My (Surprisingly) Long List of Successes, and Many More to Come

 I was told recently by a friend (Naomi), that in order to feel like I know who I am, I need to "Recognize" my accomplishments, or my successes in my life. I did something like this, (in this blog) December of 2022, but on a much smaller scale.

As somebody who experiences major imposter syndrome, I wanted to run away from this challenge, because I constantly feel like I haven't accomplished much, and that it is hard to remember in the moment. I challenge those reading this, to do this for themselves, because YOU have accomplished enough, even if you can't see your impact in the world. It just takes a matter of reflection. You just living and existing is enough.

So if you ever hear me say: Friend, I don't know if I'm doing anything right in the world." You can point me to this VERY long list of major accomplishments in my life.

My Accomplishments and Successes

1. I successfully obtained my Eagle Scout before I turned 18 under lots of time pressure at the end, but also with a lack of being able to go to scout camps (I only went to 1 my entire tenure as a scout) where many merit badges are acquired. And the person I was doing the eagle scout project didn't want to accept my project.

2. I got the swimming and lifesaving merit badges, even though at the time (and to this day 7/26/2025) don't really know how to swim.

3. I achieved the exact amount of merit badges I needed to get the Eagle.

4. I was baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ with the proper priesthood authority.

5. I was given the Mechizedek Priesthood.

6. I served an honorable mission, even though I was not destined to finish a whole 2 year mission.

7. I fundraised so much, so that I could get a tuxedo and two extra large pictures from Madrigals Choir.

8. I got a 5 on the AP Calculus Test.

9. I received a Math Award at the end of my High School Career.

10. I got a 3 on the AP Psychology Test.

11. I place in the top 10 of my class in High School, which started with 600+ students.

12. In College, I took the Spanish test, and was able to get credit for knowing Spanish (A's and B's).

13. I got straight A's throughout my time working on my Music Education Degree, at Ottawa University, MCC, and Phoenix College.

14. I baptized 21? people on my mission.

15. I graduated with a degree in Psychology in 2014.

16. I went to 3 universities, and graduated with a Associates in Music, and a Bachelors in Choral Education.

17. I have taken on 50+ students, mostly in piano, but also in Voice, Guitar, and Ukulele.

18. I successfully completed a quarter year as a General Music Teacher, with guidance, but all on my own.

19. I completed student teaching, even though I received sicknesses, some emotional and physical, and car troubles.

20. I worked at Walmart for 4 years as I went to college, doing both cashiering and cart pushing in the snow of Utah, and in the heat of California.

21. I worked as a substitute teacher in the colton and fontana unified school districts, after I got my degree, and before and after I got married.

22. I took care of 7+ students at Mesa High School, as an instructional aide, all with severe mental disabilities, including walking around a track a good amount of times with someone who was a flight risk and did not communicate.

23. I worked at Amazon, for seven years, having gotten employee of the month award in "Fresh," being told that I could move up the ladder of the corporate chain if it was something that I really wanted. Building friendships with people there.

24. I have successfully given so many blessings to people who have requested them.

25. I was sealed in the Redlands Temple, a temple close to my heart because it was the one I grew up with.

26. I was sealed to the woman of my dreams, someone who is beautiful and intelligent and who helps me live up to my dreams.

27. I have most recently completed 7.5 years of marriage (6.30.2025).

28. I learned how to play the piano, slowly but surely in my 14th year, and I continue to this day as an accomplished piano player and accompanist.

29. I learned the guitar proficiently during the summer of my sophomore and junior year. (After one of my choir members played Kokomo on the guitar to accompany us). And it's been a source of joy.

30. Later on, my brother and I learned how to play the Ukulele, and that has been a source of joy.

31. I have successfully studied the scriptures, both inside and out, and have a thorough understanding of them, and have used them to answer many questions people have posed to me, and I have posed to myself.

32. I have learned a how to use Adobe Premiere and Adobe Photoshop, and since then, I have become proficient in their counterparts, like Wondershare Filmora/Da Vinci Resolve, and Canva.

