In 2008...

• I earned a 20% pay raise at work.
• I bought a car.
• I was accepted into a master's program at Villanova.
• I fell in love and watched her break my heart with an ice-cold shoulder.
• I saw a classic '70s band in concert.
• I went to a Corvette show to see 700 models spanning 70 years.
• I began investing in the stock market.
• I had a scathing argument with my brother that left me shaking with anger.
• I reconnected, in a small way, with my first girlfriend, whom I hadn't seen in 15 years.
• I watched the greatest fireworks show I'd ever seen over the Philly art museum.
• I went on two remarkably awkward dates.
• I got drunker than I've ever been, only to feel shame the next day.
• I went on vacation to Bethany Beach, Delaware, for the first time in nearly a decade.
• I trained for a 5k race, only to have the weather keep me from running it.
• I made hot wings for the first time that were so hot our lips hurt eating them.
• I fell victim to a Rock Band 2 addiction.
• I watched the Phillies win an improbable World Series championship.
• I crammed myself into a crowed of a million to watch the subsequent World Series parade.
• I break danced at my friends' wedding and won a $20 bet in the process.
• I stayed up to watch the first black man become president of the United States.
• I watched Michael Phelps sneak away with a record 8 Olympic gold medals.
• I witnessed my dad perform a circus golf swing, inadvertently striking the ball twice and sending it backward over his shoulder.
• I have lost some friends, while gaining some others.
• I lost, then regained, then lost my faith.

And likely, so much more has happened this year that I simply can't remember right now. I consider 2008 a year of growth. I learned how to live on my own, decided to enter graduate school, felt the joy of love and the sting of a broken heart. I learned how to think of myself as a man, rather than as a kid. The year gave me days of happiness, of sadness, of anger and regret. But this is what shapes us.

I hope 2009 brings more for me, for you, and for all those you care about. Happy New Year, everyone.

Graduate School

It has been a long time since I posted here. My apologies to my loyal legion of fans....

The news of the day: I have been accepted into the M.A. in English Literature program at Villanova University. Some of you may know that I decided early this year that I wanted to pursue a master's degree, then a doctorate, and eventually start a career as an English professor. This is step one.

I put everything on Villanova, the only place I applied to. I didn't have a back-up plan, had Villanova said no. Good thing it didn't matter.

Initially, I planned to begin in fall 2009, but if I can secure financing, I've decided to start in the spring, which would mean mid-January. So soon! Hopefully I'll be able to finish the program in two years, taking classes at night while continuing to work full time at my current job. My boss has been very supportive and told me in no uncertain terms that he would be flexible with my schedule, if the need arises, so that I can go to school.

I feel lucky. I have a good job with a boss who work with me to ensure that my education plans can proceed freely, even though my chosen direction will necessarily take me away from this job in a few years. I got into the school I wanted. I've already been happy lately, and now I'm even happier.

While at Messiah, I never thought I'd enter an English literature program, but things change. I feel confident that I can do well, but I know it'll take a lot out of me. It'll be a challenge, but I'm up for it.

At the moment, my top choice for a doctorate is Cornell University, which has the third-ranked literary theory curriculum in the country (behind only Duke and UC-Berkeley). I don't know if Ivy League is dreaming too big, but I think I have no reason to discredit the notion right now.

I don't know what will happen in the coming years. All I can do is take chances, believe in myself, and hope for the best.