2004: A Look Back

Happy 2005, everyone! As I write this, Team Sugar Bowl and I are getting ready to head to bed and get rested up for the big trip. I've already had a great few days with Gina up in Kensington, but I'll be relaying all that stuff as I transcribe the Road Journal for this whole shindig later. For now, I wanted to post my thoughts about 2004 as a whole, and what's in store for 2005.

I'll remember 2004 as being a year of preparation. I started it out ready to finish co-opping and start focusing on my last year of college. Gina and I began it together in Suffolk, a visit that spawned a pretty nifty mix CD. I'll also remember the tough start to the spring semester, which saw Gina and Ben having to take time off from school. Gina thankfully pulled through her surgery, though, and both she and Ben were able to join the Singers on our 30th Anniversary tour. Traveling through Florida was outstanding, with a terrific group of people, and we had a great time. I'll remember growing closer to Gina even though we didn't get to see each other very often for a few months.

I'll remember 2004 for the awesome summer, for the Hershey Park road trip and all the fun times with everyone who stayed in Blacksburg. I'll remember this year for the challenges I faced as President of Wesley for the first and second times. I'll remember it for being a part of a group that pulled off a 30th Anniversary celebration with very few hitches, and for Wesley surviving some times that threatened to pull our organization apart. I'll remember the friends I didn't get a chance to see very often and the ones that I became closer to over these last twelve months. I'll remember my grade in SQC hinging on the strength of a rubber band... and triumphing over it all, anyway. I had my best semester yet academically this fall, and I'll certainly remember how proud my parents were of me. I'll certainly remember the strength of my parents as they dealt with my aging grandmother and the difficult decision to move her into a nursing home. I'll remember a deadly tsunami that killed so many people, and a devastating conflict in Iraq that many people disagreed with. I'll remember stressing about getting a job and my first few "real" interviews. The Red Sox. The Hokies!

As for 2005, I remain hopeful in landing a solid job and for finishing my college career with a bang. I hope to see an end to the division that this past election and war has caused, and hopefully the hostilities in Iraq can finally find some closure. In 2005, I will graduate college and, most likely, move into my first real apartment and the "real" world. Holy moly.

I could go on and on like this, but I just want to wrap up with a few best of moments:

Best 2004 Countdown Memory: Regis Philbin yelling and screaming about the orange hats that seemingly everyone in Times Square was wearing. "Look out for the orange hats, Tim! They're closing in on you!" It was definitely surreal.

Best New Song: Snow Patrol - "Run"

Best Sports Moment: The Hokies' win over UVA, setting the stage for the ACC Championship showdown with Miami. It was my last home game as a student. I almost made it to the field!

Best Road Trip: Since the Sugar Bowl trip lands in 2005, I will have to go with the Hershey Park trip in July.

That's it for 2004. Take care, kiddies, and I look forward to blogging plenty more in the '05. All the best to you.