Top 10 Highlights of 2008 (in no particular order)

1. It is December 31, and the 2008 year-end reflection list is complete
2. Raced 136.4 miles in 13 different events.  Still on fire following a sweltering Chicago Marathon performance, the major running accomplishment was a 4.5 minute half-marathon personal best in Philadelphia (1.37:35 unofficially, 1:40:20 officially), despite missing the turn-off for the half-marathon finish line and continuing along the full-marathon course.  Resolution for 2009 is to eliminate unintentional detours and grow a sense of direction.
3. Two trips to Colorado this year, including a mid-August vacation planned around my "little sister's" wedding and my mother’s 10^th Annual 50^th Birthday Party.  Key takeaway is that Boulder in late summer is much warmer and sunnier than Boulder in December, so plan your trips accordingly.
4. Celebrated Christmas with the family on gem of a non-airline-frequent-flyer-miles blackout-date-weekend in early December.  The next day we lit off fireworks, uncorked a champagne bottle, fired up the grill, dyed some eggs, and baked cupcakes just to cover our bases for the rest of the year.
5. Became an official charter holder after earning a CAIA designation (the “alternative cousin” of the Chartered Financial Analyst program).  Now striving for as many letters after my name as actually in my name, so began studying for the “C” in the CFA exam, a three-level process (and minimum 3-year commitment)  
6. Fortunately still gainfully employed in the never-a-dull-moment financial industry, following one decision to sell a business, one highly anticipated merger, one strategic re-alignment from sales to the strategy team, and one gigantic credit crisis/consumer-driven recession.  Biggest misconception about working for a French bank in New York City is the mythical 35-hour work week and the 2-hour lunches over a bottle of wine.  Yes, and the tooth-fairy is also French.
7. Bought 615 ft² of bliss in a Manhattan studio just off of Central Park with a view across the Hudson River and a piano.  Feel incredibly grown up with all the painting, decorating, cleaning, cooking, and mortgage paying. 
8. Re-kindled a relationship…same two people, just three years older, wiser, and better.  
9. Memorable moments with houseguests include my sister & brother-in-law who graciously indulged me on a 12-mile sightseeing walking tour, 2 visits from Mom, including a Thanksgiving layover with her fiancée, Ralph, reconnecting twice with my cousin Melony (and the respective apartment baby-proofing for her 1-and-3-year old boys), and a bit of Boulder chez moi with two of my childhood best friends (and besides, when else would I get to go to a Jewish Orthodox wedding in Brooklyn?)
10. Thankful, as always, for health and happiness, and the joy of being surrounded by wonderful loving people.  Hoping that 2009 brings just as much pleasure as this past year, though fully confident that whatever the New Year may bring, there will be no lack of excitement.