nik

it's been too long again...
but this time, it's a good thing.
i've been so busy.. just living life to the fullest..

i know my last post wasn't a happy one... life had gotten rocky... and everything it seemed made me happy just fell out from under me...
but since then i can honestly say i'm now the happiest i've ever been... in my entire life.

i moved back to my home town... and for the first time in my life... i am enjoying total freedom.
freedom from a lot of financial issues i used to have... freedom in my love life...
for the first time in my life, i'm living entirely for myself.
i'm traveling all the time... i've met so many amazing people...
i've learned so much about myself, and i've grown so much, just in these past few months...
i can honestly say, all the bad stuff that happened to me, really made me better off.
for if none of it had happened... i wouldn't be where i am right now.
and instead of making me jaded, and untrusting... i've actually become an even better, more loving person.

toledo had a lot of ups and downs... i met a lot of great people, and some not so great (that i still love anyways). last sunday, a friend of mine was murdered up there, and i had to go back this past weekend for his funeral. it was bittersweet... i made ammends with all those who wronged me, and those i wronged... and got to see everyone together for the first time in months. we all got together in his honor, and had a blast, because we knew thats what he would want from us.

it made me realize that life is so short already, and at any moment, it can be taken away from you.
never take anything, or anyone for granted... they might not be there tomorrow... you might not be there tomorrow...

so i'm living life to the fullest... and taking advantage of every chance i get to see the people who matter to me...
and i'm going to try my hardest to be the best person i can be... so when i'm gone... i'll be remembered by my loved ones as someone who made a good difference in the lives of everyone i knew.

from now on... only smiles, laughing and good times... because we all know, the bad times never last forever... and soon the sun will be shinin' on you again.

i dedicate this blog to my friend casey.. who's life was cut too short at the age of 22.. by someone looking for change and cigarettes.. he was one of those people that brightened the room with his smile.. and would do anything to make you laugh when you were upset... he was a good person, even to those who didn't deserve it... and in his honor, i'm going to try to be more like that for the rest of my days.
RIP casey bucher. you'll never know how close i held you in my heart... or how much those daily bike rides meant to me... and how much i would give, just to jump on that mountain bike, and go for one more ride with you. you will be missed by so many... more than you would ever know. until we meet again my friend...


so... i have tons of pictures...
first... since the 'toledo' chapter of my life is over... i'm going to recap all my favorite moments, before moving on to my recent pics.
so here's to toledo.. the ups and downs... the good and the bad... i wouldnt change any of it for the world.

i have mandy, the ying to my yang... to thank for having such an amazing year.. i love her like my own sister, and i really think we were meant to be twins.



































my three favorite girls in the world.






tif, i'm sorry for everything that happened between us... i love you girl.. and always will.






my 22nd bday




















and from last weekend, when we were all together again in casey's honor.


we smile through our tears... because we know thats what you would want.



and now, for pics from my new chapter in life.
been going to atlantic city new jersey once a month..



shows and festivals galore!

























cheers to you casey... and every moment of happiness you gave those who knew you.

<3nik