Reflecting on 2006
2006 is about to draw to a close. It's time for me to perform my annual ritual of reflecting on the past 12 months and preparing goals for the year to come.
I. Synopsis
Overall, I am glad that 2006 will soon be in the history books. It was, for the most part, a tough year for me; I suffered a number of setbacks in different areas of my life. Nonetheless, I think that the challenges I faced this year helped mold me into a stronger person. I also recognize that my problems are not nearly as severe as the hardships that confront many other Americans (not to mention the vast majority of the world's population).
II. Thanksgiving
Although I have been pretty negative in my analysis of 2006, I have a lot to be grateful for. Here is a Reader's Digest version of the good things that happened to me in '06:
1. My Family
While my mother's physical health deteriorated this year, her mental health has improved over the course of the past few months. Also, my autistic siblings have made remarkable progress in the last few weeks. Finally, I am grateful that the four year feud between my mother and her parents has finally come to an end. While my family is still consumed by conflict, the resolution of this dispute is welcome news.
2. Academics
I would have liked to have been able to devote more time to my studies last year. Unfortunately, events required me to neglect my books from time to time. I, however, got lucky; my GPA only suffered a slight dip. I earned a total of 10 As, 1 A-, and 1 B in 2006. While there is room for improvement, I am generally pleased my academic performance. If I do decently well on the LSAT, I should be able to get into a good law school.
3. MPA
In July, I was officially admitted into UGA's graduate school. If I pass my comp exams, I will graduate with a MPA in 2007.
4. Summer Internship/ Child Safety Initiative
I really enjoyed my summer internship this year. I had the pleasure of working with some very dedicated and talented individuals. Moreover, I authored and helped secure the adoption of the Governor Perdue's Child Safety Initiative. Inspired by the success of Peachtree City's Internet Safety Task Force, the CSI will triple the number of GBI agents devoted to the pursuit of online sexual predators. I hope that the increase in GBI resources will eventually prevent hundreds of Georgia's children from being molested, tortured, and murdered by internet perverts.
5. High School Debate Tournament
In January, the Demosthenian Literary Society hosted the first-ever Demosthenian Classic, which featured a variety of high school speech and debate events. Overall, I think it was a smashing success. If nothing else, it planted the seed for a larger tournament in the years to come. I am so grateful that my fellow Demosthenians helped me turn my dream of hosting a high school debate tournament into a reality.
The second annual Dem Classic will be held this January.
6. The Republican Reformation
For the past few years, I have been disenchanted with the GOP. I felt that much of the Republican leadership had abandoned conservative (and basic ethical) principles in order to obtain power. While I hate to see incompetent and corrupt Democrats run Congress for the next two years, I think the GOP will really benefit from some time in the political wilderness. I plan to play a small role in the coming Republican Reformation next year.
I understand, of course, that there is very little that a 21 year college kid can do to change the course of American politics. My recent election as chairman of UGA CR (the largest student-political organization in the USA), however, has provided me with an opportunity to become a leading voice for reform within the College Republican community. UGA CR, if everything goes according to plan, will improve the health of the conservative movement by becoming the vanguard of the effort to develop a new generation of principled and ethical grassroots leaders. More on this later…
7. Increased knowledge about Atlanta
During my life, I have been fortunate enough to see a great deal of the world. I have visited Europe, the South Pacific, Australia, Canada, Mexico, and a few countries in South and Central America and the Caribbean. I have also visited 45 out 50 U.S. states.
Until this year, however, I had never visited Sandy Springs. In fact, I knew next to nothing about the North Metro area. After traveling all over Atlanta this summer, I now feel really comfortable maneuvering around my home city.
8. Friendships
I’ve recently realized that I spent way too much time mourning lost friendships this year. I should be really thankful for the new friends I’ve made in my final year of college. Also, I am really glad that many old friends re-entered my life in 2006. This year has really taught be the difference between nominal and true friends. To those who have been by my side during my time of need, thank you. I promise repay you in due time.
9. New Experiences
This post is getting pretty long, so I will just say that I feel that I have greatly broadened my horizons in 2006. My friends have exposed me to a variety of new experiences this year; consequently, I feel that my life has been greatly enriched.
10. Outlook on 2007
I am very optimistic about 2007. I sincerely think it is going to be one of the best years of my life.
