I hope you're all doing well! 2001 has been a busy year for the Morgan family! So busy, that I, Amanda, have inherited the Christmas letter-writing responsibility from my mom, Sharon.
Speaking of Mom, she is currently going to school at University of California, Davis for the Physician Assistant program. She'll have solid schooling for the next two years (spring, fall, winter, and summer quarters), so she had to quit her job at the mobile clinic. Still on the payroll, she occasionally does lunch with her co-workers. For the PA program, she is required to intern at a clinic 24 hours per week, which she does here in Petaluma. One week a month, she drives to Sacramento and attends classes. Sharon has become quite the little study-buddy; when she isn't in Sacramento or at the clinic, she is pouring over her books or writing papers. We are all very proud of her and try to get the housework and bills done while she's away. She and my dad have found a couple of getaway weekends to go hiking or kayaking.
Tim has had an eventful year. The year began in Brazil! Yes, on December 27th 2000, Sharon and Tim left for a several week visit to Florianópolis, Brazil, to visit our dear friends there and see how Brazilians celebrate Feliz Ano Novo. It was a very special night for sure. Every day after that was beach, swim, hike, eat, etc. And they loved seeing friends they hadn't seen in 14 years. Tim continues to work at two things ESA and web design. He even has a domain name (tsm-solutions.net)! He hopes to do freelance web design in the coming year. The remainder of his time this year was spent doing a home remodel. He has gotten only as far as remodeling the outside of the house, but the project will continue next year and he hopes to get the really good part (the inside) done. The house remodel project has one serious side effect, however: Dad has no time to brew beer. Maybe he'll be able to continue his favorite hobby in the New Year.
Terry's chaotic life continues to roll forward in an unspecified direction. He has decided to finish his undergraduate education at Sonoma State University and is hoping to complete a BS in Chemistry and a BA in Molecular and Cell Biology in the next couple of years. While going to school he is working as a wine chemist for Beringer Vineyards. He is applying the winemaking knowledge from his job to his hobby, brewing wine and soon, sake. His other hobbies include world domination and eating food. Terry is still living in downtown Santa Rosa, with his girlfriend Lauren Chroninger. They spend their days tormenting neighborhood children, corrupting neighborhood teenagers and infuriating neighborhood adults. Lauren waitresses, teaches pre-school music, and attends SSU, majoring in jazz performance and music education. She is currently trying to spread her music program to as many schools as possible, as well as teaching beginning flute and piano to youngsters. When not completely overburdened by their obscenely busy lives, Terry and Lauren are very happy.
Jocelyn has settled down a bit this year. She lives in Santa Rosa with her boyfriend, Martín. They found a beautiful house to rent last spring. It is a three-bedroom in the country, right near a creek and horses. Their landlords are great people: very nice and flexible. They have even authorized Jocelyn to paint the inside, remodel, etc. It's a quiet, relaxing residence. In August, Jocelyn and Martín drove to Nebraska to visit some of Martín's relatives. They camped out most of the way, so they were able to see some really beautiful parks. Jocelyn continues to work at a local restaurant as a server, a job she enjoys because she likes working with people. She is considering going back to school in the coming year, but is unsure of her course of study.
Lastly, Amanda's life in 2001. In June, I graduated high school after being ready to leave it for quite some time. I am still working at Whole Foods Market and while I'm not going to school this semester, but I'll start college in mid-January. After taking this break, I am really excited about going back. I still play bass guitar in my punk band, Patient Zero, and find music to be a thoroughly satisfying artistic release. We have played several shows this year, ranging from house parties to a "youth festival" (that was interesting) to frequenting the Phoenix Theatre, a wonderful old opera house that showcases young local bands. We hope to extend our touring area now that we have friends going to colleges all along the West Coast. I am rarely home these days; when I'm not working or at band practice, I am spending time with my boyfriend, Justin Daubs, who (just like Sharon) is a freshman at UC Davis. People in his dorm already know me, and they're an awesome group. Before Justin started school in September we took two weeks to drive across the country, stopping in Southern California, New Orleans, and Cape Canaveral. I hadn't been to the South before and found it very beautiful (if not incredibly humid), especially New Orleans. Hopefully, we will travel more next summer.
So that sums up the year for the five of us. We will be thinking of all our friends this holiday, near and far, and hope you have a healthy and happy New Year.
The Morgans:
Tim, Sharon, Amanda, Terry, Lauren, Jocelyn, Martín