Looking backwards and forwards

Well another year has begun, and often this is the time that people mull over the past and make plans for the future. Well this post will be no different.

Looking to the past

Personally, my wife and I decided that it was high time we abandon the renter’s life and make a concerted effort to tighten the belts and try to purchase a place. We did so in september, and I’ve never been happier. Sure there are some downsides to purchasing like having to maintain your own appliances. But at the end of the day I feel comforted knowing I’m contributing to my own equity rather than my landlords. I also had the opportunity to take a trip to europe which was great opportunity to see all the master works I learned about in college.

Professionally, a lot happened this year as well. I had been a CakePHP user for about a year by the beginning of the year. I decided that I wanted to contribute back as well. I started off talking to John David Anderson, and contributing to the documentation for the then beta 1.2. At the same time I redesigned and developed this very site so I could more easily share my ideas on web design and development. In May I was asked to join the core team for CakePHP. I very excitedly accepted the offer and began working on the core. In October I began the development of DebugKit which got a lot of attention from the community and I’m really happy with the outcome of the project. As the year drew to a close I was offered to talk at CakeFest Argentina. I gave two talks on Unit Testing, and a third on Plugin development. CakeFest was an amazing experience for me, as I got to me a large part of the core team as well as many members of the community, and eat some really great steak. Lastly, in November I accepted a position at the Cake Development Corporation as a developer.

Looking to the future

With 2008 fading into the distance, what does the future hold. With the stable release of CakePHP 1.2 behind us as well. Its a fairly safe bet that the development of the next CakePHP should be starting any day now. Furthermore, I’m hoping to get DebugKit finalized, with a future version incorporating even more awesome debugging tools. There is also sure to be another CakeFest which I’m hoping to attend as well.

Even with the looming recession, I can’t really complain about 2008. I’ve got a place to lay my head at night, food to much on, and a lovely family. All in all I’m extremely thankful for the past year. I hope you and yours had a great holiday season and an eventful 2008, and here’s to all of what 2009 may hold.