the usual
I know it's a week into the new year, but I felt like writing again. So I'm just going to get the usual "New Year's Reflection" stuff out of the way. Whenever I have some time, I'll upload a bunch of pictures from December. I also have a LOT to write about. I start my first FULL week of classes on Tuesday, but I'll update as soon as I can.
1. What did you do this year that you've never done before?
I saw Trans Siberian Orchestra in concert! I also sent in a few short stories for possible publication.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I never make any clear cut resolutions. I do reflect on the year- on New Year's Eve 2005, I told myself I wanted to act like more of an adult. New Year's Eve 2006, I've decided to work on my insecurity issues (both with relationships and irrational fears). I also want to focus on my education and career options.
As far as progress-- I'm 23. I've got a lot to learn, but I've gotten a good start. I'll get my undergrad degree in May, and I know what I want to do after that. I just have to figure out how to go about it now. The hardest things will be getting myself to drive again (I HAVE to), and tackling the insecurity. But I can do it.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth this year?
This was the year EVERYONE got pregnant or gave birth- Jessica. :) My old babysitter/longtime family friend, Tina. A friend from grade school, Nichole.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
He wasn't necessarily close, but my great uncle "Butch", who will definitely be missed.
5. What countries did you visit this year?
I didn't go out of the country at all. Sad.
6. What would you like to have in the next year that you lacked this year?
Security, Self-esteem, Confidence
7. What date from this year will remain etched upon your memory - and why?
December 8th- I had the best birthday celebration EVER.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Bringing my grades back up, getting better study habits, sending in some stories for possible publication, realizing that I should change some of my behaviors.
9. What was your biggest failure of the year?
Losing a good friend.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I got pretty sick in December, like I always do... but that's all I can recall.
11. What was the best thing you bought this year?
I'm not sure.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration (a public or private personality)?
Chris, who graduated from ITT Tech. <3 And Leslie, who started school at U of M.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Scott's. And my own. And Mel Gibson's, Britney Spears', and Tom Cruise's as usual.
14. Where did most of your money go this year?
My social life-- mostly scrapbooking and dates with Chris haha.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about this year?
The TSO concert, once I realized what was going on.
16. What song will always remind you of this year?
Oddly enough, "Happy X-Mas (War Is Over") covered by Sarah McLachlan. And "Time After Time" by Cindy Lauper. I'm sure there are plenty more, but I won't be able to recall them until I hear them.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
-happier or sadder? A LOT sadder. But hopefully it'll make me a stronger person in the end.
-richer or poorer? Slightly poorer. I always have lots of money from my birthday and Christmas, but I got more last year lol.
-thinner or fatter? Yikes. Fatter, I think. But I'm working on it. That's my one superficial resolution. Normally I think it's pretty cliche, but I really did put on more weight than I'm comfortable with.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Wrote, Participated in school events, Drove, Worked on my jealousy and insecurity.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Obsessed, Whined, Lashed out, Assumed... how is that for cryptic?
20. How did you spend the holidays?
Valentine's Day - I think Chris might have stopped by on the actual day. To celebrate, I'm pretty sure we went out to dinner, but I'm a bad girlfriend and don't remember. I do know that we made a point to make it our own, though.
Halloween- I went to class, where we spent at least an hour trying to get "Everything Is Illuminated" to play. Then we watched the movie while pigging out.
Thanksgiving- At my Aunt Sue's, then dessert at my Grandparents', then Hollie spent the night Christmas Eve- Had my mom's side of the family over, then my Grandparents' for dessert, and a small immediate family gift exchange.
Christmas Day- At my Grandparents' with my Aunt Laura and Uncle Dave, cousin LeeAnn and her husband Earl, and their year old son, James. Then Chris came to spend the night since we'd leave for Ohio the next morning.
; New Year's Eve- Annual neighborhood party at the Kaloydis', and Chris spent the night.
21. Did you fall in love this year?
I've always loved Chris, but very recently, I've gotten an even stronger feeling and perspective. I feel extremely close to him right now, and unconditionally loved by him. And it's wonderful.
22. How many one-night stands did you have this year?
...None.
23. What was your favorite TV program of the year?
Oh geez. Several things on the Food Network.
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No. But I strongly dislike someone right now, that I liked quite a bit last year.
25. What was the best book you read this year?
Everything Is Illuminated, by Jonathan Safran Foer.
26. What was your favorite film of the year?
I don't really know. Pirate's 2 was good. Capote was good. I can't think.
27. How would you describe your personal fashion concept this year?
I don't know. I've been trying to dress more adult, I guess lol.
28. Whom did you miss this year?
Scott, at the end of it.
29. Who was the best new person you met this year?
I don't know.
30. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned this year.
Some words you can't take back, and they can change relationships forever. I need to quit focusing on what I don't have, and start focusing on what I do have-- and quit being so selfish and insecure. Life doesn't always turn out neatly, and sometimes you have to make the best of awful situations. You can't let anything consume you.
