The old Tom is back!

What a difference two months can make! At the end of December, it felt like my life had completely imploded, leaving me with no answers or direction. But since then every aspect of my life has picked up. My outlook has brightened, my walking has dramatically improved, and my friend Ana and I started a new social organization called Cafecitos, which bears many characteristics of Fiat Lux and the Twelve Hours Club.

Now that walking is no longer a serious obstacle, I can return to an identity that once defined me-- the explorer. Now I won't be climbing any mountains or riding my bike long distances any time soon, but I'm now capable of going on urban hikes and uncovering the many treasures that DC offers. By this summer, I expect to be fully capable of going on day hikes over sizable distances and terrain change.

The new club is very exciting as well. It is completely Spanish-speaking and designed to bridge the Latino and Anglo communities in my neighborhood. Twice a month we get together in my house to listen to Latino music, have Central American food and drinks, and enjoy getting to know each other. I've met a number of great people already, and I expect this group to have just as much success as the Berkeley and Houston organizations.

Life is becoming fun again. For the longest time, it was just one obstacle after another, one frustration after another. I still have a lot of work to do to further improve my health, but it is now good enough that it no longer consumes me. Finally, after 20 months of fighting, it is time to celebrate!