Christmas 2000

Most of your friends and family had a great year. How did the last 366 days stand out and/or impact you? Draw on past examples and experiences, if applicable. What are you planning on doing during the next year and how will sending out a holiday email achieve those short and long-term goals? (716 word limit)

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah and Happy Holidays to everybody from my second Holiday card attempt (sorry, I ran out of time last year). I hope everyone has had a great time so far this millennium. While I have yet to witness my mug on the cover of the Wall Street Journal, 2000 was good to me - I cherished my friendships, valued my career contributions, witnessed friends get married, and awed Machu Pichu's splendor with my sister. Most importantly, I was able to convince my long-time confidant - Heather - to review the Harry Met Sally syndrome. As a result, we've been inseparably dating since February. We are looking forward to joining 15 other souls my friend Ananya has organized a trip to Bali for after Christmas. I enjoyed a few weekend getaways over the summer, but the fall was a complete blur. All my free time was consumed studying for the GMAT or writing five graduate business school applications. I have done more than enough soul searching for those essays and look forward to spending 2001 talking about anything other than myself or what my most valued accomplishment was. I hope to learn where I might have the opportunity to spend the next two years of my life by late January. Heather and I are discussing a possible trip to Italy for the spring and I hope to travel throughout next summer before heading off to school in the fall. The next few months should provide a great opportunity to catch up with friends, play some more nickel poker, grab a drink, or simply laugh through a movie. Give me a call or drop me a line!

What matters most. "No one on their deathbed ever wished they worked more." So true. All stories people recollect involve only two elements: friends and travels. Holiday cards never include "oh, and in May, I worked on a project where we saved the client $3 million!" I have never been one to sacrifice my relationships for work, but the holiday season has consistently reminded what matters most - you guys. My birthday party last year brought me the greatest gift of all - Heather, a best friend that can put up with me while being a constant blessing. I'll do my best not to let her get away. Quick escapes to Vegas, Door County, Seattle, Cape Cod, Galena, and Cabo kept me sane. Friends married friends and others made their commitments secure. Cheers again to Scott & Amy, John & Anne, Anthony & Sarah, Dan & Karen, Jason & Rochene, Steve & Jennifer, Brian & Heather, Brett & Adrian, Dave & Caroline, and Matt & Leigh. I was honored to see my brother graduate from the Chicago GSB and climb through Peru with my sister for a few weeks in August. While cheering at Packer games has been more difficult this season, they've been great times to catch up with my parents.

What lies ahead. I disappeared for three months in the fall trying my best to get into business school. I hope to attend a school in (alphabetical order) Boston, Chicago, Palo Alto, or Philadelphia next fall - we'll just see what schools want me to attend. The traveler bug has only grown stronger, and I hope to spend months next summer with my backpack, new camera, and whatever friends can join me. Until then I am still enjoying my time working for GTCR, the private equity firm here in Chicago foolish enough to think I could contribute something meaningful to the team. It's been a fun two years that have taught me a great deal and should provide a great foundation for school and whatever else may challenge me in the future.

You can contact me via email (stenning@schueppert.net or stenningkarl@yahoo.com if I can't get Yahoo! to forward my mail correctly), telephone (m)312.543.6754 or (w)312.382.2215, the web (www.schueppert.net) - my personal page that I have failed to update in over a year but still pledge to do so soon, or mail at my new apartment (1120 N. LaSalle, Apt 16A; Chicago, IL 60610). Come late January, I'll be up for anything - lunches downtown, drinks in Lincoln Park, home-cooked dinners, weekend trips, or simple conversations. I eagerly look forward to hearing your stories - I'm always amazed to learn about all the adventures my friends are having - and creating new ones together.

*Attached holiday collage: (clockwise spiral) Seattle peppers, Lake Michigan, Whidby Island, Steph & I on the Inca Trail, Heather in Door County, Steve's Graduation, Wick's Vegas Trip, Cabo, Black Tie with Heather, Pebble Beach, Wisconsin light house, Florida parrot, Chitzen-Itza, Ananya in Cancun, Machu Pichu, Everglades butterfly.

*All photographs (unless otherwise noted) are the property of Stenning Schueppert and may not be distributed or circulated for any purposes (personal or commercial) without his express written consent. Questions or comments regarding selected photographs are, of course, welcome.
Distributed December 18, 2000 to roughly 130 friends, family, and confidants.