10 Firsts for 2009

At the end of each year I like to take an inventory of all the new things I did for the first time. 2009 had a lot of ups and downs. JamSmooth is still standing strong. 2010 will be a good year. How do I know? Because I’m going to work hard to make it that way. Here are my firsts for 2009.

1. First time to Cambodia. This trip included with it many other firsts. First time: flying Korean Air, to Seoul, South Korea, seeing Angkor Watt and first time speaking Khmer.

2. First time getting laid off. In 2009 the economy hit home, at least for me. Thought I was safe. I thought wrong. However the experience was rewarding in many other ways.

3. First time at SxSW. Great time. Great music, food, atmosphere and city. Looking forward to going again.

4. Joining Toastmasters. I started Toastmasters in October with a bang. I’ve already given 3 speeches, been Toastmaster, General Evaluator, Timer and Ah-Counter / Grammarian. Toastmasters is going to benefit me in numerous ways.

5. Reading consistently. I’m a bit of a self-help junkie. For years I’ve listened to Brian Tracy talk about the importance of reading every day yet I never read. This year I did. I read for 30 minutes every day. In about 6 months I’ve read 14 books, just reading 30 minutes a day.

6. Cutting my own hair. This year I joined the “Balding Guys Hair Club.” I wanted to do this for a while but I didn’t know if I could rock it. My buddy Adam came over with the clippers and since then I’ve been cutting my own hair. The feedback has been nothing but positive.

7. Sweat lodge. Before I left for Cambodia my pal Ginny invited me to a sweat lodge. We did 3, 20 minute sessions in the piping hot tent. It was one of the most relaxing and spiritual things I’ve ever done and I will definitely do it again.

8. Making Kombucha. Back in 2006 a friend introduced me to his homemade Kombucha. Later I saw GT’s Kombucha at Sevananda. I drank GT’s regularly and because of its high price, about $3.50 a bottle, I started making my own. The drink has numerous health benefits.

9. First job at the mall. I never would’ve dreamed I’d end up working at the mall. Thankfully I work at the best store in the mall. Since I love being around people and people watching I’ve enjoyed it.

10. First time tracking every dollar spent all year. My pastor, Andy Stanley, talked about how he and his wife have tracked every single dollar they’ve ever spent as a couple. His point is how can you track your spending if every dollar doesn’t have a name? Dave Ramsey says the same thing. This year I used my iPhone to keep track of cash expenses and Quicken to record where every dollar went. The only way you can get a handle on where you money goes is to name every dollar.

See ya 2009. You’ve been unforgettable but 2010 will pwn you.