Hey Bry, I know you are feeling down and frankly quite lost, so I made this blog post just for you!
This is one of your favorite songs by one of your favorite bands.
Hit play and scroll on down if you want to feel better.
As The Killers say, remember you are only Human.
You have made some big changes this year. Let's review what has happened in only these past twelve months.
*Your boss, who had been a close friend for six years, moved away.
*His replacement relied on you heavily for help, which made you feel needed and better about the changes right up until they denied you the raise you worked hard for and were promised by your previous boss.
*You accepted a teaching position at Xi'an International Polytechnic Institute because, silly you, you thought the school would be in Xi'an- the city in China where you did your study abroad and therefore everyone you knew in China ALL lived in.
*Your husband found out that he was not being rehired for the next school year. They told him too late in the year for him to apply for the local Masters in Math Education program.
*You took on a second part-time job, as a waitress, to save money for your move to China. Thus began a solid five weeks of working 50+ hours per week, 7 days straight with no break.
*You decided to begin an online graduate school program to work on while living in China so you can learn to teach English as a Second Language while actually teaching English as a second language.
*You had to say goodbye to all your coworkers at The Depot when the school year ended, and began working full-time as a waitress at Alice's Steak and Sushi in order to make up for the loss of the first job.
*You got your husband an accounting job at the Casino you worked for when his school year ended. He hated the job, but loved working alongside you.
*Your little sister moved out and moved back in with your parents. Your twin sister's boyfriend replaced your little sister as a roommate.
*You saved up money for not only your plane tickets to China, but also for the surprise 30th birthday bash for your husband. The party went off without a hitch. It was the biggest and best birthday of his life- except you forgot the money at home and had to put everything on your credit card.
*You kissed your husband goodbye, and sent him to work, knowing that you would not see him again for several months- and left for China later that day.
*You arrived in China, and found out that the school was actually over an hour away from the city where all your Chinese friends lived. Excellent.
*The spotty internet connection is now all that connects you to your entire family, which means that when your husband called three weeks ago to tell you that his father had committed suicide you could not even stay on the phone to console him.
Hey now, I know you. These are just things that happened TO YOU in the past year. If you think about it, your whole life has been a tragically bumpy ride, with wave after wave of misfortunes afflicting you and your loved ones, but we can't let that get you down. Look at this happy photo now, and listen to the rest of the song.
The first time you heard that song, you were sitting in an Internet Bar in Xi'an, China, wishing you could be back in America. Ha! Same song, another year.
 |
| These kids are why you are going through all this trouble. |
Did you finish the song? Did the photo help calm you down and ground you? OK, good. Now, let's remember, together, every big accomplishment you have done so far so that getting this degree will not seem so far-fetched of an idea.
But first, let's put on another good song.
Remember to dance along with the music!
*On September 16th, 1988, you were born! Good job! So was your twin sister, but whatever.
This goes back a little far, so let's move ahead a few years.
*In June of 1994 you graduated from Kindergarten despite having a case of Chicken Pox! See, you can overcome anything!
*When your family moved between Kindergarten and First Grade, you used this as an opportunity to make new friends! Nothing can get you down, girl!
*You joined band in Fifth Grade so you could be a child prodigy like your crush, Mozart, because no one told you that that is not how being a child prodigy worked. The fact that you were only average at the flute never stopped your enthusiasm for music and this would propel you into deciding to be a Music Major in college.
*You had the starring role in The Wizard of Oz! You were probably the only Dorothy to portray the role with that much childhood acne, but you remembered every line and had zero stage fright!
*You were one of the shortest girls at your Sixth Grade graduation, other than your twin Rachel, but you looked adorable in your new dress from Grandma even if you had to shave your armpits for the first time just to be able to wear it. Puberty hit you like a truck right after that day- just in time for Middle School!
*In Seventh Grade, your skills in math (which had been declining since the year before) completely tanked. Nothing your Dad could do seemed to help you understand pre-Algebra. Your failings at math only made your success in English and music seem more outstanding.
