Let there be life, let there be love, let there be silence when there needs to be.

So much can happen in one year. A year ago today I was graduating from the University of Utah, a task that did not come lightly or without serious struggle. After a quick walk across the stage my girl, her family, and I all sped down to Disneyland. Because what else do you do once you’ve spent half of your adult life in school, you go to the happiest place on earth of course. A whirlwind of a trip, 3 days in SoCal, drive back, send my girl back to Florida to work at Disney World as I pack an apartment and prepare for 5 weeks in Italy.

Not without some serious detours, my study abroad in Siena, Italy was by far contained some of the most beautiful moments in my entire life. I feel lucky to have had my fair share of moments that are so beautiful they literally leave you speechless. After a few awkward bus rides and a 48 hour sleep deprived trip home it was time to get back to “reality” so to speak.

Back home in Utah, I stayed with my family while I found an apartment and looked for work in Salt Lake City. Months went by and hundreds upon hundreds of applications were submitted and hundreds of more calls made, there was no hope for finding work. Finally approaching places that said they were not hiring but walked in and gave them my information along with a few nods from friends whom I had worked with previously, I found a job (or a handful of jobs). Freelance work is tough to manage with many schedules conflicting, but I was happy to do it with the expectation of a paycheck. I was happy even to work 90+ hours in a single week to kick off the inaugural Salt Lake City Comicon.  But to what avail? My paycheck that had been promised every two weeks (one that I had needed for months) came late, not just a few days late but more than two weeks late. After more than a handful of late paychecks I was unable to continue working with such an inconsistent schedule.

After looking for more work with no success I was on the verge of a mental breakdown. Just at the right moment I came across the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) internship, which happened to be a paid. Thank god for some sort of a paycheck. But like any good opportunity there was a catch. I would have to move to Indianapolis, IN with less than a month’s notice; which meant my truck and most of my drums had to go to pay for the relocation. Where would my career path take me? I had just given up 17 years of performing experience for a desk job, an internship with no promise of continued work after 6 months. But at least I had a paycheck for now. This opportunity proved wonderful as it gave me time to collect my thoughts, my finances, and prepare for the next major step of life. Regardless of what I choose to do from here one out I am grateful for this life-saving opportunity and will always be indebted to PAS and Rhythm! Discovery Center.

Although one year ago today I started on an unknown path, today my dreams are reaffirmed. There is much to be done before any celebration may take place. Let there be life, let there be love, let there be silence when there needs to be.