2009 Recap

12/31/2009 04:39 a.m. | Personal

I covered 2008 previously, which was a pretty big year for me. Turns out 2009 did not disappoint.

Change was of course another big theme in my year. I had not really intended it to be, but it was no surprise. Here are the big things that happened to me in 2009:

1. I left my job at Accenture

   This was almost as big of a decision as deciding to take the job in NYC in the first place. The local economy was tanking in terms of the working world, and everyone in the city was feeling it. The company made a bold offer to those who had other dreams to pursue, and I took them up on it. In hindsight this could have been a very bad decision had a couple of things not worked out for me, but they did.

2. I moved back to Texas

   Had always wanted to stay in Texas, and even before I left for NYC I knew I would want to return to TX. I just did not know it would be so quickly. I really enjoyed my time in the city, and even though I can count it in months and not years, I feel like I got everything out of my time there. I will surely go back and visit and will always have my memories. But, NYC is a lonely place, and Texas is where my friends and family live. Now it's where I live, too.

3. I got hired at Schipul

   Wow was I lucky to land this job. I was not part of the cult of Schipul fanboys when I applied there, and it was probably a good thing. I was a smart talented kid out of a job and looking for a big change. Schipul has given me perspective on a) working at a small business, and b) working at a tech company. Both of these were dreams of mine and they have been realized at Schipul. I have learned so much and am working with some of the greatest people I've even worked with. I am very thankful for this job.

4. I bought a car

   This was trickier than I thought it would be. Surprisingly, I was able to do this before I got my new job, which was great in the economy. I negotiated well and got a good deal, though I did learn some lessons about just how complicated the whole process can be. I will do things differently the next time I buy a car, but hopefully that won't be for quite some time. In the mean time, I have been very happy with my 2006 RSX and am glad I made the purchase.

5. I settled down some

   I lived in three different cities in 2008 and all the change made it hard for me to call one place home. In 2009 I have found a home, though not a literal one. Without all of the distractions of a changing environment I was able to better connect with old friends and family as well as make new friends. Overall it has been a much quieter year and for that I am very thankful. The best part of this is getting to see Meg everyday.

I also wrote some goals for 2009 at the beginning of the year, and I think I have done OK with those as well. I have had more stability, which has been great. I like change, but if you change too often you don't always get to experience the good times. I still don't really have a plan in terms of writing on paper, but I'd like to think that I know where I'm headed next.

I did not do so well on the goal of doing less. Working at Schipul has exposed me to all sorts of new things to learn and do, so I haven't really been able to focus on just a few. I am discovering more and more about what I enjoy (and what I don't) so hopefully I will be able to do a bit less in the coming year.

I guessed very accurately that I would be spending more time in Texas. This was before I knew I would be leaving my job. I have made a bit of money in the market, but I think anyone who has invested this year has been successful. And finally, I did by a new laptop, which is becoming an expensive but very fun trend.

Overall, 2009 has been wonderful to me. Many people did not fare as well and have struggled in the past 12 months. I am very lucky to not be in that group. I don't know if it is karma or positive thinking or just blind luck that has helped me in 2009, but I am thankful for it all. Here is to a year I will not soon forget.

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