintained a 4.0 through my first semester.

I got a raise at my job.

It's so nice to look back and see some successes, especially after bouncing back from the train wreck 2009 turned out to be. I can only hope and pray that I'm passed those tumultuous moments in life and am on the right track. Somehow though, I feel like I'm on my way there.

I don't have many resolutions yet. I tend to pick ones that lead me to healthier lifestyle choices or to break a bad habit. Luckily, I've already quit smoking a few years back and a diet shed off some weight and improved my health incredibly. I'm learning new things in school, and I have no intention of ceasing to focus on the strength of my marriage.

2012 if anything was a slow year in the outdoors. Although I did a lot of what I usually do, I didn't do anything much new beyond adding power hiking to my repertoire. We're hoping to tune up 2013 with some traveling to Michigan for fly fishing, to Yellowstone to hike the park, and back through our locales to target carp and smallmouth bass. We are also planning some hikes at Big South Fork, and a return to the Great Smokey Mountains to hit up some more back-country trails. All in all, 2013 is lining up to be a good year. I hope the momentum we've built up can continue forward, God willing.

The blog will be morphing a little bit too. I've decided to add some of my recipes in here, and my wife is going to do some guest posting too. I hope to build this into something we can share with our family down the road, and make some new friends too which has been a big benefit of being out in the "cyber world." 

I also wanted to thank everyone for reading my posts and the warm and encouraging comments you've left. I also want to thank you for your blogs too, which have enabled me to learn so much more about what's out there and the spice that makes up life in the ways of nature and variety. I hope you had a good 2012 too, and that your 2013 will shape up to be an even better one as well.

Thanks for reading,

Josh Rust