I’ve never really done a year-end review before, mostly because December/January have tended to be whirlwind months for me in the past. But given a few minutes and a desire to keep alive whatever pulse this blog might still have in it, I’m going to give it a shot.
Top 3 Highlights of 2008
Getting in to Business School. This marked the end of a process that had started over 1.5 years prior. Its hard to fully describe this… countless hours were spent by others and me preparing applications, recommendations, interviews, and even more time was spent waiting anxiously for the results. My future hinged on the outcome, and I can still remember exactly where, when, and how I received the good news. Its safe to say that anything I can remember with that much specificity is certainly a highlight of my year.
Moving to Chicago. Though closely related to the above, moving to Chicago has been a wholly separate highlight of the year. I’ve uprooted and done a long-distance move twice in my life before, and never has one been so easy. It started off painful – a last-minute apartment hunt with more complications than expected, and a move-in process hurried by the upcoming start of classes – but quickly became an incredible experience. I moved to a city where I already had a few dozen friends, got a fairly big apartment to call my own, found a Taco Bell within driving distance (with a drive-thru!) and have a car to take me there. I also started school, which has been an amazing experience so far – I’ve learned a lot and have made a few hundred more friends. My daily commute consists of a drive along the lake, which I still find to be beautiful despite the weather. And the weather thus far has not killed me (though, to be fair, I really hate the weather here). Do I miss New York? Yes. But do I love being here in Chicago? Yes.
Travel. I haven’t been always been able to take exciting trips in prior years, but this year was able to go to some pretty interesting destinations. In the Spring, I went to Buenos Aires, Argentina with 5 friends. Later in the year, I traveled to Nicaragua with 15 people I barely knew. Both trips were unique and memorable in their own ways, and I’m lucky to have been able to go.
Honorable mentions.
- Anything involving visiting my family in Florida is always a highlight, and I managed to make 6 trips back in the course of the year.
- Obama won the election, and I got to be in Grant Park in Chicago when the results came in.
- I bought one of the new MacBooks, and have admittedly become a fanboy.
Top 3 Goals for 2009
I don’t make resolutions, because I find them hard to keep. Instead, here are a few of my goals for the year.
Get a job, obviously. The economy is pretty rough right now, and that’s obviously impacted the atmosphere on campus. We’re getting into the main internship hunt period right now, so there’s a lot of anxiety in the air about how things will play out. I’m trying to remain cautiously optimistic and hope that people are right when they say “things will work out.”
Travel more. I picked up some momentum in 2008, and I hope to continue in 2009. I consider two international trips to be a lofty but attainable goal, though I will be more than happy with just one. I also hope to get back on the slopes. I was knee-deep in work and business school applications last winter, and missed the season. This year, I hope to get back out there.
Take care of ME. I haven’t prioritized parts of my personal life in the past few years, and its time I focus on that more. For one, I need to get back in shape. I’m not exactly sure how to measure this, but if I manage to get 25 situps in before March, I will be making progress. Also, my Mom thinks I need to date more. I think I agree.
Honorable mentions
- Disconnect more often. I’m a little too attached to my computer and blackberry.
- Read more. Somewhere in the last year or so, leisure reading has dropped off my to-do list. Gotta find time to do that more. Less blogs, more books.
- Catch up on wedding gifts. I’m currently 3 behind.
- Prevent friends from getting married. What the hell guys? I’m tired of buying you gifts!
