Another year will go by

It is almost the end of the year. 2007 is a year full of excitement and "first time".

1. I made my first trip to Europe this year. I believe this was Dave's second time in Europe. But this was our first time to go to Italy. I was thinking about this trip since I was 15.

2. I went back to China the first time after starting working. It was Dave's first time to meet my parents. They like Dave very much. I was so glad to show him around Hangzhou, the city where I grew up and which I am so proud of.

3. We also did a road trip from Indiana to the west coast. My first time to visit states, such as Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, etc.

4. This is the first year I have capital gains in the stock market thanks to Apple. I bought myself an iPod touch as a reward.

5. I did my first 10k in Shelborne Falls and my first half marathon in Chicago. I am planning three races for 2008.

6. I am also into dancing. Took my first jazz dance class this year, as well. I already registered for a modern dance class and a drawing class starting January.

7. This is also the first year I have ever experienced the pressure resulting from company acquisition. Many of you may have heard Biogen Idec, the company I am working at, was up for sale for 2 months. For a moment, I thought I would lose my job and had to find something again. But in the end, nothing occurred.

8. I cooked my first Italian dish this year.

9. We made donation to Heifer and they will purchase a cow for someone in a developing country. The receiver of this cow will give the first baby cow to someone else as a gift.

10. Dave and I built our first blog together to share our life with our families and friends.

However, Grandpa Rensberger passed away in September. This was the saddest thing of the year. This is the first Christ mas without him. We miss him.

Happy holidays, everyone.