Goodbye to '09 and a fun decade of aughts

Several hours and a few hundred miles worth of driving around the SF Bay has really not been the inspiration I was looking for to create the last blog of the year.

There was a mad rush of pop songs that I learned and new buildings that I saw. But nothing that grabbed me by the shoulders and throttled me.

So, I'll end with a mish mash of ideas and thoughts that seemed noteworthy and pertinent.

And I'm going with eight ideas because it just happens to be my favorite number.

8) California is still stunning and beautiful. Stunning views and coastlines that are not private or protected like they are on the East Coast. I love that beaches are very accessible. The beauty also includes the many family and friends who reach out and stay in touch.

7) 'Ya know when you hit your early 30s is when you witness many of your friends getting married.' This year was filled with many weddings and engagements for many of my high school friends, some relatives and others from various places in my life. It is beautiful to see many people live out their vocations. I have been able to see a few of them since returning for this holiday break and it is wonderful to see them in the newly married glow.

6) Speaking of vocations...I have also had the great fortune of having many friends who were ordained priests or deacons this year. That is another great vocation. And it is wonderful to talk to several of my friends about their new ministries.

5) Babies everywhere the eye can see. Can you see a pattern here? I love coming back to California and spending time with my friends and their kids. Watching classmates, cousins and friends transform into good parents kinda brings a warmth to my heart.

4) Technology transforms lives. After thinking and starting my thesis aka synthesis project I have realized that I have a newfound respect for technology. I really enjoy reading and learning about technology. And I love making connections between technology and ministry even more.

3) School is cool. The program at Boston College has remained challenging and nurturing. Studying on the East Coast is everything I thought it would be and more. Opportunities to study not only at Boston College, but also at Harvard and Boston University were very great learning opportunities this past semester.

2) Building community never gets easy, but its rewards make it worth the struggle. The constant theme that has come to light for me in the later half of the year is community. That can mean parish community, school community, family community, community of friends, etc. This year was a convergence of many of my communities coming together and in some areas strengthened.

1) Service to others. Even though it has been nine months since I have returned from Jamaica and the international service trip, the emotion and experience is still very present in my life. I enjoyed that entire experience immensely. It created new avenues of thinking and praying that I am grateful for. It strengthened bonds between friends.

I saved the service trip for last for so many reasons that include personal areas of growth, prayer, spirituality and God.

Although it was not explicitly written into the mish mash of ideas, family was another constant theme that brought me strength and sanity. Family was woven into many of those ideas up above from beauty, California, vocation and service to others.

This year was memorable and this decade even more so as I managed to attend a total of three colleges and try out two different professions.

Thanks for following (if you're still reading this) and best of luck for amazing and blessed 2010.

To infinity and beyond!