One plus to having your birthday so close to Christmas, is that it easily coincides with the turning of a new year. So not only do you get to forget the previous calendar year, you double up and move on to the next chronological year in life as well. This is especially true when you turn 29, as I have just done. So, this is my combined ‘Year in Review’ and ‘Things to do before I’m 30′ post.

Honestly, I really only have one goal, beat Mike Tyson. See, I’ve never beaten Mike Tyson in the original Punch Out. I’ve really enjoyed my 20’s, and I’ve achieved a lot of my goals, but this one thing, if I don’t do before I’m 30, I may never forgive myself.

In all seriousness, I really don’t have a lot on my 30 list. A friend gave me the best advice, and it was this: “Rather than making a list, why don’t you just make it a point to take advantage of every opportunity that presents itself.” Good advice, and that is what I will do. Maybe I’ll be a little bit like Jim Carrey in Yes Man, I’ll have to force myself out of my comfort zone and say yes more. After all, this is the last year I can do something stupid and have this excuse: “Ehh, it was my 20’s!”

2009 sucked. Let’s just throw that out there. Maybe that’s harsh, and nothing really horrible happened, but really, nothing notable happened, and that was just boring. Not a lot of highlights to the year, which I am disappointed in. But for the sake of the year in review post, let’s highlight some things.

The Cubs were horrible, embarrassing even. Yet, no matter how much they suck, I still well up with excitement that I get to go to Wrigley Field whenever I want. Hey, we’re Cubs fans, we’re used to it, but no one can deny that a sunny day in the bleachers still tops most summer activities.

I only visited one new city this year, Nashville. It was ok, lots of country music! This year, I need to visit some more cities on the top of my list. Boston, San Diego, Seattle, and Portland to name a few.

Probably the saddest thing about 2009, I had 5 friends move! Five is a lot, especially if almost all of them were close, hanging out most weekends types. This was disappointing, but they are all moved on to bigger and better things. But, the silver lining, I still have a few friends around, and this is a great opportunity to meet new friends, which is also on my 2010 list.

Here’s a positive thing, I feel like I made a lot of strides in my software development, becoming more of an expert on my main language, Ruby on Rails. In the following year, I’d like to keep up that pace, and start to learn another language, maybe Python or Cocoa.

I also am happy to be more involved in Park Community Church. I’m beginning to meet a lot of great people there, including my small group of guys that meet each week. I hope to get more involved with their community projects, and the like.

Needless to say, I’m happy that 2009 is over, and ready to move on to 2010, and year 29. Here’s to taking advantage of every opportunity!

So, on my way home for the holidays and thinking about how quickly this holiday season came and went. And how I feel like I didn’t really soak it all in, as we all rarely do. But then I thought of a few awesome moments that made my holiday season:

- Had my parents up for Thanksgiving and we kicked off the holiday season right. Lincoln Park Zoo Lights, the tree at Daley Plaza, a choir singing Christmas carols in Millenium Park, and oh yeah, Christmas shopping on State St! Perfect.

- Threw a Christmas party for all my friends. But this wasn’t just any holiday party, this was a classy, suit-up kind of party. It was a huge success, and everyone looked awesome in their cocktail dresses and suits. But more importantly, I had all my friends together for a night of Yuletide fun.

- I went and found the Home Alone house! Need I say more? It was literally a dream come true. We also saw the bridge he walks across to get groceries and the church that he hides in the manger scene.

- Last but not least, I am now home hanging with the family. Good food, opening gifts, Wii Rock Band with the nephews. It’s gonna be a great way to end the decade.

Merry Christmas