It is a truth universally acknowledged, that one
decade ago, today's teenagers celebrated single-digit
birthdays, occasionally sucked their thumbs, nursed a soft
spot for Arthur and Sesame Street, and looked to the new
millennium with the fortitude and optimism exclusive to
the single-digit set. Now, though older and more world-
weary, we still look to the next decade with the fortitude
and optimism characteristic of our age-group. To be frank,
however, 2009 often tried our patience and tested our
resilience. Yet, we have come to embrace the year despite,
or perhaps even because of, the highs and all-time-lows,
the progressions and the recession, the foibles and the
quirks, the good times as well as the bad. So, it is with
tentative enthusiasm that we reminisce, recount, relive ...
and celebrate the year that was 2009.
Perhaps the most historic headline
of 2009 was the inauguration of Barack
Obama, America's first Black president as
well as the creation of Disney's first Black
princess-though she had to kiss a frog to
shatter the glass ceiling. Somewhat less
historic but no less newsworthy was Chief
Justice's John Roberts botched delivery
of the presidential oath. Perhaps nerves
got the best of Ol "faithful"; when he re-
administered the Oath for a second time in
the oval office, Obama cautioned, "we're
going to do it very slowly."
While politicians in Washington
touted "Change," one unassuming captain
ushered in some change of his own. Seconds after flight
1549 departed from La Guardia airport, a flock of Canadian
geese collided with the jet's engine. With Captain Chesley
B. "Sully" Sullenberger at the helm, the flight crash-landed
on the Hudson River and all 155 passengers made it to
safety.
"Brace for impact." Sully's announcement
while navigating flight 1549 turned out to be somewhat
prophetic as America's economy tanked and hit all-time-
lows. The dire straits were quite exacerbated by a certain
some one who "made-off" with everyone's 401K. The
public's disillusionment is perhaps best highlighted by the
latest AP-GFK poll, in which 42% percent of those polled
rated this year "very bad." The poll neglected to release
The Year in Review
"So, it is with
tentative en-
thusiasm that
we reminisce,
recount, relive
...and celebrate
the year that
was 2009."
-Ten-
Shalva Ginsparg (`11)
the sentiments of the remaining 58% who rated this year "so-
horribly-bad-I-am-hiding-under-my-bed-until-it-passes."
Though unable to bring home the bacon, many
Americans brought home swine-of the H1N1 variety. Pigs
flew when a new influenza virus infected eight Americans and
quickly spread to many more. The ensuing panic prompted
most Americans to get vaccinations; others like Falcon Heenes
or Balloon Boy simply hopped on the local hot air balloon and
immigrated to Mars.
When dowdy Susan Boyle stood before a snickering
Britian's Got Talent audience, she wowed the world with her
triumphant rendition of "I dreamed a dream." Her popularity,
however, stemmed from her devastatingly
unprecedented ability to sing --while not dressed
by a stylist. Americans shook their heads in
disbelief as Boyle, a curiously un-glamorous
specimen-the likes of which can only be spotted
in Zoos or the Amazon-dared to showcase a
decidedly glamorous voice.
Sarah Palin can now add best-selling
author to her myriad titles of accomplishment
(namely maverick, jogger, hockey mom, moose-
hunter and mother of five children with names
such as "Piper" and "Track." Palin's "Going
Rougue: An American Life" captured the hearts
of Americans and dispelled all rumors that she
was a fire-breathing, money-spending, fungus-
breeding book-burner. Despite her novel's wild
success, Sarah will always be remembered for her
memorable quotes; perhaps most profound of the collection
being "sweat is my sanity."
With a whole eight month of action and
accomplishment under his belt, Obama is awarded the Nobel
Peace Prize. Indeed, when Nobel committee chairman,
Thorbjorn Jagland, asked himself the eternal question, "who
has done the most in the previous year to enhance peace in the
world," he naturally concluded that "who has done more than
Barack Obama?" Obama noted that he was "surprised," fellow
contenders noted they were "outraged, hurt, disappointed,"
Americans noted that "the Nobel Peace prize has about as
much credibility as Bernie Madoff."