It's that time again: the annual New Year's review and preview.
To begin with, 2008 was almost a complete flip-flop of 2007. I started 2007 off well, and had a really great first half of the year, then about halfway through it went completely, overwhelmingly rotten. This year, on the other hand, started off completely rotten, and then (at almost the exact same point in August) suddenly became awesome, and it's been getting steadily more awesome ever since. This past week was the most amazingly incredible week I've had in years.
Highs and Lows: My best friend had his first child, a beautiful daughter, last January. The next month, a close friend of mine died unexpectedly in an auto accident. "The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." (Job 1:21)
Last spring, I helped my school organize a week of 24/7 prayer on campus as part of a larger initiative to cover 52 days with continuous 24/7 prayer on college campuses across the state. It was great, and it looks like we'll participate in an even larger program this spring.
Milestones: At the end of the spring semester, I watched my first students graduate - the ones who were freshmen in my class my first year of teaching (2004-2005) walked across the stage to get their diplomas. It was a strange feeling - those four years passed much more quickly than I remember them passing when I was a student. Now, in just a few months, I'll watch the ones that came in my second year graduate. I would be inclined to feel a little depressed at the speed life is passing me by, when I realize that it's not passing me by, and that I'll be graduating with my second Masters degree in a year and a half.
Today also marks the 5th anniversary of this blog. Hooray! On the other hand, I've noticed that blogs aren't nearly as popular as they were a few years ago - casual bloggers use Facebook and Twitter to give shorter updates about themselves. I am relying on Facebook more and more, but it's not as conducive to longer, more introspective posts. We'll see where this goes.
Mileage: My odometer stands at 194,127 miles. Despite the staggering $4-a-gallon gas this year, I drove 50% further than the year before. Way to buck the trends!
This next year is shaping up to be a good year. Unlike last year, I'm looking forward to seeing what it will bring.
To begin with, 2008 was almost a complete flip-flop of 2007. I started 2007 off well, and had a really great first half of the year, then about halfway through it went completely, overwhelmingly rotten. This year, on the other hand, started off completely rotten, and then (at almost the exact same point in August) suddenly became awesome, and it's been getting steadily more awesome ever since. This past week was the most amazingly incredible week I've had in years.
Highs and Lows: My best friend had his first child, a beautiful daughter, last January. The next month, a close friend of mine died unexpectedly in an auto accident. "The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." (Job 1:21)
Last spring, I helped my school organize a week of 24/7 prayer on campus as part of a larger initiative to cover 52 days with continuous 24/7 prayer on college campuses across the state. It was great, and it looks like we'll participate in an even larger program this spring.
Milestones: At the end of the spring semester, I watched my first students graduate - the ones who were freshmen in my class my first year of teaching (2004-2005) walked across the stage to get their diplomas. It was a strange feeling - those four years passed much more quickly than I remember them passing when I was a student. Now, in just a few months, I'll watch the ones that came in my second year graduate. I would be inclined to feel a little depressed at the speed life is passing me by, when I realize that it's not passing me by, and that I'll be graduating with my second Masters degree in a year and a half.
Today also marks the 5th anniversary of this blog. Hooray! On the other hand, I've noticed that blogs aren't nearly as popular as they were a few years ago - casual bloggers use Facebook and Twitter to give shorter updates about themselves. I am relying on Facebook more and more, but it's not as conducive to longer, more introspective posts. We'll see where this goes.
Mileage: My odometer stands at 194,127 miles. Despite the staggering $4-a-gallon gas this year, I drove 50% further than the year before. Way to buck the trends!
This next year is shaping up to be a good year. Unlike last year, I'm looking forward to seeing what it will bring.
posted by Mark at 1/01/2009 10:08:00 PM
1 Comments:
I hope 2009 is good throughout--and that at 2010 you look back and say, "That was the greatest year yet!" Of course, I hope I can do the same.
Getting to spend a little time with you, your family, and your friend was certainly a highlight of my Christmas. Thanks!
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