As I get older, it’s harder for me to distinguish one calendar year from the next. Unless, of course, it’s bad; 2004 sucked, for instance. On the other hand, 2008 was such an amazing year that I felt sad counting down its last seconds, as though saying goodbye to a friend who had been particularly kind to me. It felt wrong to let it pass without commemorating it in some way. So here goes:

Highlights

• Stuff I will tell my kids about 20 years from now: Obama’s historic election & Michael Phelps 8-gold-medal run in Beijing. I’ll always remember where I was when these happened, and how hopeful and inspired I felt.
• The official end to my formal education and living on the east coast:  Graduated from business school, sold our first condo in Somerville, moved 3X in 3 months (including a 2-month stint living with my parents), before finally getting settled in the South Bay.
• Watched many of my favorite people get married, including my sister, Kerry, Grant and Feng, Brian, and others.
• Saw the world: Spent the first month of ‘08 in South America, two weeks in Africa in April, one week in May in BVI and two weeks in Europe in July.
• Still pretended to be outdoorsy: Climbed Villarrica and ziplined in Pucon, Chile, white-water rafted in Brazil, hiked the Cinque Terre trail, went on safari in Tanzania, sailed through the British Virgin Islands, participated in several Yung family holiday “death marches.”
• Took three whole months off. I’ve never had an entire summer off before. Ah laziness, how it becomes me.
• Started a new job. 
• Memorable consumption: Carnival 2008 in Rio, Gossip Girl, David Archuleta performing Imagine; Chelsie & Mark dancing to Bleeding Love on SYTYCD, Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight saga; Harry Potter books on audio tape (perfect for long drives to Los Angeles); and new discoveries Paper Raincoat and Jon McLaughlin.

Lowlights:

• The US and then global financial markets imploded, resulting in the destruction of trillions of dollars of wealth. I avoid opening my 401(k) statements now.
• Shattered a glass shower door in my hotel room in Sao Paulo, resulting in stitches (& an upgrade to a VIP suite). Being surrounded by shards of glass without contacts or clothes makes one feel extremely vulnerable.
• Got three fillings.