2009, Here We Come!

Every year Lilinoe and I promise each other to have a better year than the last and this will not change as we enter 2009. One of our rules is that “we work on our friendship so that our relationship is solid.” And, in order to achieve this we have to continue to grow as individuals. This simple rule creates harmony in our household, but I admit sometimes we’re off tune and majority of the time it’s because I am beating to my own drum.

Ready or not 2009, here we come!

Jayden, although he’s 4 he has some exciting things coming up in the new year. First, he’s turning 5 which is also his favorite number — we’re going out on a limb and predicting that this will change to 6, but it’s just a wild guess! If Lono and all other dieties allow it to be, he is hoping to continue his education at Kamehameha Schools as a Kindergartner at the Kapalama campus. 5 also means he’s eligible for a “pee wee” in anything — soccer, basketball, flag football or even Power Ranger bootcamp; anything for him to expend his never ending energy!

Jayden also made his debut as a hula dancer at the Sheraton Bowl this past Christmas Eve and as long as he’s interested, he will continue as a member of Kuhai Halau O Kahalepuna Pa Olapa Kahiko with Chelsea.

Chelsea has had a remarkable 2008, and if she continues on her path of growth 2009 looks very promising. She’ll continue her duties as the Vice President of Student Council at Kula Kaiapuni O Anuenue and is working hard at finishing the school year making the honor roll again for the second semester. January is the beginning of her first ever season as a canoe paddler for ‘Ilau Hoe, so stay tuned for photos to posterous and videos from Keehi Lagoon of her Saturday morning regattas.

Lilinoe keeps it together for the four of us – she does it all! She continues to be an involved Mommy in Chelsea and Jayden’s lives, the co-founder of Pono Media, a member of the Alltop team, team parent of my youth basketball team, and more. This year she’s set a goal of becoming more involved in photography and I see a Nikon D90 in her near future.

In 2009 I will continue to work relentlessly on Alltop. Currently, there are more than 25,000 feeds in over 400 alltopics from A to Z. There are 486 accounts subscribed to the Alltop Twitterfeed and at last count approximately 800 people receiving the Alltop Newsletter. Page views are in the 200K range and over a million Alltop badges have been served. And, Alltop is not even a year old!

The research that I’ve done for Alltop has unleashed the information fiend within. I am not complaining, more facts, however random are better than an empty mind. I have been able to capitalize on this knowledge in not only the development of the variety of alltopics, but in becoming a richer resource to others. Look for MyAlltop in March 2009!

The official launch of the Pono Media website continued to be pushed back until the 1st quarter of ’09 because there’s just not enough time in one day! Mark my words, there will be no more delays.

I will be traveling to Texas for SXSW followed by a family trip to the happiest place on earth in the Spring and then our annual visit to Maui in the summer. I have also planned to travel to Chicago for SOBCon09 and Las Vegas for the newly combined Blog World and New Media Expo. And, I would especially like to attend one of Chris Brogan‘s New Marketing Labs boot camps. Our travel plans will conclude with an end of the year trip to London.

Personally, I need to once and for all tackle my health. I was very close to being successful, but quickly slipped into my old unhealthy habits. As I near my mid-40′s, my health must be my first priority otherwise nothing else will matter. We’ve recommitted ourselves to the Honolulu Club and to our health. And, I’ll be bringing my Mom along with us too.

There’s so much to be grateful for as 2008 ends, and so much to look forward too in 2009. Everyone is invited to come along our journey as I’ll share all that is good From the Mind of NEENZ.