*You missed a glorious month of school because of pneumonia, in Eighth Grade, and went on to develop asthma. This caused the school, and your doctors, to force you to decide between sports and music. How was this even a question? Music became a serious passion of yours after this.
*You were one of the tallest girls (and boys) at the Eighth Grade graduation, and the fact that you graduated at all makes you better than Grandpa Heinrich who never finished past this grade.
*In Ninth Grade, your new band teacher saw so much potential in you that he purchased you a piccolo so you could learn and study outside of school hours. You would play this instrument to death. It literally no longer works.
*In Tenth Grade, you and your sister and best friend would compete in the National History Day competition for the third time, but this time your play "Irish Immigrants in America" won a blue first place ribbon at the County level and you got to go to Sacramento to compete at State! The competition kicked your butt, but the tangible feeling of representing your nationality and school was a serious accomplishment.
*In Eleventh Grade your family was evicted and you moved schools. The new students new nothing about you other than the fact that you were tall, blonde, and an identical twin. This intimidated many, and forced you to come out of your shell to make friends.
*Due to the differences between your former and new school districts, you were forced to enroll in nine classes for the Eleventh Grade. You still kept an A average.
*In Eleventh Grade, you began taking Spanish I, as one of the only upper class-men in the course, and received over 100% in the class. This charged your desire to become a language teacher and to begin taking French the next year.
*At High School Graduation, you received the "Bank of America Foreign Language" award for taking and acing two foreign languages at the same time, and graduated with a 3.75 GPA. You had never felt so proud!
There are a few people who helped you get to this point, namely all your relatives, but these are the most important ones.
These accomplishments feel small, but they are the building blocks that serve as motivation to the more recent accomplishments in your life.
Did you finish the last song? Remember when Mom made you watch the movie the first time? She pointed out how the movie was about a strong girl from Pennsylvania who would do anything to survive. You know now that this was an allegory for her own life growing up in Pennsylvania and how she worked very hard for many years before coming to California, but back then you thought it was gross that she described the main character as sensual. Actually, you still hate that word. Thanks, Mom.
Here is another song you love to keep you happy!
Your adult accomplishments are as follows:
*Once you set your mind on attending Humboldt State University in 2006, you moved nearly all of your belongings (even the ones you probably could have left behind) up to Arcata, California to be a Music Major.
*You saw the display during tabling and joined a "FIG" (freshmen interest group) for people interested in Spanish. It was then that you decided to change your major to International Studies, but you did not manage to officially change that for at least three years.
*You joined the school marching band, the Humboldt State University Marching Lumberjacks, and put that piccolo to use- never missing a single rehearsal or gig (both required and optional) that first semester which even won you a small "Rookie All-Star" award at the end of the year Banquet.
*You received a 3.71 GPA for your first semester, which impressed everyone! You would never manage to recreate this success, but at least you did not drop out like most of the students in your dorm.
*You began studying Chinese in 2007, and both hated and loved that you finally encountered a foreign language that presented a challenge. This class fueled your desire to study abroad as it made you wonder if you really did excel in languages more than the average person or if other people just did not care to apply themselves to the subject, and if the later was the case... perhaps you could develop a better method for teaching.
*You participated in your first musical during your second year, not as an actor, but you were briefly on stage as a crew member. Mom was still proud, so you bought the DVD of the production.
*To pay for your plane ticket to China, you and Rachel got your first full-time jobs. Working in Arcata meant that we needed to live in Arcata, so we rented out very first apartment! We shared a room, and had no furniture. We slept in sleeping bags on the floor and brought paper bag lunches to work with us, but we were self-sufficient for the first time (even though Grandma and Grandpa Fix paid that first month of rent)!
*After months of preparation, you and Rachel packed your bags and flew to China on August 29th of 2008. You actually lived in China for three amazing months and sixteen days. You visited ancient relics, made foreign friends, and lived a great adventure in a small amount of time. With your passion for International Studies rekindled, you returned to the USA ready to buckle down and graduate.
*You met an interesting boy, David Wellman, less than two months after returning to the United States, and less than two months after that you were officially dating.