III. 2007 Resolutions
I’ll post these while watching bowl games tomorrow.
I. Synopsis
Overall, I am glad that 2006 will soon be in the history books. It was, for the most part, a tough year for me; I suffered a number of setbacks in different areas of my life. Nonetheless, I think that the challenges I faced this year helped mold me into a stronger person. I also recognize that my problems are not nearly as severe as the hardships that confront many other Americans (not to mention the vast majority of the world's population).
II. Thanksgiving
Although I have been pretty negative in my analysis of 2006, I have a lot to be grateful for. Here is a Reader's Digest version of the good things that happened to me in '06:
1. My Family
While my mother's physical health deteriorated this year, her mental health has improved over the course of the past few months. Also, my autistic siblings have made remarkable progress in the last few weeks. Finally, I am grateful that the four year feud between my mother and her parents has finally come to an end. While my family is still consumed by conflict, the resolution of this dispute is welcome news.
2. Academics
I would have liked to have been able to devote more time to my studies last year. Unfortunately, events required me to neglect my books from time to time. I, however, got lucky; my GPA only suffered a slight dip. I earned a total of 10 As, 1 A-, and 1 B in 2006. While there is room for improvement, I am generally pleased my academic performance. If I do decently well on the LSAT, I should be able to get into a good law school.
3. MPA
In July, I was officially admitted into UGA's graduate school. If I pass my comp exams, I will graduate with a MPA in 2007.
4. Summer Internship/ Child Safety Initiative
I really enjoyed my summer internship this year. I had the pleasure of working with some very dedicated and talented individuals. Moreover, I authored and helped secure the adoption of the Governor Perdue's Child Safety Initiative. Inspired by the success of Peachtree City's Internet Safety Task Force, the CSI will triple the number of GBI agents devoted to the pursuit of online sexual predators. I hope that the increase in GBI resources will eventually prevent hundreds of Georgia's children from being molested, tortured, and murdered by internet perverts.
5. High School Debate Tournament
In January, the Demosthenian Literary Society hosted the first-ever Demosthenian Classic, which featured a variety of high school speech and debate events. Overall, I think it was a smashing success. If nothing else, it planted the seed for a larger tournament in the years to come. I am so grateful that my fellow Demosthenians helped me turn my dream of hosting a high school debate tournament into a reality.
The second annual Dem Classic will be held this January.
6. The Republican Reformation
For the past few years, I have been disenchanted with the GOP. I felt that much of the Republican leadership had abandoned conservative (and basic ethical) principles in order to obtain power. While I hate to see incompetent and corrupt Democrats run Congress for the next two years, I think the GOP will really benefit from some time in the political wilderness. I plan to play a small role in the coming Republican Reformation next year.
I understand, of course, that there is very little that a 21 year college kid can do to change the course of American politics. My recent election as chairman of UGA CR (the largest student-political organization in the USA), however, has provided me with an opportunity to become a leading voice for reform within the College Republican community. UGA CR, if everything goes according to plan, will improve the health of the conservative movement by becoming the vanguard of the effort to develop a new generation of principled and ethical grassroots leaders. More on this later…
7. Increased knowledge about Atlanta
During my life, I have been fortunate enough to see a great deal of the world. I have visited Europe, the South Pacific, Australia, Canada, Mexico, and a few countries in South and Central America and the Caribbean. I have also visited 45 out 50 U.S. states.
Until this year, however, I had never visited Sandy Springs. In fact, I knew next to nothing about the North Metro area. After traveling all over Atlanta this summer, I now feel really comfortable maneuvering around my home city.
8. Friendships
I’ve recently realized that I spent way too much time mourning lost friendships this year. I should be really thankful for the new friends I’ve made in my final year of college. Also, I am really glad that many old friends re-entered my life in 2006. This year has really taught be the difference between nominal and true friends. To those who have been by my side during my time of need, thank you. I promise repay you in due time.
9. New Experiences
This post is getting pretty long, so I will just say that I feel that I have greatly broadened my horizons in 2006. My friends have exposed me to a variety of new experiences this year; consequently, I feel that my life has been greatly enriched.
10. Outlook on 2007
I am very optimistic about 2007. I sincerely think it is going to be one of the best years of my life.
III. 2007 Resolutions
I’ll post these while watching bowl games tomorrow.