2014 in Review
2014 was busy, fulfilling, and I accomplished a lot (but not all) of my goals.
1. What did you do in 2014 that you’d never done before?
One super secret Army thing (that was really cool) and also had a baby.
2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I decided that 2014 was kind of the “Year I’m doing all the hard things.” This started with a black belt test at the end of 2012. Then a CPE (clinical pastoral education) residency, pregnancy, childbirth. I haven’t quite finished with that yet, but I’m almost there. This next year (hopefully these next few months) will include getting ordained, endorsed, and being a real chaplain (rather than a candidate) in the Indiana Army National Guard.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Me! Also two women I grew up with (Lacy and Merrilee). Tony. Cory (another dude I grew up with). John and Leah (more Elwood folk). There were a lot of babies and baby things.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My Aunt Judy died. My mom is one of 5 siblings, all of whom are married. Of that group of 10, this was the first death, so it hit us pretty hard, especially once I realized that no one directly related to this family (as in, sibling, child, spouse, grandchild, etc. of those 5 siblings) has died since their father died in 1977.
5. What countries did you visit?
Didn’t do a lot of traveling this year (because pregnancy and newborn). Hopefully, we’ll get out and about more in 2015.
6. What would you like to have in 2015 that you lacked in 2014?
I’m getting all of my qualifications in order, but it would be nice to be a full time chaplain somewhere.
7. What date from 2014 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
August 15 - Birthday of Alma Taylor Mathis!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Childbirth and CPE residency.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Gardening.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Did I mention I was pregnant?
11. What was the best thing you bought?
New leaf spring shackles for my truck?
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My husband, for putting up with a lot this year.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
There seemed to be a lot of hate out there this year - police brutality, gamergate, etc. - but on the other hand, there were a lot of people legitimately trying to have a conversation about topics that are hard.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Daycare. That will probably be my answer for this question for the next 5 years.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
New books published by my awesome friends.
16. What song will always remind you of 2014?
I hate these questions because I don't listen to enough music to answer them.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?
i. I would say happier, but I was pretty happy this time last year, too.
ii. thinner or fatter?
Fatter. Still losing the baby weight.
iii. richer or poorer?
Probably about the same.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Yoga
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Stress about stuff.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
With family, then driving to be with more family.
22. Did you fall in love in 2014?
In a whole new way.
23. How many one night stands?
Not my style
24. what was your favorite tv programm?
Sleepy Hollow, Sword Art Online, Attack on Titan
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
You can’t (honestly) go through a CPE residency without some anger and bitterness towards your co-residents. But never hate, just disappointment.
26. What was the best book you read?
Shield and Crocus!
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Baby Einstein?
28. What did you want and get?
A baby
29. What did you want and not get?
Ordained. Seriously, how long have I been working on this?
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Guardians of the Galaxy, which we saw by accident. We were going to see Lucy, but finished with dinner too early and didn’t to wait around.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 33. I got to catch up with friends at exactly the kind of party I like, low-key with board games and stories.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
This was a good year. I would have liked to wrapped up my ordination stuff, but I’m trying to keep the perspective that everything is happening at the Right Time.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2014?
Goodwill business casual/ 2nd hand maternity?
34. What kept you sane?
My CPE supervisor
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Elizabeth Warren
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Probably the Ferguson mess, with ISIS being a close second.
37. Who did you miss?
My chaplain pack from Atterbury.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Some girl named Alma.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2014.
Everything happens at the time it’s supposed to, neither later, nor early, despite my perspective.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
“Carry on my wayward son, there’ll be peace when you are done.”