My 1998!
Holiday
greeting for friends and family
Before it's too late (and in lieu of
Christmas cards!), I thought I would share my 1998 with you. It was a Most
aMazing year for Me, with Mazatzal Mountains, Mission Memories, Microsoft, and
More!
MICROSOFT
The year begins with a decision
weighing heavily over my head: should I leave my beloved Arizona to pursue job
advancement in Oregon? I fight the urge
to move for months, but as the year continues, I feel the urge to keep learning
and growing in the area of home networking.
I take a new position in Intel Chandler in June but still feel myself
wanting greater challenges. In the fall
I consider eight different positions with Intel, Honeywell, and Microsoft in
five different states. After great deliberation,
I take the job that seems the most exciting: to work for Microsoft in
Washington on a new home powerline network concept. I embark on a journey of discovery in November.
MUSIC
My passion for music continues to
grow. I conduct the ward choir all year
until moving to Washington. My love of
classical music grows even deeper. I
find that it greatly enhances my work and play. I start to study musical composition technique, and I ponder
writing music of my own. I am inspired
by Bizet, Sibelius, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Greig, and Mahler.
MOUNTAINS
My passion for mountains remains
high. I ring in the New Year in the
Canyon with my brother Melvin. I
experience "Twenty-four Hours in Purgatory" in March. I discover a new secret paradise in the Grand
Canyon in May: Kanab Canyon, the most romantic canyon I've ever seen, with
waterfalls, pools, shower bath springs, and even frogs all over. I'll have to come back with someone special! In July I embark on a weeklong
backpacking/carcamping trip with my nephew Kasey. We explore Sequoia and King's Canyon before meeting Melvin in
Yosemite to make our epic journey up Half Dome. I ascend my first 13,000-foot peak near Durango during Labor Day
holiday. The Sierra Anchas of Arizona
become a forbidden symbol and a challenge to me -- I have a mountain bike
accident here in June and a car accident here in August. But I'll be back here too... I climb the "mountain of the Lord",
making it to Manti, Mesa, Portland, and Seattle temples.
MEMOIRS
I find a new love of writing. I try my hand at poetry, but mostly stick to
prose, in particular going through a phase of self-history writing. I write about various topics such as
favorite mission memories (inspired by a return trip to Japan in December),
dreams, and outdoor adventures, and share some of these writings with
others. I develop a web site to share
my Mazatzal Mountain adventures. I find
that through writing I am better able to understand and express myself.
MEMORIES
Far-flung though it may be,
fortunately my family is there for me.
I make it out to Kenneth's and Vernon's new homes in the Midwest for the
first time and enjoy being with them, as well as with all other family members
at family reunions in Ohio and Arizona.
The kickball games and annual family Christmas hike to Siphon Draw will
stand out as special times with loved ones.
E-mail keeps me close to special friends as well. Thanks for all the memories.
May 1999 be marvelous for you!
Love,
Ray