33. I beat The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

34. I beat The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

35. I beat The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

36. I beat Super Mario 64.

37. I have read the Harry Potter series.

38. I have read the Kingkiller Chronicles (Name of the Wind) series, to date.

39. I have read the Lord of the Ring series.

40. I have read the Chronicles of Narnia.

41. I have read Debbie Macomber's Cottage by the Sea series with Sarah.

42. I have read The Tuesday Night Survivor's Club series.

43. I have read The Mysterious Benedict Society series.

44. I have watched all the Star Wars movies.

45. I have watched the Lord of the Rings movies, but not the extended editions, Yet.

46. We have watched the Mission Impossible Franchise.

47. Up until Engame, I had watched all of Marvel's Infinity Saga.

48. I have watched all of LOST.

49. I have watched all of Bones.

50. I have watched all of The West Wing.

51. I have watched all of How I Met Your Mother.

52. I have watched all of Stranger Things, to date.

53. I have watched all of The Goldbergs.

54. I have watched all of The Middle.

55. I have watched all of Parks and Rec.

56. I have watched all of Brooklyn 99.

57. I have watched practically all of NCIS.

58. I am up to date on Ben and Jonathan Carlin's Popcorn Culture podcast.

59. I have successfully learned and enjoy learning new face card games.

60. I have learned a couple different ways to tie a tie.

61. I can tell the difference between different musical intervals (aurally).

62. I know, and am learning, a ton about music theory.

63. I have successfully served in many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ, such as, Elders Quorum President, Deacons Quorum President, Elder on a mission, Ward Organist, Primary Pianist, Executive Secretary, Assistant Executive Secretary, Ward Clerk, Activity Days Leader, Temple Worker, Temple Laundry, Ward Missionary, to date.

64. I have successfully debuted 8 of my compositions, 3 choral pieces (in Arizona Saint's Chorale concerts), and 5 art songs (in a Senior Recital, at a Funeral, and a family reunion), to date.

65. I have sung and conducted Benjamin Britten's This Little Babe.

66. I have sung John Rutter's Gloria in MCC's choir with a fully orchestra.

67. I have sung Whitacre's Five Hebrew Love Songs with Dr. Simmons.

68. I have sung in a Jazz Choir at MCC (despite not feeling very capable of doing so).

69. I have sung i'll carry your heart with me, with Dr. Peterson and have grown a fond love of it.

70. I have sung Good Night, Dear Heart and want it to be sung at my funeral.

71. I have grown a love for Whitacre's Goodnight Moon and an appreciation for The Sacred Veil, because of Forrest and Arizona Saints Chorale.

72. I have successfully played the piano from The Cantata for the Santa Maria Stake Good Friday concert, hosted by my Brother-in-law, David. As well as, by his commission, made a really good orchestral arrangment of 2 songs which I was able to hear, miraculously.

73. I sang in the Madrigals High School Choir at Disneyland.

74. I got into Madrigals, even though I had not done the lower level singing group first.

75. I led the Madrigals choir (at a very young age and with no conducting training) when Mr. Schuck was ill.

76. I sang Locus Iste in my Madrigals Choir.

77. I've kept a pretty consistent journal since my teenage years.

78. I can successfully pinpoint where the big dipper is in the sky and follow their stars to the North Star.

79. I successfully translated for a meeting on my mission and described a word (echo), because I didn't know what the word was in Spanish (eco).

80. I have learned the proper diction for 4 to 5 different languages so that I could sing in those languages. German, French, Italian, Latin, and English (and I sang in Russian).

81. I have successfully lived in Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Blythe, Provo, Bloomington, Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler, Apache Junction, and Santa Maria.

82. All the Friends I Made in ASC and Arizona.

83. I have successfully taken care of children, with Sarah, and sometimes on my own.

84. When I was a teenager, I scored a goal in soccer, even though I played right defense. But I successfully made a good right defense.

85. My fastest time in a 400m race broke 1 minute, it was 57 seconds. But I got consistent minutes.

86. I have successfully taken care of children, with Sarah, and sometimes on my own.

87. When I was a teenager, I scored a goal in soccer, even though I played right defense. But I successfully made a good right defense.

88. My fastest time in a 400m race broke 1 minute, it was 57 seconds. But I got consistent minutes.

89. I know this is not that high, but in pole vault, I cleared 5'6".

90. I've ran multiple 5Ks, in cross country as a youth, and as an adult.

91. I made a PowerPoint about Peruvian Music that I am very proud of, that a child would find fascinating.

92. I composed and used a song inspired by a poem about a fat cat during my student teaching.

93. All the relationships I made at Casteel High School and Centennial Elementary.

94. I have a repertoire of over 30 art songs learnt, and sang 18 songs for over an hour in 4 different languages at my Senior Recital.

95. I have become a ham radio operator, call sign KM6KNW, still licensed, until 2027.

96. To date, with my brother, Jake, I have completed 30 podcast episodes for the Be Good and Do Good Podcast, totalling 531 views on YouTube with 13 subscribers, and 208 plays on Spotify.

97. To date, on my personal YouTube channel, @juancito400m, I have gotten 9479 views with a total of 43 subscribers.

98. On Insta, I have 283 posts with 340 followers, and I follow 413 and on Facebook I have 764 friends.

99. I have an insta account for my drawings, photoshopped work, calligraphy, and other work, @chorisjuangelorum_creates.

100. And, if you made it this far, to date, 98 people have subscribed to this blog so far, and I sent feelers out to 188 people, so pretty good success rate.