9 Important Memories Of My 2009

I always spend this time of the year reflecting on the last 12 months (like everyone else), and have realized that I had a lot of amazing things to experience in 2009. Here are 9 things about 2009 that I will always remember, in a somewhat chronological order:

1. The Inauguration of President Barack Obama
   I was very lucky to be able to drive to Washington, D.C. with for two very important reasons this year. First was in January for the inauguration of our current President, Barack Obama. Being in D.C. with my friends Danny and Jackie, on the National Mall, at the Washington Monument, and seeing the amount of love, happiness, and sincere joy of millions of people was truly something that I don’t think I could ever successfully explain. I hope one day to tell my children that I was there to experience that, and that it was one of my most amazing experiences of my life at the time.
   

   The sea of people at the Washington Monument during the Inauguration in Washington, D.C.

2. NYC with C’Anna For Spring Break
   Though it was cold, and we had some hurdles to jump, it was so fun to be in New York City with C’Anna, her aunt, and her nephew. She finally got to meet my other best friends, Johnny and Courtney, which really made me happy! Tons of pictures, tons of laughs, tons of good food. It was definitely one of the highlights of 2009.
   

   A screenshot of me and C'Anna in the front row of the audience at the Colbert Report during our Spring Break in NYC.

3. Getting My First Real Job
   It wouldn’t be 2009 if I didn’t remember getting my first real job at the Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Lab in Morgantown. Though it kind of put a damper on my usually very exciting, energetic summer, it did a lot for me in the long run. Knowing how professional offices work, especially ones connected to our government, is priceless and valuable experience that I know I will carry with me throughout my career. Also, meeting Rachael, and becoming very good friends with Andrea made this experience 10x more enjoyable!
   

   My name plate on my desk at work!

4. Friends!
   This year, I have made quite a few VERY close friends that have really impacted my life in ways that I had never thought were even possible. My friends are my family, and they know that. So, to add even more positivity to my life, I was more than happy. Phillip, Neall, Kim, Danny, Robby, Andrea, and Rachael, just to name a few! You guys really make me happy and thankful that I have been blessed with the positivity and love that you provide.
   

   Me and some of my favorite people at Phillip's apartment in June of this year!

5. Headlines: Friendship Never Ends Tour / Cedar Point
   This kind of meshes in to No.2 a little but but it is a separate thought from just talking about the friendships I made. It was also the trips! This year, we all visited each others homes (for the most part). I came to New York, they came to Cumberland, and we all went to Akron, Ohio, where Phillip lives. Between dancing our faces off at a club in Akron, and our trip to Cedar Point where Phillip’s nose started bleeding after a roller coaster, this summer was full of laughter, happiness, memories and most importantly love.
   

   A picture of us outside of Phillip's house in Ohio during our Headlines: Friendship Never Ends Tour.

6. U.S. Open / Walking Out of Louis Armstrong Stadium with Venus and Serena Williams.
   Not a lot of people realize how amazing and unbelievable my experience at this year’s U.S. Open was for me. Being the biggest tennis and Serena Williams fan that any of you know, getting to the U.S. Open has been a dream of mine since I was 16. I finally made it happen this year (with a hefty pricetag) and not only saw Venus and Serena’s singles matches, but their doubles match as well! If you read my blog at all, you probably know this already. But the best part of the night was leaving to go back home, and walking out of Louis Armstrong stadium with Venus and Serena literally right behind me!! I, of course, took pictures, and it will be a memory in my head that I know I will never forget.
   

   A picture I snapped with a dying camera of Venus and Serena Williams walking out of Louis Armstrong Stadium!

7. National Equality March
   I didn’t blog about this, but being in D.C. again in October for the National Equality March was something I know that I’ll never forget. Being a part of history is very rare, and to do it twice in 2009, and both times in D.C. makes me very grateful. Though the people that were marching had every reason to be pissed off, upset, and depressed, everyone was in a very positive and optimistic mood. C’Anna and I both knew how important this march was, and we were both very excited to have shared the experience together, with my friends Laura and Elysa.
   

   The massive amounts of protesters at the Capitol Building.

8. Lady Gaga’s “The Fame Monster“
   For those of you who know me, this should come as no surprise. Lady Gaga and her latest album, The Fame Monster, definitely made 2009 a year to remember. It has been a long time since an artist has come along and changed the way I think, eat, dream, walk, talk, and smile. This album has not only made me happy musically, but has brought a lot of very important people in my life for various reasons. On top of the fact that every song is a monster hit (pun intended), it’s no wonder Lady Gaga is John Thrasher’s Woman of the Year for 2009!
   

   A photo of my painting inspired by Bad Romance from The Fame Monster

9. New Year’s Eve 2009 in New York City!
   This is only a few days ago, but I already know that it is a day and an experience that I will always remember. My very good friend Phillip got tickets for Mariah Carey’s New Year’s Eve concert at Madison Square Garden and invited me to go along with him! I can’t say I’m the biggest Mariah fan, but he definitely is, so I knew either way I was going to have a blast with him. I got there, and had soooo much fun ringing in 2010 with him, Mariah, and Nick Cannon! The confetti, the music, the dancing, everything was just so fun. After the show we met up with the rest of our friends and continued to fun for a while longer. Definitely one of my favorite memories from New York City.
   

   Mariah Carey in the foreground with Nick Cannon DJ'ing in the background, after midnight!

2009 was definitely a year to remember. Like all years, it had its ups and downs, but overall, I have to say that I am blessed to be able to experience the things that I love, with the people that I love. Already 2010 is setup to be one of the best as well. I have a lot of goals, milestones, and expectations to uphold, so it will be interesting to see how it pans out. I hope a year from now I am writing about my successful job, successful move to New York, and a whole slew of new friends that I hope will change my life the ways the ones I met this year have.

Happy New Year, and make 2010 the best year of your life!

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