The Typical End of Year List

In order to keep up with the blogosphere's trend of year end lists ranging from everything to music, movies, top news stories and celebrity fashion faux pas, I deemed it necessary to subject my life during the last year to reflection and arrangement into a numerical list of 'Top Life Experiences and Other Shit of Sara Gress's Year 2010'. And here it is, in sort of not really chronological order:

1) Lived in three states (MT, CO and ID) and had six(ish) jobs. I had to live up to the precedent set in 2009.

2) Experienced coaching college soccer at the up-close-and-personal level, meaning I actually did it. Great experience, and coaching any sport at the collegiate level is a demanding job, emotionally and mentally.

3) Lived in Steve Baum's basement. I only got lost a few times during the first week.

4) Saw one of my best friend's off on her adventure in the Peace Corps.

5) Accomplished my goal of playing in the W-League. It was not all that I wished it would be, but I'm still glad I did it. Check that one off the list.

6) Divorced soccer. I have reached a point where I am O.K. with not playing competitively anymore, and actually have playing fun co-ed rec. But only if my team wins. No, I am not in denial.

7) Got my first speeding ticket, along with my first traffic violation. Thanks a shitload, automated cameras. Is traffic enforcement slowly turning into a scene from Orwell's 1984?

8) Outdoor adventure: winter backcountry yurt trek, thoroughly explored Colorado's mountains, climbed Long's Peak, climbed in Rocky Mountain National Park, backpacked with my brother, traipsed around Olympic National Park with my family, and took over-exercising to new heights.

9) Applied, interviewed, accepted and nominated into the Peace Corps. Medically cleared two weeks ago. Uh huh.

10) Picked up rock climbing a new athletic pursuit. Only popped my shoulder out twice in the first three months! Of course this didn't deter me at all, and I could see myself taking climbing fairly seriously at some point in my life. Great, something else to take up all my time and make me no money.

11) Crashed my Dad's Jeep into a creek. Uhh, whoops. First totaling of a car...at least I went all out. Wrecking a car in the middle of the mountains with no cell service is a massive pain in the ass, by the way.

12) Put a fuckton (which is way more than a shitload) of miles on my car. This totally negates all of the bike commuting I've done in my life and will do in my life. Dammit.

13) Watched a historical NCAA Tournament 2nd Round game by MSUB and seven of my former teammates. Priceless.

14) Finally was in one place long enough to do something I've always wanted to: ski instruct. I've only been at it for a few weeks, but I'm pretty sure this job is going to kick ass. How can you complain about being on top of a mountain playing in the snow all day? You can't. As usual, I'm spending lots of time at it and making close to zero money, but hey, story of my life. At least I'm happy.

15) Probably the defining event of my 2010...my grandma passed away. Coming back to Boise for the fall was the best decision I could've made, as it allowed me to spend my grandma's final two months with her. Having a grandma living in the same city as you for basically your whole life is one of the best gifts life can give you, and I am truly grateful that I was able to be as close to my grandma as I was. She went peacefully and quickly, with my mother and I at her side. She was an amazing lady and I love her and miss her very much.

16) Life is about making great relationships with great people, and 2010 allowed me more than my share of that. I met some awesome people, formed new lifelong friendships and strengthened old ties with friends I've known forever. I have collected quite an impressive tribe of people I am proud to call my friends.

My blog just took a 180 degree turn towards seriousness. This is unprecedented...and with that, I am done.