*You joined a choir for the first time, and after making music for nearly eleven years with your flute you finally gave it a try with your mouth. Yes, that sounds as awful as it did in your head.
*You fell in love.
*You adopted a kitten, named Figaro, at only 5 weeks old!
*You finally changed your major! The change brought about new changes in your life, like joining the Chinese Club on campus, but did not stop you from performing with musical groups on campus.
*David moved in with you and your sister.
*You and Rachel and David were asked to be in a commercial for Blue Lake Casino and Hotel. They bleached your hair and plucked your eyebrows, and paid you more than the other actors because of this. Unlike those poor bastards who made less than you, your portion of the commercial never aired. They essentially paid you to bleach your long beautiful hair and make you pretty for one day. Someday you'll get those 15 minutes of fame.
*You adopted a second cat together so that the first one wouldn't be lonely, but if we're being honest... you really wanted another kitten. These two cats are your life!
*David proposed!
*You had a hundred of these ordered so they could be your Save The Date cards for your "Christmas in July" themed wedding. You have a large stack at home still because you only sent out a few. Who cares, it is still one of the best dang photos of you two that exists. And, though it took a dozen tries, it was free because you used the timer on the camera.
*The big plans you had had for two weddings fell through, and David made you choose. One nice wedding, or one nice honeymoon? Honeymoon! Of course! So you had the best wedding of anyone ever.
*David graduated, which made you so proud, but also fueled your hate fire. You should have graduated by now. So, it made you buckle down and work very hard for the next year so you could graduate!
*David began the teaching credential program in 2011, and you started working for the Depot as a cashier. You had tried to be a cashier before at another job, but failed so much that they made you a lifeguard instead. This time, you became the best cashier the joint had! Well, one of, you really loved all those girls you got to work with.
Your hard work paid off! You worked for a whole year, and finished off your degree in International Studies with a concentration in Chinese studies. Congratulations! It took six years, but you did it! In those six years you changed your major, your grandmothers both died, you did a study abroad, your dog died during said study abroad, your friend commit suicide also during the same study abroad,and when your long-term relationship ended while you were also on said study abroad (Longest three months of your life!) and you thought life could not possibly get harder for you- you returned to your family to heal. It was then that you finally let love in. Real love!
Remember that you are strong.
You have had a hard life, so you, more than most, can understand when things go wrong that it isn't the universe out to get you. Life is unfair to everyone.
But you made this choice! You know the life you want to have. The husband, the two cats, the two children (soon enough), and the wonderful job you want are all back in the United States waiting for you!
You will grin and bear your time here in China. The work is frustrating, and not what you expected- which in the end should be exactly what you expected since life has always thrown curve balls our way.
Maybe you do not believe me that you will succeed in this endeavor, but you know there are people who DO believe in you! This is only the next year of your life, and you have already accomplished so much and come so far from the wee thing who went to a bilingual Kindergarten to teaching English in China! Let's end this motivational speech with a bang, and measure your next year in love!
Ready?
Go get 'em, Bry!
*In Ninth Grade, your new band teacher saw so much potential in you that he purchased you a piccolo so you could learn and study outside of school hours. You would play this instrument to death. It literally no longer works.
*In Tenth Grade, you and your sister and best friend would compete in the National History Day competition for the third time, but this time your play "Irish Immigrants in America" won a blue first place ribbon at the County level and you got to go to Sacramento to compete at State! The competition kicked your butt, but the tangible feeling of representing your nationality and school was a serious accomplishment.
*In Eleventh Grade your family was evicted and you moved schools. The new students new nothing about you other than the fact that you were tall, blonde, and an identical twin. This intimidated many, and forced you to come out of your shell to make friends.
*Due to the differences between your former and new school districts, you were forced to enroll in nine classes for the Eleventh Grade. You still kept an A average.
*In Eleventh Grade, you began taking Spanish I, as one of the only upper class-men in the course, and received over 100% in the class. This charged your desire to become a language teacher and to begin taking French the next year.
*At High School Graduation, you received the "Bank of America Foreign Language" award for taking and acing two foreign languages at the same time, and graduated with a 3.75 GPA. You had never felt so proud!
