2009: The Best Year of My Life (thus far)

12.31.09 11:59PM
One minute to go until the world ushers in 2010 (well, at least the US Eastern Time Zone). As we prepared to ring in the new year, I keep hearing people say how much they hated 2009. How much 2009 sucked. Well, I would have to say I wholeheartedly disagree. Sure, the economy collapsed and Jon and Kate Gosselin got divorced, but personally, 2009 was the best year of my life.
I flew to Maryland for the weekend to spend time with my sister before she left for Uganda (I ended up staying for an additional day due to snow delays).
I went to California for spring break with my roommates and met Mr. Cooper at the Atlanta airport.
I got my heart broken. Picked myself up, told myself to get my shit together, and soldiered on.
I turned 21 (LEGAL WHAT), had my very first surprise party thrown in my honor, and battled depression by going skydiving alone (needless to say, it worked).
I tried casual dating for the first time.
I studied abroad in Cannes, France, where I spent a month frolicking on the beaches of the French Riviera and red carpet premieres of films in official competition. I consumed dangerous amounts of wine, cheese and chocolate cookies. I had a layover in Dusseldorf, Germany, where I encountered the nicest people in the history of this universe. I sipped morning coffee in France, gobbled a spaghetti lunch in Italy, and licked a luxurious gelato cone in Monaco (all in one day... it is possible). Cannes was a beautiful whirlwind.
I hopped on a plane back to Atlanta, spotted Linda Hogan at the Atlanta airport (wanna see D-list celebs? Go to Hartsfield-Jackson Airport). Attended a friend's birthday party, then hopped on a plane to California for my NBC Universal internship.
I spent 2 months in Los Angeles with the most incredible internship and an unquenchable thirst for more adventures. I was clearly on a high from my adventures in Cannes. I attended a taping of the "Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien," visited the set "The Office," and worked at the NBCU Press Tour. I was at my intern desk when I found out about Michael Jackson's death. I had weekly dates with one of my favorite people in the entire world. I went to Vegas for the most epic 4th of July weekend with some pretty epic party people.
I returned to Georgia to finish up my last semester at the fine institution of the University of Georgia. I fell hard for the love of football. Still trying to learn everything that I can about the sport. I baked homemade red velvet cupcakes for the first time. I dressed up as Darth Vader for Halloween. Grace and I got into a verbal altercation with two douchebags while defending women all over the world. I conducted my first PR campaign with a pretty awesome team of 12 people.
My sister got married, bought a house, and started talking about babies. Producing them, that is.
I went to the Falcons/Panthers game, where the Falcons dominated. It's always nice to have a Falcons win in the Georgia Dome.
I attended the U2/Muse concert, fulfilling my life dream of seeing Muse in live concert.
I attended my very first Hawks game, where the Hawks won in OT.
I graduated from the University of Georgia.
I realized how much I'm going to miss my family, friends and 2009.

Now I'm packing to move across the country. I've already shipped my car, and now I'm scrambling to squeeze in quality time with my lovely friends+family before I leave on Saturday morning. I have no doubt that 2010 will be great, but it will be tough to top everything that happened in 2009.
Do I have any resolutions for 2010? Well, there are the usuals: hitting the gym, stop eating so much damn cheesecake. But, there is something that I would like to accomplish. It's not really much of a year-long resolution; it is a lifetime commitment.

I want to be fearless. I want to be original. I want to be fierce. I want to be the best. And who else to look up to than Uncle Karl?

Happy New Year.