The Writer

AJ just started another semester of school and with it new classes. He is a Human Performance Major and is taking a lot of Outdoor recreation classes. His first assignment in one of his classes was to write an introduction letter. I wanted to share this with all of you. I think AJ is a wonderful writer and sometimes it makes me cry to read his work. He is very talented when it comes to expressing himself and putting it into words. Something that I'm very jealous of. If it was me writing this paper it would say "Hi my name is Alison. I have a husband and 3 kids. I'm 28 years old......blah, blah, blah." Very boring!

Enjoy!


Arlo Andersen
Rec 3840
Introduction Letter

My fathers name is Arlo Bert Andersen. My name is Arlo Bert Andersen Jr. and my oldest son is named Arlo Bert Andersen III. I love my dad very much, he has always been the greatest example on how to be a man and a gentleman. I have been married for 8 years in November to my best friend and eternal companion, together we have 3 crazy, beautiful little boys. Arlo is 5. Cache is 3. And Cam is 1. Individually they each have their special and unique personalities, but together they can cut a huge swath of destruction where ever they go! Boys will be boys, and I love every minute of it! My 5 year old has begun to develop a great love for the outdoors, which has brought me a great deal of excitement and plans for the present as well as the future. For his 5th birthday this summer he got his very own hydration pack so he can go hiking with his dad!
I have a serious love and respect for the outdoors. I grew up in Grants Pass Oregon where there are endless opportunities for adventure. One of my great loves of youth was rafting on the wild and scenic Rogue river in southern Oregon. Most of my adventures in life have primarily been in the state of Oregon. I have been to the summit of Mount Hood 3 times, which is the second most climbed mountain in the world, Fiji is number one. I have also done quite a few 40 mile hikes. The last one that I did was around the base of Mount Hood. My friend and I did it in 2 and a quarter days! One of those days we hiked 20 miles! What an amazing experience!
I love the serenity of nature and the unadulterated beauty! We live in such a fast paced world with endless amenities of comforts, that we have lost contact with our life force, Mother Earth! The great thing about nature is that you don’t have to go far to experience her peace or beauty, it is all around us every day in every place, we just have to open our eyes and see it! If we just “stop and smell the roses” it is amazing how invigorating that one experience can have on an individual. I love the saying “Grow where you're planted or whither where you won’t”. Our careers, families or education often take us to many different places in our lives, it is these experiences and environments that can have a profound affect on who we are and who we become. I truly believe that we are the sum of all the people that we come in contact with throughout our lives, and I want to surround myself with the best and brightest people and places that I can find!