2009 in Memoriam

Many people are inclined to lavish a year with praise or write it off as a loss as it's on its way out. I am not usually one of those people--one year ends, another begins, and life continues on its merry way--but 2009 was such a special year that I'm going to make an exception. You see, in 2009 life wandered off its merry course and into very unfamiliar territory (also known, by those of us for whom change is a fate worse than death, as hell). So for you, 2009, a swift kick in the pants for catapulting me into a fetid cesspool of uncertainty. And for you, 2010, a prayer that life will get back on track.

Of course, last year wasn't all bad, and it would be unfair for me to judge it based on one event (however dreadful) so I present to you a list of the 15 most influential occurrences of 2009. Can you spot the highest high? The lowest low? The biggest "What Was I Thinking!?" moment?

15. January: Said goodbye to my paternal grandfather.
14. January: Welcomed Sean's niece into the world.
13. January: Visited Texarkana for the first time.
12. February: Tried to touch up my own roots with atrocious results.
11. March: Roadtripped to amazing New Orleans.
10. April: Found out at 2AM that my bestie was engaged.
9. May: Saw Death Cab live.
8. May: Graduated from college.
7. June: Moved out of my sweet home in College Station and back into my parents' house.
6. June: Got my current job (albeit with far fewer responsibilities).
5. July: Backed my car into a tree.
4. August: Moved Sean to Dallas.
3. August: Visited Las Vegas.
2. September: Had to make my first ever major investment in my decade old car.
1. October: Dyed my forever blonde hair brown.

And in the spirit of ending on a high note: In 2010, I hope to watch more movies, read more books, write more fiction, save more money, and find more purpose in an effort to become a more satisfied former student.

Happy New Year, one and all!