I sit here and think about how I spent my year, and I’m smiling. A lot of good happened this year to this Utica, NY native. It was full of good times and great people.

Thinking back to last January I remember the return of a good friend of mine who moved back from living out west. We jumped right in to having a good time, cross country skiing the BREIA Trails and eating trout lilies.

Work has been great too! I work for a great advertising agency where I am creating internet marketing strategies, it is what I like and what I am good at. The people who work there just as great, all possessing tons of creativity and enough positive energy to help tons of businesses in “Central New York” maximize their potential.

My friends have been a huge part to my smiles all year, we spent the summer going to concerts, camping, music festivals and truly enjoying the living here in Utica.

More and more thoughts are just pouring into my head about early spring hikes in the Adirondack Mountains, kayaking the Moose River, the Utica Music Festival, moe.down in Mohawk… 2010 was a great year.

I love my dog, hes always by my side waiting to go on adventures, and he loves all the time we got to spend at places like Crandall’s falls and Cape Cod. He’s really maturing and becoming a smart dog who “almost” listens to everything I say.

I mentioned my friends… and having good friends and people around you is exactly what you need to warm your heart and keep you happy. Even keep you going sometimes when shit happens… and trust me it always does.

I am so happy to have spent another year with my wife. She is definitely my “best friend” and at the top of my happiness. We keep each other inline and I keep finding more and more things I love about her. Like how awesome she is at organizing parties, golf leagues and constantly bringing all of our friends together so we all have fun.

I missed my babchi it was amazing to realize how much she meant to me. I thought of her a lot throughout the year and especially around Christmas and I could tell my mom missed her too. I did my best to comfort her. After all without her and my dad I wouldn’t be anything. They are always here for me. I just hope when they need me I can pay them back and dedicate all the time they do helping them.

When the clock strikes 12… all people in Central NY will be toasting their “Utica Club” Beers, and I will be there with them!

Happy New Year Utica, NY!