A decade ago, we were all afraid that every computer in the world was going to go haywire because they wouldn't be able to figure out the "2" at the beginning of the date. A decade ago, I was single, living in the smallest basement apartment you could imagine, going out three or four nights a week, eating Extreme Pita for dinner a few times a week and constantly in a state of angst. A decade ago, I was 24 years old. A decade ago, you could still bring water on an airplane. A decade ago, 2010 seemed so far away.
But, here we are. And although it seems like so little time has passed, when you stop to think about it, a lot has actually happened and the '00s will probably be remembered as a relatively well-defined decade. On the grander scale, the decade's story arch is very dramatic: fear on North American soil and war in so many parts of the world. Obviously, what happened in 2001 is the most defining moment, but so much more happened. George Bush was the president for the bulk of the decade, but hopefully, it will also be remembered in history as the decade in which Obama started his two-term presidency and made some positive changes (work with me here, people). It started as the decade of Nickelback and Limp Bizkit, but ended as the decade of Lady Gaga (this in my mind, is definitely change you can believe in).
Personally speaking, it was a very transformative time for me — perhaps because the years between 24 and 34 bring life changes for a lot of people. I started dating my husband in 2000, got married in 2001, and spent the next five years becoming a real adult in a large city on the other side of the country. I went from that crap basement apartment into a nicer apartment, then a house that I owned, then a nicer house back in the city I grew up in. I became a parent. Twice. I went from a working (but very poorly paid) magazine writer to being a stay-at-home mom. My husband went from being a struggling professional touring musician to having a very successful career in a business he had never even heard of until after he had kids and decided to work for a better paycheque. I look older when I look in the mirror. I don't mind.
How was the decade for you? Can you believe the '90s have been over for 10 years? Can you believe the '90s started 20 years ago?
Happy New Year, peeps. It's going to be a good one.
4 comments:
Happy New Year to you! It's amazing what a decade can bring.
Your own (and Aaron's) story arch reminds me of my own; 24 when the decade started, 34 now; no kids then, two now; tiny apartment and lively social life then, own house and much-diminished social life now; impoverished grad student then, person with real job now. Older, wiser, mostly happier.
happy new year to you all!
Change is the only constant, eh? great post. This was a good decade jam-packed with life changes.
Happy new year to you ~~~
I really enjoyed this post! It made me reflect on how my life has changed in the last decade. Life is so strange and interesting.
Happy New Year!!
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