2008 has been truly extraordinary, at least for me as a Chinese living in the United States. In China, the year started with the worst snow storm in decades, then the earthquake that killed almost 70000 people, then the unprecedented Olympic Games and China’s first time ever space walk. It is a year overwhelmed with glory and natural and man-made catastrophes. In the United States, the mortgage meltdown caused the worst economic recession in hundred years and took down Bear Stearns, Merrill Lynch, Lehman Brothers and Washington Mutual; at the same time, Americans elected the first Black president, who is supported by people of all demographic lines, with the big promise, HOPE!

As an effort to capture this eventful year, Boston.com runs a series of articles (part 1, 2, 3) that feature 120 photographs. It is not all wars, violent or fanfares. There are plenty of fun and inspiring moments.