“Amazing Awaits” is the theme for my 2010. There is so much to not only celebrate from 2009, but to look forward to in 2010! Here are just a few of the things that I’m either looking forward to or working towards.
2009 was an amazing year for myself and Finding Focus. I had a goal when the year began to write 52 blog posts, one per week. I am happy to say that I shattered my goal. My total number of posts ended up at 126 posts, not to mention the 50 FOCUS posts that come each Thursday.
Last year I started what I believe will end up as a very fun tradition here at Finding Focus. I created the Dedor Awards and 2008 was the inaugural year. We only awarded a few categories and I’m sure over the years I’ll add more and more, just for the fun of it. At the end of this post, I will list the winners, so if you don’t want to watch the video unveiling the winners, just read on.
Otherwise, watch the video below to see the winners of the 2009 Dedor Awards. You can then read the explanation underneath the video. Here’s to a fantastic 2009 and congrats to all our winners!
This year’s nominees are from three completely separate genres. I began the year wih Sheff’s book chronicling his life with his teenage son, a drug addict. Gladwell’s latest masterpiece was an extremely interesting and entertaining look at how success is determined in life. According to Gladwell, it can be because of birth, culture or pure hard work. Finally, a book I began in 2008 and finished in 2009 was the historical fiction work of Stone. He chronicles the magnificent Michelangelo. From his early years to his late struggles with multiple Popes. While a tough read, I learned more about one of the world’s greatest artists and what makes an artist the passionate person they are. This year’s winner is an oldie, but a book I would recommend to everyone, The Agony and the Ecstasy.
Best Sports Moment:
Past Winner: Matthew Mitcham wins Gold 2009 Nominees: Wimbledon Men’s Final, US Open Men’s Final, US Open Women’s Final
Yes you read the 2009 nominees correctly, all three are tennis events. Other potential nominees include Jimmy Johnson’s record fourth-straight NASCAR Cup Title or the Yankees winning the World Series again, but these three stand out in my mind.
In the Wimbledon Men’s Final, Roger Federer returned to the fortnight to reclaim his ground taken from him in 2008. Andy Roddick did all he could in an all-or-nothing fifth set, but couldn’t prevail. In both the men’s and the women’s US Open finals, former champions were on center stage. Federer and returning ace, Kim Clijsters. Federer was beaten by Juan Martin Del Potro and Clijsters stormed back to the women’s game, winning her second US Open. This year’s winner is an easy choice: Kim Clijsters wins the US Open.
Artist of the Year:
Past Winner: Coldplay (Viva la Vida) 2009 Nominees: Switchfoot (Hello Hurricane), Nathanael Porembka, The Office (Subtle Sexuality)
For those who know me well, know that Switchfoot is hands down my favorite band. This year they came out with their much anticipated album Hello Hurricane. It did not disappoint. My boyfriend Nathanael Porembka is also a nominee because of his senior fashion these, “The Dawn of Man.” You can watch the show here, but it was moving, emotional and brilliant. The final nominee is the Subtle Sexuality by The Office. I was apprehensive at first, but can I just say that this television show has changed the way we interact and enjoy a sitcom? Amazing! This year’s award goes to my friend and boyfriend, Nathanael Porembka.
Person of the Year:
Past Winner: Barack Obama
This is obviously the toughest award to select. I could pick President Obama again because he has had a busy year. But there are a few others who could be on this list. I could honor Sarah Palin or Nancy Pelosi, but those are all political. This year, I want to honor someone who always amazes me with their ability to add clarity in a blurry world. This year’s honoree is the lead singer of my favorite band, Jon Foreman. With their latest work, Hello Hurricane, Foreman and his band, Switchfoot, have again asked daring life questions, and have done their best to answer them. Their words always help me to question my own personal life and the battles I fight.
Congratulations to all of those who made 2009 the memorable year it was.
This decade now comes to a close; what will 2010-2019 bring … it will soon be history, but lets be sure to live it.
2009 is almost in the books! What an amazing year it has been and how amazing the future looks! I can hardly imagine what is possible, but I know anything is! A lot more happened this year than I thought possible… so here is just a glimpse.
1. I Can Run!
I began 2009 with a plan to run more. I didn’t figure I’d play much tennis, so I wanted to be more physically active. Nathanael gave me the Nike+ Running “friend” for my birthday in January and what has happened is nothing short of amazing!
This first image is from April… My runs are averaging about 1.8 miles per run.
Jump forward to today and I’m averaging about 3.2 miles per run and just set a personal best for distance and mile pace. This year I’ve run (as of mid-December) 284 miles and spent more than 45 hours running. My goal was 275 miles, so I’m pleased and surprised with my final results. Next year will be more of the same, but I’m going to work on my consistency.
2. Reading is Awesome!
In 2008, I had a goal to read 20 books. I didn’t hit that mark. In 2009, I had a goal of 12 and while I came up a bit short, I read two 700+ page books, all the while writing my own and being a freelancer and writing 3-4 posts a week here at Finding Focus. All told, it was a wonderful year of growth for me. My goal will remain 10 books for 2010 and I already have that stack started. My favorites from this year included my one political read, Team of Rivals, as well as Outliers, Beautiful Boy and Agony and the Ecstasy.
3. World-Class Athletes are Very Humble
This year I had to amazing good fortune to fill in at the last minute at the US Open USTA Wheelchair Championships. I had never seen any wheelchair sport in person and I was skeptical. Not anymore. You can see some of my photos from the event. I will forever be a fan of this sport now. The best part aside from meeting some amazing people, were the athletes themselves. These were the best wheelchair tennis players in the world! Just having conversations with them over lunch and at the hotel… they are the most humble, relaxed and kind athletes I’ve ever met.
4. Challenging Yourself Brings Results
I’ve written numerous times this year (here and here) about how deciding to chase after a passion, painting, has resulted in some really cool opportunities. I’ve also had a chance to join a local writing group which has challenged me to be an even better writer, but also allowed me to learn about other writers. Both these passions have given me much this year, and I will continue to challenge myself next year to see where things can go.
5. Be True to Who You Are
This has been an extraordinary year for gay rights. In April, The Iowa Supreme Court ruled in favor of gay marriage. Other states also took steps and some still took steps backwards. But just this month, our nation’s capital legalized gay marriage. My friends have been amazingly supportive of my own personal and family struggles this year, and while it hasn’t been the easiest year at times, I remain true to who I am, which helps me be true to the world.
6. Thou Must Giveth
I’ve been out of college for four years now and this is the first year that I actually gave earnestly to charities. I hope it is a trend that will continue. It began with Kiva back in the early spring. Then this fall, I ran a campaign called, OneStream, which you can still join and support entrepreneurs around the world. To date, I have given nearly $150 in loans around the world. In addition, I donated money to Heifer International this year for a few Christmas gifts.
As 2009 ends, I’m looking forward to an amazing 2010. I remember back on December 31, 1999, sitting in my bedroom at my parents’ house, watching the celebrations around the world as each major city welcomed the new millennium. I now welcome a new decade. In the past decade I have graduated from high school, graduated from college, started my own company, written a book, came out and showed my work in an art show. But most of all, I think what I will take from 2000-2009, is that I found love. I found it in the strangest of places and in the closest of friends. I can only imagine what 2010-2019 will bring. I welcome the journey.
