Musings of My Semester

It was a term where I was able to determine not only what I need to be helped throughout my own life, but helping others fully when they need it and when I'm able. This term has been structured continually to do all the challenges more than just exercise-wise but also emotionally and spiritually. It has been a structured that has varied in what I can do, but also what I can realize with my potential. The growth of determination and discipline has been infectious and has been sarcasm and fun-filled as well as some seriousness to it, especially when I have been realizing why I need to communicate fully and structurally with people: I have been remarkably better at telling people "no" this term and I have been better at making sure time management is more or less a skill that needs to be refined, rather than a weakness. Love is powerful and this term, I also have been taught to live vivaciously through love for myself and others and to deviate from the norms. The norms are overrated and the structure of those norms frustrate me and promise that I have to be concerned with how I need to follow myself on the road to my own dreams. My dreams are my own and the following of auspicious changes that have come my way in the past few years, there have been many. Wisdom is something that I can do to teach many people and, while trust is something that I have a tough time doling out, it's getting better now. I may have gotten an A- average this term, but as my poem that I read in InterVarsity tells you about my life, it's how I get there rather than the destination. I live hard, I love hard, I play hard, and I work hard. Can't find a better semester sum up than that. Stay tuned for the next installment: blessings of autism.

Why I Need Friends To Keep Me Who I Am

Some friends are very strong friends, some are average, some are weak, and some are life-long that I would take a bullet for. The reason why I need them isn't to have them speak for me, rather to have them keep me excited about my development and to get time, attention, various kinds of acknowledgment (casual contact- hugs or high-fives/fist-bumps mostly) and though I have many friends that I meet somewhat quickly and get acquainted with fast, it's often because I feel comfortable around people. An extroverted person who has been taught from introverted and animadverted people that also has autism, that is hard to find. I love to have time with friends when times are going rough- there is plenty of friends that I am able to share items with and trust them with exciting things that could be strengthened in the friendship, such as coffee, sarcasm, workouts, food, and things such as events (lectures and equality events in particular). Friends sometimes can become close quickly, or they can take years to become close, and in the case of friends that I've known well for a decade or more, they become like family exceptionally often. Friends commit time and being a good friend means keeping them accountable and letting them know that when they mess up or when you mess up, you can keep them accountable and teach them that if they make mistakes, they can be forgiven. And best friendships are almost like gold- rare to find. I have a handful of best friends that are male and female that aren't like family that I can share almost anything with and I can probably count those on one hand or two hands. Friends are truly representative of you too- I have many, but I am proud to say that the quality of them is pretty good when I hang out with them I get good time together, and I love my friends so much that I will spend time with them frequently and ask the big questions. And maybe give them a hug or a high-five. Stay tuned for next week's topic: things I've learned more from this year.

Life As A Self-Directed Individual

Some of the biggest things in my life have happened this year. Not just relationally, but otherwise as well. I have moved over to become a person who is a boss, an in-charge of own life, and a person who is structuring well. I am keeping a way that I can track hours and love to schedule myself, my employees, and my friends. I have made great strides in how I live and have structured a great sense of structure as a self-directed individual. To the uninitiated, self-direction is like a company. But it's my own company. I do the hiring, I plan the schedules, and I structure meetings. I advocate for myself and I make the support broker happy. I self-direct fully and functionally and I stay on track or at least try to. Self-direction is hard? yes, but I've proved that I can direct myself better than I did in any of the previous settings due to the maturity and knowing that "it's all on me." I wouldn't change the apartment lifestyle for anything or being in self-direction for anything. I'm lucky to have people on my team and I'm lucky for them to help listen to me when I'm on track and help me when I'm not. But in the end, it's all me and I couldn't be prouder. Almost six months of being almost on my own and I'm doing so well and can't complain- despite the extra paperwork, my life is sweet! Stay tuned for the next topic: friends why I need them in order to socialize and strengthen myself.

People (And Things) That I'm Thankful For

Taking a slight break from topics completely revolving around my life with autism to talk about some people and things that I'm thankful for, in a list of 7 types of people and 7 things with couple sentence explanations. Here it goes:
People:
1) Family- they are people that always will love me unconditionally and carefully. And they always have my back no matter what and care for me.
2) Best Female Friends- there are a handful of female friends I'm thankful for because we can share almost anything together and not judge each other for it. And I'm thankful for the moments that we can show complete trust.
3) Best Male Friends- there are a handful of male friends that I can share completely anything with without reproach and know that they'll care. And they can show a great level of care for me as well.
4) Support System- I am not anywhere where I am today without the many people who have shown great support for me all of these years. They are my heroes.
5) Wellness Specialists and Long-Time Barbers and BUS Drivers- They are people that I swear by and how I get around and stay healthy. They are people that no matter what, I can appreciate the job they do (and various ribbing comments too.)
6) Baristas- They make my heart happy and my addiction complete. And they have shared many hours with me too.
7) REC Center Employees- They have shared so many moments, high-fives, hugs, classes, trips, and Facebook posts with me. And they keep me motivated to stay healthy.
Things:
1) Coffee- It's my addiction. That's all you need to know.
2) Shelter- I only know how lucky I am to have a place to live. Especially after going to Brazil and Jamaica, I realize how wonderful I have it.
3) Gluten-Free Food- While I can't have much wheat at all, I devour gluten-free food with regularity. I love to eat and the fact that I've been in poor countries make me appreciate that this much more.
4) A Relationship With God- Without God, I wouldn't be where I am today. And that's the truth!
5) Clean Water- I can be healthy while exercising because I have this. Going to Jamaica and Brazil made me realize this.
6) Being Healthy While Exercising And Rarely Taking A Day Off- I love exercising and staying in relative health makes me grateful. And this gives me comfort that I can do it again and again and again and stay well.
7) A Church That Loves Me Unconditionally- Let's face it: even God's people aren't perfect. And after several bottom outs with churches and Christian groups, I am more thankful for a church like the one I'm at now.
Bonus: my autism/ADHD- what wonderful gifts to have. I can teach so many people and inspire so many people to share life the way they are- perfectly imperfect and well-loved.