Eating 12 grapes in 12 seconds as the clock strikes midnight has always been one of the few cheesy traditions my family partakes in.  I’m not sure what the true origins of that Spanish tradition is, but its widely recognized as a way to bring forth good luck in the coming year.  Even if you don’t believe in luck, it can’t hurt to laugh at others as everyone begins stuffing 12 grapes in their mouths.

New Years Eve is a great time to sit back and reflect on what you’ve accomplished throughout the last year.  I find that writing down a short summary of your accomplishments for the year helps you realize just how much you’ve done.  Here is my list:

One of my goals for this past year was to keep my commitment of posting an entry here at least three times a month. This being my 67th published post, and my 75th total post,  I can say I’ve successfully overshot and completed my goal.

In the middle of 2007, I decided to take a break from college for one year in order to pursue my interests of working in the videogame industry.  I may not be working in the game industry just yet, but I gave it a damn good try at the end of ‘07/beginning of ‘08, and I’m actually glad things turned out the way they did.  Few people saw this economic downturn coming, and even fewer people acted on it.  While the company I came closest to working with hasn’t had to reduce their workforce just yet, a recent restructuring might change that. Also, a few of the other studios I exchanged correspondence with have had to cut staff or have since shutdown completely, see here and here.  Times are tough, and the “recession proof” gaming industry found out they aren’t as resilient as economists once thought.  I’m really glad I’m currently employed right now!

Without realizing I was being tested, I earned my brown belt in Taekwondo and successfully conducted a school belt exam under the watchful eye of the assistant instructor and the brand new master instructor.  With the new schedule, training regime, and the persistence of the new master instructor, I’ve noticed several improvements across the board in myself, many of the students, and the school in general.  Sure, there have been some growing pains at the school in the form of several senior students leaving, but in the end the school is much better off and I can’t wait to see what the new year has in store for us there.

A small group, myself included, finally earned their blue belt in Chinese Kenpo after months of hard work.  It was not easy, and the master instructor expected nothing but the best from us while doing so.  We were also assigned a teaching role breaking down the basic manuevers to the new students. Unfortunately, with my year long college break coming to a close halfway through 2008, Kenpo was eventually substituted for college classes.  It was a tough decision, but in the end, academics come first for this scholar.

Good friends have moved on to their next chapters in life.  One has quit his job and moved to a different town, a pair have started their own business, and a few others have loved, lost and loved again.  Why is that an accomplishment for me?  Because I scrutinized their moves, and helped them make those transitions in any way that I could, without being a belligerent, selfish, jackass about it, as I would have been in years past. I even had the honor of lending a helping hand to one of my favorite teachers in his time of need.

Its been almost two years since the break-up, and while girls have come and gone during that time, none of them ever came close to being as special as she was.  Perhaps I never let them, but this year was the closest they’ve come and the improving results have brightened my outlook for the future.

I’m sure I’ve left out a few things, but 2008 was actually a really good year, and I know that 2009 will be an even better one!  Here’s to a new year, cheers!