The day I turned 21

Hey out there, all of you out and about in the worldwide web….

So the last time we spoke or I wrote to every one, things were very different. The last time I wrote, I was 20, living in California, and I had a girlfriend.

Now, all that has changed. First of all, my mom got us moved back to New Jersey because I really wanted to move back here, and even though she is in India most of the time, she likes the East Coast too.  I’m happy to be home again.

And I turned 21 last month. I guess I am now considered an adult! But sometimes I feel like I have further to go to reach that status.

My personal life has shifted a lot, and has gone through a turbulent change I really wasn’t expecting. I was in a long-term relationship that I was looking forward to enjoying when I got settled in New Jersey. It was a rather serious relationship, and it came to an end in an abrupt and very surprising fashion.

Change has always been an extremely hard thing for me and it is a big adjustment for me for face this change. But as life has taught me, you have to be patient, have faith in life, yourself and the future, and you can’t let anything stop you from reaching for your goals and making progress in life. This is often easier said than done, but I try to always be positive and hopeful.

I am attending Raritan Valley Community College. I’m giving a try at studying German and taking some prerequisites in English and Math, also. My major is Communications.

My prosthetics progress has been very slow, and it gets me very down sometimes because it’s hard to stay motivated. its painful and I can feel like I won’t ever be able to walk. Moving away from my great prosthetics doctor in California does make things a little harder because he was a great inspiration and was always ready to help me “take the next step” forward. I know it’s really important for my health to get my body upright and out of the wheelchair. And I really do want to walk again, so I do make myself practice on my own.

I am hoping to find a coach or just a helpful person who can walk with me, help make sure I don’t fall, and cheer me on a little bit to help me stay motivated.  I have a great set of parallel bars in my living room to hold onto and keep my upper body straight when I practice walking in prosthetics. I’m looking forward to the possibility of someone stopping by once or twice a week to “spot me” and watch me walk.

I also am looking for a yoga class to be in because I believe working on my flexibility would be great for my prosthetic usage so if any one around the Sommerville area knows of good yoga classes that may be able to take a disabled student, I would love to know what is available.

Some times living on my own is very hard. Not as far as getting around or being able to handle chores really, but coming home alone all the time can bring a depressing and isolating feeling.  So, I am looking for a roommate and I am hoping I can find someone who has the qualities I aspire to in my life. I want to find someone to live with who will help bring out the best in myself, which is really what we all want. I know myself very well and when turbulent things are happening in your life or relationships, its easy to turn to the wrong types of things to calm yourself and fill that emptiness. I’m ready for a new way.

While I’m still adjusting and trying to find my way forward in life, for the most part life is good and going along.  Some parts are hard but that is true for every one in this world we live in. I am really thankful for the opportunities I have had recently and that I am still alive and on this earth everyday.

It means a lot to me that people are still reading my blog posts…!. I hope every one is doing great, that your life is full of happiness and love. For all my people in NJ  – I would love to see you!

I love you all and thank you for reading.

Gabe