There are a few people who helped you get to this point, namely all your relatives, but these are the most important ones.
Picture left to right: Mom, Rachel, Dad, Alia, and me!
These accomplishments feel small, but they are the building blocks that serve as motivation to the more recent accomplishments in your life.
Did you finish the last song? Remember when Mom made you watch the movie the first time? She pointed out how the movie was about a strong girl from Pennsylvania who would do anything to survive. You know now that this was an allegory for her own life growing up in Pennsylvania and how she worked very hard for many years before coming to California, but back then you thought it was gross that she described the main character as sensual. Actually, you still hate that word. Thanks, Mom.
Here is another song you love to keep you happy!
Dancing Queen was one of your favorite songs in middle school,
Abba songs only make you miss your friends more!
*Once you set your mind on attending Humboldt State University in 2006, you moved nearly all of your belongings (even the ones you probably could have left behind) up to Arcata, California to be a Music Major.
*You saw the display during tabling and joined a "FIG" (freshmen interest group) for people interested in Spanish. It was then that you decided to change your major to International Studies, but you did not manage to officially change that for at least three years.
*You joined the school marching band, the Humboldt State University Marching Lumberjacks, and put that piccolo to use- never missing a single rehearsal or gig (both required and optional) that first semester which even won you a small "Rookie All-Star" award at the end of the year Banquet.
*You received a 3.71 GPA for your first semester, which impressed everyone! You would never manage to recreate this success, but at least you did not drop out like most of the students in your dorm.
*You began studying Chinese in 2007, and both hated and loved that you finally encountered a foreign language that presented a challenge. This class fueled your desire to study abroad as it made you wonder if you really did excel in languages more than the average person or if other people just did not care to apply themselves to the subject, and if the later was the case... perhaps you could develop a better method for teaching.
*You participated in your first musical during your second year, not as an actor, but you were briefly on stage as a crew member. Mom was still proud, so you bought the DVD of the production.
*To pay for your plane ticket to China, you and Rachel got your first full-time jobs. Working in Arcata meant that we needed to live in Arcata, so we rented out very first apartment! We shared a room, and had no furniture. We slept in sleeping bags on the floor and brought paper bag lunches to work with us, but we were self-sufficient for the first time (even though Grandma and Grandpa Fix paid that first month of rent)!
*After months of preparation, you and Rachel packed your bags and flew to China on August 29th of 2008. You actually lived in China for three amazing months and sixteen days. You visited ancient relics, made foreign friends, and lived a great adventure in a small amount of time. With your passion for International Studies rekindled, you returned to the USA ready to buckle down and graduate.
*You met an interesting boy, David Wellman, less than two months after returning to the United States, and less than two months after that you were officially dating.
*You joined a choir for the first time, and after making music for nearly eleven years with your flute you finally gave it a try with your mouth. Yes, that sounds as awful as it did in your head.
*You fell in love.
*You adopted a kitten, named Figaro, at only 5 weeks old!
This was only moments after he asked you to be his girlfriend. <3
*You finally changed your major! The change brought about new changes in your life, like joining the Chinese Club on campus, but did not stop you from performing with musical groups on campus.
*David moved in with you and your sister.
*You and Rachel and David were asked to be in a commercial for Blue Lake Casino and Hotel. They bleached your hair and plucked your eyebrows, and paid you more than the other actors because of this. Unlike those poor bastards who made less than you, your portion of the commercial never aired. They essentially paid you to bleach your long beautiful hair and make you pretty for one day. Someday you'll get those 15 minutes of fame.
The director took this photo! I know we always hated the one-shoulder look,
but the curly hair really balances the look.
You had no idea then that he wanted to marry you!
*You adopted a second cat together so that the first one wouldn't be lonely, but if we're being honest... you really wanted another kitten. These two cats are your life!
*David proposed!
You are still wearing that ring!
So matchy-matchy it makes you cringe, but he loves it!
