Which of These is Not Like the Others?

Which of the following headlines from the Salt Lake Tribune is not like the others?

-Consumer confidence darkens further in January
-Corning cuts 3,500 jobs as 4Q profit slumps
-Utah officials expect annual count to find increase in homeless
-Millcreek planners weigh new rules for McMansions

It's ironic that in a time when many people are losing their jobs and homes, other people are fighting for their rights to build huge mansions. How did things get so out of balance?

I.O.U.S.A.

I, along with most people these days, am feeling the effects of the tight economy. Luckily, I still have a job and have been able to keep up my standard of living while also paying for my trip to Africa in May.

However, it’s hard to see things getting better any time soon. Today at work, someone mentioned the movie I.O.U.S.A. (we run social programs, so federal funding greatly impacts us), and I checked out the 30 minute version online. It’s really great in that it explains the national debt in an easily understood way. It's frightening, and I wish they would have offered some sort of opinion on potential solutions instead of just pointing out that we're all screwed, but overall, I thought it was really informative.

You can check it out here.

Reflecting on 2008

As I was looking through my old resolutions yesterday and trying to decide what my new ones should be, I reflected on 2008 and all that happened. I can’t believe how quickly the last year passed and how much my life changed (new job, home, etc).

Some highlights from 2008:
• Traveled to Mexico
• Got a job at the YWCA
• Moved to Salt Lake City
• Got a new nephew
• Traveled to Boise for the first time
• Traveled to San Antonio for the first time
• Traveled to Pocatello a few times to spend time with family
• Traveled to Sand Hollow
• Hiked to the top of Grandeur
• Paid off my car
• Got a visit from Robyn and Dejan
• Read over 30 books
• Planned an event that 1,000 people attended
• Took the GRE
• Started learning Swahili
• Bought plane tickets to Africa

2009 is already shaping up to be a big year with the Africa trip and the possibility of me going back to school to take a few classes. I just hope it’s as great as 2008.