2009 problems, but a bitch ain't one.
1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before? Went to South America, did the Seattle Breast Cancer 3-Day, and learned how to embroider, sew (all over again), needle felt, carve stamps and cross-stitch. Had Christmas with Adam.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I can’t say for certain what my resolutions were, but knowing that they are usually along the lines of: read more books, exercise, and save money, I’m going to have to say I failed on all accounts. And, yes, more will be made. But I’m going a different route this year.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Rusty and Steph had their little (big) one. And I saw a pregnant cat in someone’s yard.
4. Did anyone close to you die? An attorney who worked in my office suite, Robert Berke, who was one of the most intelligent, compassionate and inspiring people I’ve ever known. We are much, much worse off without him.
5. What countries did you visit? Peru!
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009? Better health. And peace with myself. The ability to forgive and understand. To stop judging myself against others, and vice versa. Um, and in terms of materialism? A Nissan Leaf or an electric Mini.
7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Date… hmmm… maybe Machu Picchu, and the stories that went along with that journey, or September 11-13, the Breast Cancer 3-Day. Oh, and I think something happened on January 20, 2009…
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Walking until I couldn’t walk anymore (applied to both Machu Picchu and the 3-Day).
9. What was your biggest failure? Drying up my savings (although much of it went to the shiny computer I’m typing on) and drying up my immune system.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Constantly. Flus, colds, eye infection, toenails falling off. You name it. I have it.
11. What was the best thing you bought? Anti-depressants. (And a space in Home Ec’s embroidery class… cause I got to meet Jess and Jenny.)
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Adam’s.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Everyone involved with or who watches Fox News.
14. Where did most of your money go? Toward my $3500 deductible, and plane tickets.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Peru, all of my other travels, and crafting.
16. What song will always remind you of 2009? Hmmm… anything by The Lonely Island?
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier, most definitely. Can’t say if it’s primarily chemical or not, though.
ii. thinner or fatter? Fatter, of course.
iii. richer or poorer? Unfortunately, the same.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Traveling with Adam; Cleaning.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Traveling alone; Watching TV.
20. How did you spend Christmas? With Adam and my family in Seattle, playing Settlers of Catan.
21. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with? Customers. Bank of America.
22. Did you fall in love in 2009? Being in a long-term relationship makes this question even sillier every year.
23. How many one-night stands? Ditto.
24. What was your favorite TV program? Modern Family, hands down! (Also The IT Crowd and Pulling, but I don’t think those came out this year.)
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? I don’t even know that I hate anybody that I actually KNOW anymore.
26. What was the best book you read? Haven’t finished, of course (it’s me, after all) but I just received Eating Animals, which has great promise. A Homemade Life and Reading Lolita in Tehran are also great ones. The best “thing” I’ve read is Frankie Magazine.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery? Love, love, love Florence and the Machine. Also, Band of Skulls.
28. What did you want and get? A KitchenAid mixer. My Amazon wishlist. Lots of plane tickets. (Added: PS3!)
29. What did you want and not get? Motivation.
30. What was your favorite film of this year? Oh… good one. Let’s see. Star Trek… Hurt Locker… Zombieland… Sherlock Holmes… Fantastic Mr. Fox… (Memo to studios: make non-rom-com-non-Juno-type interesting films with women in them…)
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 26… and had a bbq party at our apartment. And locked ourselves out. Hilariously.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Being healthier.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009? Anthropologie’s sale section. And some really great shoes.
34. What kept you sane? My boys in #223. Home Ec and all that’s associated with it.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? I’m aging out of this… uh… Hugh Laurie? RDJr?
36. What political issue stirred you the most? Iranian election? Obama’s inaug?
37. Who did you miss? Family.
38. Who was the best new person you met? Jess, Jenny and Frank! Can’t pick one!
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009: Bird by bird.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
“Trapped in the clahhhset!”