I have mixed feelings about the kind of articles and stories that get put out this time of year. Endless “Best of the Year” and “Worst of the Year” lists, arbitrary rankings and round-ups are written by every newspaper, magazine, and blog. On the surface it looks like lazy journalism simply replace the year from 2010 to 2011, scratch off George Clooney and write-in Ryan Gosling. The whole act feels so formulaic. The fact it’s the last week of the year means you can almost expect a “Top News Stories of 2011” story with as much surprise as hearing boos at Kris Humphres at a Nets game.
However my pal Renan offered a good point: if we didn’t have best of lists, how would we remember everything that happened this year.
It’s good to look back, not for too long, but long enough to give the past 12 months some context and have it help us figure out how we want to live the next 12 and beyond.
So let’s take a look at the past 12 months/52 weeks/365 days of Pho and figure out what just happened.
Work
There were some big ups and downs this year but ultimately this was a great year for me career-wise. I made some big accomplishments, kicked some major ass, and grew a lot at NMS. I’ll touch upon all the travel and trips later but the highlight of my work year has to be winning the NMS Ass-Kicker award back in October. It was a complete surprise but I am proud to have my work at NMS recognized. The award also came with an experience of a lifetime: opening the trading day at the New York Stock Exchange. That probably ranks up there in top moments of the year (if I was keeping track of that or something).
That and ending up on my college’s website.
The bar has been set this past year, and 2012 I’m going to do my best to meet it, if not blast it away.
Social Media
I didn’t blog as much as I would of like to in 2011. That’s because I’ve been spending more time on Twitter & YouTube. In 2011 I decided to put more effort into my YouTube channel. I met some amazing friends and learned a lot about vlogging when I decided to vlog everyday in August. I also had not just one, but two videos top 50,000 views on my YouTube channel. This past summer I went to Chicago to speak about video at the 20SB Summit and this past fall I spoke about social media at the PRSA National Conference in Orlando.
My visits on TBD ended but my visits on NBC Washington started. It’s been a dream of mine to do a media hit on CNN or MSNBC, and I got a bit closer to that dream when I helped out my Brazen Careerist friends with a CNN story.
Social Media has continued to enrich my life with all sort of memories, from weird eating challenges to receiving an entire shipment of PopChips. I’m getting better and better every year with this social media game- in 2012 I hope to take that game to the next level.
Friends
2011 was a year for some momentous occasions and tragic losses. Some of my friends got married, some got engaged, some even had babies. Others moved away from DC and others moved back to DC. Bottom line though, I am ever so thankful for the circle of friends I have here, there, everywhere.
Taking ridiculous photos of my co-workers? Love it.
Going to Jay’s Saloon with my roommates? We might become regulars.
A week on the OBX with 20 friends? An annual tradition.
Shooting guns with my DC friends? The start of gun fever.
Karaoke? Always welcome.
Family
There was big loss in my family this year with the passing of my grandmother. Besides that it was great to spend time with the fam, like experiencing all the steam punk things Diana does in Brooklyn or trimming the tree back at home. There’s nothing new otherwise- all of my siblings are in college/grad school. My parents are now empty nesters who are growing bamboo plants in place of us. Just your typical Asian family.
Love
While some bloggers can write epic poems about their year in love, mine was very quiet. I put my energy into so many other things- dating wasn’t one of them. There was an odd theme this year of people trying to fix me up with girls.
I need to get my act together in 2012 before my parents get me in an arranged marriage.
Theatre
This year I focused more on reviewing theatre than stage managing. I did stage manage a show on Capital Hill that went fantastic. I also got to attend the Washington DC Theatre event of the year: Drama Prom! However I’ve already decided I want to concentrate more on reviews in the upcoming year, for now I’m going to put stage managing on hold.
Of course until somebody asks me to do a show I can’t turn down.
Travel & Special Events
2011 was a very busy year for me travel wise. I took about 23 trips and traveled over 31,000 miles. Here are the highlights in photos:
Las Vegas, NV – SHOT Show
Detroit, MI – Many trips for work
Boston, MA – Mike & Becky’s Wedding
Austin, TX – SXSW
Denver, CO
Hatteras, NC – OBX Season 5
Troy, MI – Carlisle, PA Road Trip
Des Moines, IA
Nashville, TN
Chicago, IL – 20SB Conference
Las Vegas, NV - Falkor’s Bachelor Party
Warrenton, NC – Diana and Brett’s Wedding
Mystic, CT – Sarah & Falkor’s Wedding
Orlando, FL – PRSA Conference
New York, NY – NYSE Social Media Day
Atlanta, GA – SEC Championship Game
I also spent a lot of time at bars.
Well it’s time to close on 2011, it was a great year and I know 2012 will be even better!