*You had a hundred of these ordered so they could be your Save The Date cards for your "Christmas in July" themed wedding. You have a large stack at home still because you only sent out a few. Who cares, it is still one of the best dang photos of you two that exists. And, though it took a dozen tries, it was free because you used the timer on the camera.
Th other shoppers thought you were nuts,
but it was worth it for this photo.
*The big plans you had had for two weddings fell through, and David made you choose. One nice wedding, or one nice honeymoon? Honeymoon! Of course! So you had the best wedding of anyone ever.
You got married as the finale of the Marching Lumberjacks Spring Concert.
It was free, and totally worth it.
*David graduated, which made you so proud, but also fueled your hate fire. You should have graduated by now. So, it made you buckle down and work very hard for the next year so you could graduate!
"Congrats on beating me to graduation, babe."
*David began the teaching credential program in 2011, and you started working for the Depot as a cashier. You had tried to be a cashier before at another job, but failed so much that they made you a lifeguard instead. This time, you became the best cashier the joint had! Well, one of, you really loved all those girls you got to work with.
You were an excellent cashier, fantastic beer wench, and a mediocre barista.
Can't win them all.
Your hard work paid off! You worked for a whole year, and finished off your degree in International Studies with a concentration in Chinese studies. Congratulations! It took six years, but you did it! In those six years you changed your major, your grandmothers both died, you did a study abroad, your dog died during said study abroad, your friend commit suicide also during the same study abroad,and when your long-term relationship ended while you were also on said study abroad (Longest three months of your life!) and you thought life could not possibly get harder for you- you returned to your family to heal. It was then that you finally let love in. Real love!
Rachel, Brooke, and you! Friends for life! For the herd!
College life to the right, everyone else please exit to the real world on the left.
I know you need some direction now, so listen up!
Remember that you are strong.
You have had a hard life, so you, more than most, can understand when things go wrong that it isn't the universe out to get you. Life is unfair to everyone.
But you made this choice! You know the life you want to have. The husband, the two cats, the two children (soon enough), and the wonderful job you want are all back in the United States waiting for you!
You will grin and bear your time here in China. The work is frustrating, and not what you expected- which in the end should be exactly what you expected since life has always thrown curve balls our way.
Maybe you do not believe me that you will succeed in this endeavor, but you know there are people who DO believe in you! This is only the next year of your life, and you have already accomplished so much and come so far from the wee thing who went to a bilingual Kindergarten to teaching English in China! Let's end this motivational speech with a bang, and measure your next year in love!
Remember, you are only in China for one year.
Your husband and best friends want you to finish your degree!
You cannot start the MLJ Graduate Degree Club
with Wesley if you don't get that degree!
Suzie is living in New Zealand with Maighdlyn,
she understand the pain of not being in America.
Remember when you were the only one to dress in drag at Alejandro's birthday?
Everyone still accepted you for the weirdo you are.
Wesley and LC want you to get your degree so you can
start that summer camp together!
Sarah wants you to finish your degree so you can come
back to American and have fun together!
David knows that if you can throw HIM a surprise 30th birthday party,
that graduate school is going to be a piece of well deserved cake,
Danny, your brother-in-law, just wants you to come back to America
so you can throw more awesome parties like David's birthday.
Brooke wants you to finish school and come back to America
so you can play more Dungeon and Dragons!
Caitlin wants you to come back with a degree so she is not the only
person you know with a Master degree. And then you can
go to Disneyland together!
Alia, your little sister, wants you to get this degree so you
can shut up about it already!
 |
| Your whole family wants you to get this degree so you can have a better life! |
Matt is getting his graduate degree, too, send him
a message if you get overwhelmed!
You need to make the women in your life proud!
Never forget he loves you, and supports you.
These girls will always look up to you!
And your family will always have your back!
Because they are just as excited for this as you are!
So enjoy this year, and remember what is waiting for you at home!
Both of your families want you to finish this degree!
You'll be doing this again before you know it.
He's always there to hold your hand through the hard times.
So relax, have fun in China, and finish up that degree!
You'll be back in America before you know it!
You know this is all going to be worth it.
Ready?
Go get 'em, Bry!
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