Thoughts on 30 -- just a few days late

So I had this blog post planned out in my mind a few times over the last week or two and just never put the words in this little box.  Now, that I'm too tired and sick to do much on this somewhat gloomy Saturday I'm getting the job done.  Don't worry about the sick part -- For some reason I let some nice lady talk me into thinking I could be young and party again a few times this week.  Message from body to stubborn self -- late nights + hard workouts = not so happy immune system - you aren't as good as you once were Tower.  As I'm typing this -- I've been trying to jump rope off and an for the last half hour or so. It keeps the mind fresh (yeah right!).

This post is supposed to kind of be a reflection of how things have been in life thus far -- or some things I've noticed about what goes on in the world.

I never thought I'd turn 30 in a foreign country such as South Korea.  Let me retract on that one -- I never thought that I'd turn 27,28,29, or much less 30 in a foreign country where most foreigners don't even appreciate the local language.  One of the coolest things -- I can remember what I've done for every single birthday from 18-30 -- now that's what I call a good memory.

I could recall them all right now, but I may fall asleep in the process.  Since last week was number 30 -- I'll recall number 20 here -- that was a dumb move.  Middle of finals week of course was my birthday -- what did this dumb college kid do?  I sat on the bed of  a truck in the gravel lot at Farmhouse (my fraternity), and drank and drank.  By maybe 5:30 or 6 pm, I had drunk a half-case of Bud Light -- needless to say I took a little nap that lasted until well, 6 am or so the next day.  Yeah, that wasn't exactly a smart move -- neither was 21 -- but I'm NOT going there.

Some of things I've learned along the way (probably too many, but I'll keep the list as short as possible):

• Everything happens for a reason
• A mistake is just a lesson in life
• which means
• girlfriends
• jobs
• vacations
• purchases
• etc
• they are all something to learn from -- even those girlfriends that play with your mind and take you for a fool
• The people that love you in life are always going to love you no matter what
• sometimes they take a while to forgive you for certain things
• or you may take  a a while to forgive them
• or you both may choose not to communicate with another no matter how hard one side has tried to do so in the past few years of living abroad
• No matter what they are gonna love you and be there for you whenever you need them
• I've not always treated folks the way they should have been treated
• I feel I've been paid back for such treatment at times
• By being taking for granted by others
• As they say -- what goes around comes around
• Being able to speak a second language is pretty awesome --even at the age of 30
• Even though I majored in communications in college -- I'm still not that great of a communicator
• My Grandpa John R. Tower is my greatest Hero -- 100% Gentleman 
• Sometimes I wish I was as good of a man as he is
• But I know it's my responsibility to carry the torch of chivalry as a Tower
• I am thankful for love and support that Grandpa Tower gives me
• I never met my Grandpa Levy 
• But I know he'd be impressed with the impact I've had on the lives of young children
• My other heroes
• The owner of my old health club in Daegu
• we have this great respect for each other
• I'm humbled in his presence
• The Lakota Warrior Crazy Horse
•  American historians may never get the right side of the story on this guy
• We could all learn about humility from what he did
• Heck, there's even a mountain being carved in his honor in South Dakota
• George Jones and Johnny Cash
• Two great men
• Wonderful musicians who can move your soul
• My Uncle Tom Moody
• A brother
• A father
• An Uncle
• Just one hell of man
• Blogging has helped me realize that I've got potential as a writer -- If I dare pursue that adventure
• Finding love has definitely been a challenge
• As one song says "I've been looking for love in all the wrong places"
• I try not to worry about it so much these days
• Making a pretty woman smile is good enough most of the time
• As the top bullet says -- Everything happens for a reason
• I should still be a chivalrist at all times though -- I may have made that word up.
• The title of my favorite book -- Keep Going - now you understand the title of this blog!!
• There is so much in the world that I still want to see
• I have some awesome friends back home 
• I have some awesome friends here in Korea as well
• I can still eat like a teenager
• Screw caffeine -- I got your energy right here
• I'm not afraid to admit that I cry when something touches my mind or soul 
• Sports movies can still move my emotions as well
• I sometimes wonder how my life has occurred the way it has 
• But people can live vicariously through what I have done
• Many folks support what I've done, no matter how far away I may be
• Chivalry while never die as long as I am alive -- did I mention that already?
• There are many people have done too much for me in my life 
• I may never be able to repay them all fully 
• But I can always honor them with love, respect, and gratitude
• The last two months have been a big challenge for me living in a place where I don't know anyone within two hours of me
• As I say though
• Keep Going -- nothing in life is too difficult 
• Attack those fears
• I definitely complain a lot less than I used to
• I have everything I need in life
• There are too many people that don't have as good of a life as I do
• I leave you with this last thought --- Reading this strange bulleted list may have helped you think about something you would like to do in your life -- I hope in some way that this has affected someone out there.