It seems like it was just the other day that I was preparing a year end reflection for 2012 – and now it’s time for me to do the same for 2013. These years fly by… and they only accelerate as time goes on. I still vividly remember my late night chat into the wee hours of the morning on January 1st, 2013. That was a good night, and I still smile thinking back to it.
It’s hard to believe another year is in the books. Every year since 2010, I’ve compared the concluding year to the year before. It has seemed that since 2009, every year has been exponentially better than the previous. Well, that is if you can quantify “better”. But let’s not do a quantitative analysis…
Here we are at the threshold to 2014, and as I look back upon 2013 and recall the adventures, the good times, the bad times, and the changes the year brought upon me professionally and personally.
Travel wise, I had the privilege of joining IGNITE on their first annual IGNITE Abroad trip to Hong Kong. After the trip, I was able to connect with David and Yoselin from high school and give my friends from ERAU a tour of San Francisco.
Also, my family established a presence in Phoenix, AZ enabling me to spend more time in that metro area. I turned 21 in 2013, and I spent my birthday in PHX with my friend Jonathan and my family, and it was definitely a fun time.
I had the pleasure of attending the AAAE annual conference this year in Reno, NV, and was able to develop a friendship with the other student from my school, William, who attended the conference with me. Ever since then, he has become one of my best friends at ERAU. Speaking of airports, who can forget our tour of MIA (including the American Airlines 777, and the infamous Howard Johnson Experience) or my amazing internship with the San Diego Airport over the summer?
I also had the opportunity to meet Jessica, who up until April did not even believe I existed. Apparently, I was the “Elusive Eric Harmatz” whose presence was only tweeted about. Through Jessica, I met Jeremy and together with Paul (and Jacob, in December) we were able to explore the San Diego craft beer scene.
2013 also brought a lot of career hunting, which ramped up as I filed my intention to graduate in the Spring. After careful consideration and traveling across the country to interviews, I have accepted a position in Atlanta, GA starting in Summer 2014!
It’s definitely going to be different – relocating from SAN to ATL (by means of DAB). But it’s a journey I’m excited to be making.
As we get ready to begin 2014, and my final semester in college, it’s important to realize that these days are limited. My New Years Resolution is to enjoy the present more, and not to get too caught up in the past or too scared of the future.
Who knows what 2014 will have in store. But let’s take it one day at a time. In just 365 days, I’ll have a report on 2014. Let’s hope it’s a good one.
Thanks to my amazing friends for making 2013 awesome. I look forward to seeing you all in 2014.
Onward and Upwards into the New Year,
Eric