P.S. I took a long absence from LJ, just cuz of end-of-the-year craziness. I'm still catching up on all of my friends' journal entries at this point. There's too much to comment on everyone's, obviously, but I'm excited to see what all of you have been up to. <3
1. What did you do this year that you've never done before?
I saw Trans Siberian Orchestra in concert! I also sent in a few short stories for possible publication.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I never make any clear cut resolutions. I do reflect on the year- on New Year's Eve 2005, I told myself I wanted to act like more of an adult. New Year's Eve 2006, I've decided to work on my insecurity issues (both with relationships and irrational fears). I also want to focus on my education and career options.
As far as progress-- I'm 23. I've got a lot to learn, but I've gotten a good start. I'll get my undergrad degree in May, and I know what I want to do after that. I just have to figure out how to go about it now. The hardest things will be getting myself to drive again (I HAVE to), and tackling the insecurity. But I can do it.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth this year?
This was the year EVERYONE got pregnant or gave birth- Jessica. :) My old babysitter/longtime family friend, Tina. A friend from grade school, Nichole.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
He wasn't necessarily close, but my great uncle "Butch", who will definitely be missed.
5. What countries did you visit this year?
I didn't go out of the country at all. Sad.
6. What would you like to have in the next year that you lacked this year?
Security, Self-esteem, Confidence
7. What date from this year will remain etched upon your memory - and why?
December 8th- I had the best birthday celebration EVER.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Bringing my grades back up, getting better study habits, sending in some stories for possible publication, realizing that I should change some of my behaviors.
9. What was your biggest failure of the year?
Losing a good friend.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I got pretty sick in December, like I always do... but that's all I can recall.
11. What was the best thing you bought this year?
I'm not sure.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration (a public or private personality)?
Chris, who graduated from ITT Tech. <3 And Leslie, who started school at U of M.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Scott's. And my own. And Mel Gibson's, Britney Spears', and Tom Cruise's as usual.
14. Where did most of your money go this year?
My social life-- mostly scrapbooking and dates with Chris haha.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about this year?
The TSO concert, once I realized what was going on.
16. What song will always remind you of this year?
Oddly enough, "Happy X-Mas (War Is Over") covered by Sarah McLachlan. And "Time After Time" by Cindy Lauper. I'm sure there are plenty more, but I won't be able to recall them until I hear them.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
-happier or sadder? A LOT sadder. But hopefully it'll make me a stronger person in the end.
-richer or poorer? Slightly poorer. I always have lots of money from my birthday and Christmas, but I got more last year lol.
-thinner or fatter? Yikes. Fatter, I think. But I'm working on it. That's my one superficial resolution. Normally I think it's pretty cliche, but I really did put on more weight than I'm comfortable with.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Wrote, Participated in school events, Drove, Worked on my jealousy and insecurity.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Obsessed, Whined, Lashed out, Assumed... how is that for cryptic?
20. How did you spend the holidays?
Valentine's Day - I think Chris might have stopped by on the actual day. To celebrate, I'm pretty sure we went out to dinner, but I'm a bad girlfriend and don't remember. I do know that we made a point to make it our own, though.
Halloween- I went to class, where we spent at least an hour trying to get "Everything Is Illuminated" to play. Then we watched the movie while pigging out.
Thanksgiving- At my Aunt Sue's, then dessert at my Grandparents', then Hollie spent the night Christmas Eve- Had my mom's side of the family over, then my Grandparents' for dessert, and a small immediate family gift exchange.
Christmas Day- At my Grandparents' with my Aunt Laura and Uncle Dave, cousin LeeAnn and her husband Earl, and their year old son, James. Then Chris came to spend the night since we'd leave for Ohio the next morning.
; New Year's Eve- Annual neighborhood party at the Kaloydis', and Chris spent the night.
21. Did you fall in love this year?
I've always loved Chris, but very recently, I've gotten an even stronger feeling and perspective. I feel extremely close to him right now, and unconditionally loved by him. And it's wonderful.
22. How many one-night stands did you have this year?
...None.
23. What was your favorite TV program of the year?
Oh geez. Several things on the Food Network.
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No. But I strongly dislike someone right now, that I liked quite a bit last year.
25. What was the best book you read this year?
Everything Is Illuminated, by Jonathan Safran Foer.
26. What was your favorite film of the year?
I don't really know. Pirate's 2 was good. Capote was good. I can't think.
27. How would you describe your personal fashion concept this year?
I don't know. I've been trying to dress more adult, I guess lol.
28. Whom did you miss this year?
Scott, at the end of it.
29. Who was the best new person you met this year?
I don't know.
30. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned this year.
Some words you can't take back, and they can change relationships forever. I need to quit focusing on what I don't have, and start focusing on what I do have-- and quit being so selfish and insecure. Life doesn't always turn out neatly, and sometimes you have to make the best of awful situations. You can't let anything consume you.
P.S. I took a long absence from LJ, just cuz of end-of-the-year craziness. I'm still catching up on all of my friends' journal entries at this point. There's too much to comment on everyone's, obviously, but I'm excited to see what all of you have been up to. <3