2008: An Odyssey of a Year

With just hours left to 2008, I figure it's time to reflect on what I've gained and lost over the past year. This is pretty much a summary of the year, so those of you reading this will probably not get too much out of this post. It will be followed by a look forward into 2009 (time permitting).

First the gains for the year:

1. I was able to serve the church as UCC Council President and Joint Council Vice President. And I was also asked to lead a worship service, sermon included, in a little over a month's time (*gulp*). I've been able to grow a good deal as a leader in those positions.


2. I was accepted into and started my time as a PhD student at the University of Maryland in applied mathematics. It has been enjoyable (and tough), especially my duties as a TA. I had a really good class (10 out of 17 of them got A's). I would like to say that I had something to do with it, but most of these students could have done well had George W. Bush been their teacher.


3. I have moved out on my own. And I'm actually within reasonable driving distance of seeing people. Thus I can actually have some kind of social life.


4. Not so much a gain for me, but in my circle of friends, there were three engagements this year. So congratulations to the couples.

Now, for the not-so-high points of the year:

1. Car issues. One tire and one heating core lost in the span of a couple of weeks (and probably from the same incident).


2. Relationship status.

And Christmas was good this year. I got to see most of my family (there may be a trip back to see the rest after the qualifying exam), and received some needed items (a new suitcase among them). Unfortunately, it appears that New Year's will be spent by myself, unless some of you want to distract me from the studying. I've already conceded that passing a qualifying exam after one's first semester is a bit ambitious, especially since my advisor told me the goal of a first year graduate student is to survive. I still want to take it to see what it's like, though.
So to the rest of you, whether scattered near or far, I hope that 2009 is better to you than 2008.