For many people includes making resolutions to improve their quality of life. Many people will quit smoking, go on a diet, begin exercising or engage in any other type of activity with the end goal of having a better year and life. However, I want to take this time to say thank you. I want to give thanks for all the great things that happened this year, as well as for the challenges and difficult situations that I encountered in 2014.
If you will, allow me to be cliché-ish for a moment and say that everything happens for a reason. This year many things took place that I understand and some that I don’t; however, they all helped me grow as an individual. First, I want to thank my family and friends for putting up with the absences to gatherings and Sunday dinners. The first half of the year had me caught up in school while this last leg of 2014 has allowed me to focus more on work and my career. While I don’t consider myself a workaholic or one to neglect loved ones in the name of work, sometimes I am forced to be late and or absent to certain gatherings.
I also want to thank my professors for challenging me throughout my two years in grad school. It was a difficult task to say the least but the fact that Professor Johnson, Dr. Crawford, Dr. Rodriguez, Dr. Yarfitz, Dr. Kidd and my thesis advisor Dr. Reguant always required more than what I considered to be enough allowed me to succeed academically. The advice and guidance that they provided not only helped me earn good grades but it allowed me to become more analytical as a writer and an individual.
A special thanks also goes out to everyone at work. I’ve met some great people that have made work enjoyable beyond belief. In particular want to thanks everyone in Culver City who has taken the time to schedule me into their busy day for an interview or just a cup of coffee. From Mayor Sahli-Wells, Councilmembers Cooper, Clarke, Weissman and O’Leary to the different staff and department directors at city hall, thank you. You have all been very helpful and willing to assist in any inquiries we might have. Thank you to the Culver City Police Department and the Culver City Fire Department for always returning my calls. Thanks to Jane Thomey of the Culver City Woman’s Club, all of our contributing writers: Allen, Ed, Pete, Steve, George, Shari, Kat, Brianna, Lauren, Michael Kayem and Michael Zucker, Geoff Maleman, Osiris, everyone at the Culver City Unified School District, the Culver City Education Foundation and Tamara who helps with proof reading. Thanks to the staff at SixPax Gym and everyone else who made this a memorable first year at Culver City News.
Thank you to Julie at the Historical Society, thanks to Mike Cohen for all of his help and hardwork. Thanks to Dr. Penso and Grace Elliott (best of luck in Sydney!). Thank you to Joe and everyone at the Culver City’s DAV Chapter 123. A big thank you to everyone that has taken the time to say hello when they see me out and about in the city. Your comments and feedback is always appreciated.
If I didn’t mention someone, I apologize. It’s not being done with ill will. Space is limited and the Rolodex in my head is burning out. Still, everyone and anyone who has helped me transition and become the editor at Culver City News, I thank you.
I do what I love and I love what I do and when good people surround you, the experience is infinitely better. Happy New Year to you all and may 2015 be filled with good times and success.