It's not just the last day of the year, but it's also the last day of the last year of the decade. Let me recap what has happened in the past ten years:
* In 2000, I lived in San Francisco for 8 months.
* In 2001, my Dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer, but he pulled through.
* In 2002, I was laid off from my job and was cheated on by my girlfriend at the time.
* In 2003, I met the girl I was meant to be with but I screwed it up something fierce when I cheated on her.
* In 2004, I moved to Los Angeles to join Electronic Arts.
* In 2005, my nephew was born.
* In 2006, I moved to Montreal to join EA's studio there. I met MJ in the fall of that year
* In 2007, I moved to Vancouver to join Slant Six Games. I proposed to MJ towards the end of the year.
* In 2008, MJ told me that she was in love with someone else and broke off our engagement. I ran away from Vancouver in heartbreak, moving to Boston to accept a job with 38 Studios. My uncle committed suicide.
* In 2009, I nearly lost my Dad after he had a heart attack. I was accepted into graduate school, fulfilling #2 of my life's goals.
This year has been a bit of a wake-up call. Nearly losing my Dad was frightening, and showed me that I hadn't spent nearly enough time telling my parents how much they mean to me and how grateful I am for everything they have done. Someone told me recently that the most important thing that you can do in your life is to love each person in your life as much as he/she loves you. I think that is the lesson I'm going to take from this year.
* In 2000, I lived in San Francisco for 8 months.
* In 2001, my Dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer, but he pulled through.
* In 2002, I was laid off from my job and was cheated on by my girlfriend at the time.
* In 2003, I met the girl I was meant to be with but I screwed it up something fierce when I cheated on her.
* In 2004, I moved to Los Angeles to join Electronic Arts.
* In 2005, my nephew was born.
* In 2006, I moved to Montreal to join EA's studio there. I met MJ in the fall of that year
* In 2007, I moved to Vancouver to join Slant Six Games. I proposed to MJ towards the end of the year.
* In 2008, MJ told me that she was in love with someone else and broke off our engagement. I ran away from Vancouver in heartbreak, moving to Boston to accept a job with 38 Studios. My uncle committed suicide.
* In 2009, I nearly lost my Dad after he had a heart attack. I was accepted into graduate school, fulfilling #2 of my life's goals.
This year has been a bit of a wake-up call. Nearly losing my Dad was frightening, and showed me that I hadn't spent nearly enough time telling my parents how much they mean to me and how grateful I am for everything they have done. Someone told me recently that the most important thing that you can do in your life is to love each person in your life as much as he/she loves you. I think that is the lesson I'm going to take from this year.
VIEW 3 of 3 COMMENTS
ribbonsundone:
Best of luck to you in this new year! It seems like you've followed your own mini-bar sentence advice with good results. 
ribbonsundone:
Isn't it interesting how the brutal events are the most informative? Personally, I always have to stick my hand in the fire to know it is hot, and I never, ever learn my lesson the first time. Enlightenment one facecrush at the time. 
ALthough, to be fair, I've had some pretty awesome good times, successes and privileges in my life, so I wouldn't trade any of the dark times. Ultimately it will balance out. "Looking good, Billy Ray! Feelin' good Louis!"
ALthough, to be fair, I've had some pretty awesome good times, successes and privileges in my life, so I wouldn't trade any of the dark times. Ultimately it will balance out. "Looking good, Billy Ray! Feelin' good Louis!"