Why was 2010 fire-truckin' brilliant for me?

I've changed in the last year.  Not intellectually.  Not maturity-wise.  Not because of college. 

What marked the change was working for Zinch in San Francisco.  Immersing myself in the startup community was the first time I'd ever found a group I could connect with socially and intellectually who were my own age.  I had a blast.  

More importantly, I made new friends whom I'm sure I'll know for life.  I figured out what I want to do after college: I'll be going straight back to San Francisco and work for a startup.  The entrepreneurs I met are some of smartest, passionate, and mature people I know.  I'm humbled to be able to work amongst such amazing individuals. 

The other big event in my life was going off to Hendrix College.  I've enjoyed college, but I don't feel like my time in Arkansas has contributed to my transformation as much as my time in San Francisco did.  If anything, college changed was the fact that I no longer live at home.  I'd been away from my parents for four months in France, but I (and they) knew I'd be coming home following that sojourn.  

When I left in August, I knew I wouldn't be coming back.  I said goodbye to the town, people, and community I grew up in.  Of course, I'm at my childhood home at the moment, but I no longer consider it home for I am only here for a temporary time--until January 18th. 

2010 was a fire-truckin' brilliant! 

And 2011 shall be better.

I look forward to finishing my first year of college and going back to work in San Francisco.  I'll be abroad in Fall, though I'm not sure where I'll be yet.  I'm excited to have the chance to live abroad again! Will I be in Ghana, Iceland, or Bulgaria? 

On verra. (We'll see)