To make up for being depressing...
New Years meme
1. What did you do in 2015 that you'd never done before?
1. Slept in a military base and had soldiers carry my bags. Highly recommended.
2. Molotov cocktails were thrown at my bus
3. Participated in a stress drill
4. Visited the grave of extended family in a military cemetery
5. Did Independence day in Israel
6. Went to Italy
7. Went to Clark's wedding
8. Began working in finance
9. Got war painted
10. Climbed into a tank and joked about shooting the driver's ex-boyfriend. (Long story)
11. Ran around Israel with a Muslim Imam
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't publish a book or get a boyfriend, but I did get into better shape
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My dear friend Deth gave me a new adoptive nephew and my friend Meghan had a bunlet.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, although a few Israeli friends of friends were murdered. And the death in the family...not in the time frame
5. What countries did you visit?
The US, Italy, Israel and the Palestinian Authority and…..Gaza. (I put my toe in, relax people. I had armed (and very hot) soldiers with me at all times. I’m aware that any more than my little toe in would be suicide)
6. What would you like to have in 2016 that you lacked in 2015?
- A sense of direction with my career
- A novel finished
- A boyfriend
- A great network
7. What date from 2015 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Clark’s wedding. Perfection.
Memorial Day in Israel. Saddest day possible. I actually thought I’d never be happy again. And then Clark called and said “Be joyful. We are a joyful people.”
Getting my job.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Landing my current job. Very proud of myself.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not networking more and not finishing a novel.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
God yes, massive ear infection.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
tickets to Florence, what a lovely city
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My amazing Israeli family, who were amazing to me
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
- The kid I mentored, who is one step away from a nervous breakdown
- The former friend. I’ve forgiven him, but if his wife got smashed by a meteor, I’d consider the world a nicer place. I hope I never see him again. Even hearing from mutual friends makes me sad.
- My evil eldest brother, who will hopefully suffer
- My evil second brother
14. Where did most of your money go?
1. Food. Prices have gone up and it’s likely to go up even more, given our weird weather
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
STAR WARS
16. What song will always remind you of 2015?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rANiul86eSU
This song sounds like Israel. It reminds me of wandering through the open markets, the sounds and the smells and the sights.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder?
Happier, in a way. I’m still self-critical and I had some bad black periods of depression but I’m pretty good
ii. thinner or fatter?
30 pounds thinner.
iii. richer or poorer?
Richer, my new job pays decently. Finally.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Writing and dating, and maybe having more fun.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Feeling sad. I’m feeling my own mortality (only in that I’m not immortal) and every sad moment is one I can’t get back. Being jealous and beating myself up over every mistake.
20. How did you spend Hanukkah?
In a mosque, actually. I was in an interfaith Menorah lighting, which was one of the most interesting of my life.
21. How did I spend New Year's Eve?
Reading “The Kill Artist” by Daniel Silva and working
22. Did you fall in love in 2015?
Yes. Still am in love. Still respecting it isn't going to happen, although our plan for a Gaza-Sderot peace wedding seems nice
23. How many books did you read?
74, which is lower than usual. Not happy with myself. I’m trying for 144 this year.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Little Mosque on the Prairie. I binge watched it during the Ear Infection and besides one horrible plot point, laughed till my sides hurt.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hmmm….yes, but I try to forget rather hate. But yes, I have a very tough personality and I hold grudges
26. What was the best and worst book you read this year?
The Best: The Ambassador by Yehuda Avner
Worst: The Blue between Water and Sky by Susan Abulhawa
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Moshe Peretz,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRUeArKkzMQ
28. What did you want and get?
Amazing adventures and good friends
29. What did you want and not get?
True love
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
I only saw four films this year and none of them tickled my fancy. I suppose Ant-Man.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
29 and I did a tour of the old city, and then dinner with my sweet friend Guita.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A boyfriend or a publishing deal.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2015?
Leggings and tunic, every single day. I like it.
34. What kept you sane?
My incredible family. I miss them so much, it hurts. I actually hug myself sometimes and pretend it’s them.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Shondra Rhimes, she’s living my dream.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Israel. If that surprises anyone, I’ll be quite impressed.
37. Who did you miss?
While in Israel, I missed my grandpa, it’s nice to see him now.
While in the US, I miss Clark and Lois and the family.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
My new cousin M. She’s a goddess. I worship her. Like I can’t talk in front of her, she’s so accomplished and perfect. She’s just fierce and beautiful, she’s like my goddess of awesome.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2015.
Sunk costs hurt. Beating a dead horse hurts more.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Everyday I can hear the rockets fly
Over the graves of too many who have died
Fighting for land, or some ancient holy shrine
I bet your blood runs red, just the same as mine, yeah
-Love by Great Big Sea
I literally heard rockets fly over my head. I literally saw graves of too many who have died.
I saw fighting for land and holy shrines.
And I know his blood runs red, just the same as mine.