2011 in Review

I did this same quiz last year and thought it would be interesting to do it again. Take time to reflect.

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?

I kissed a girl, and I liked it. Just kidding – did that before. Um, even though I have been to graduate school before, it feels different this time. Perhaps that counts. Also, I cooked a standing rib roast, which I had never attempted before. It was surprisingly easy and oh, so delicious. I joined a group of women friends, with whom I meet regularly for dinner, drinks, and fun excursions. We call ourselves "Mothers Against (Drinking the) Kool-Aid, or MAKA for short, and it's a tongue-in-cheek reference to the dreaded band booster parents. Long story.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

One of my resolutions was to go back to graduate school, and I did that, with great success. I will have my MA in Teaching at the end of June, via cohort with Piedmont College. As far as a resolution for this year, I have decided to let go of insecurities I have about my home and do more entertaining here, which probably means I will be doing little home improvement projects throughout the year. I like this plan.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My niece Jaime had a tiny little son about 6 weeks early; this little fighter is doing just fine.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

My husband's uncle died; he was a sweet man, whom I've known since I was about 20.

5. What countries did you visit?

Sadly, I did not travel out of the country this year. Someday, that will happen again.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

I need more free time, but I don't think that will happen until I finish my master's degree. I would also like to have more self-discipline for exercise. I am not as healthy as I would like to be.

7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Mother's Day was memorable because my foster son was a total dick that day. Sorry, but it's true. Also, December 27th, we bought our daughter a new car, of which she will take over the payments when she moves out.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I am maintaining a 4.0 in graduate school, despite work, family, responsibilities, and other distractions.

9. What was your biggest failure?

I am not sure this is MY failure, but it has become very clear to me that I am not the mom that my foster son wants, and I never will be. I have decided that he will move out after he graduates in 2012, and I will close up this painful chapter of my life for good. On a less serious note, I failed to stay on track with a healthy lifestyle and have regained some weight. Bleh.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I currently have bronchitis again, which sucks ass. Also, early in December, I wiped out on the pavement in front of the convenience store near my house, and it took an inordinate amount of time for me to heal up from that fall. That shit made me feel really old, if you want to know the truth. Tore the knee of my favorite pants when I fell, too, dammit.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

For someone else, a five-hour NASCAR experience at Atlanta Motor Speedway, for which my husband is eternally grateful. For myself, hmm, probably something for the kitchen.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My husband, daughter, and son have shown amazing patience and maturity as our home has been taken over by a person who makes life difficult for everyone. We have a closer family bond than every, and this is good for my soul. Also, my daughter is becoming quite a responsible young adult, and I'm proud of the woman that she is.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Doug. No further explanation necessary.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Bills, bills, bills. Wish it could go for fun, fun, fun, but we do have to have a roof over our heads, food on the table, etc.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

The laptop Mike gave me for Valentine's Day is one of the coolest presents he ever gave me. It's a cute little mini that goes everywhere I go. Also, for Christmas, he gave me a freestanding pantry, and if you've ever seen my little galley kitchen, you realize how much larger he just made my kitchen with this thoughtful gift.
16. What song will always remind you of 2010?

Three songs actually: Children of Sanchez, Black Magic Woman, Meleguena. These are the three songs that composed the halftime show for the Marching Wildcats this year. My son was an integral part of the drumline, and I enjoyed every game, every exhibition, every competition, every parade, all because I got to watch him play.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder? Happier in almost every way.
b) thinner or fatter? Ugh, fatter.
c) richer or poorer? The same, unfortunately.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

I wish I had taken more time to read for pleasure, had spent more time with friends (although I did enjoy a few very pleasant evenings with a group of women who have become my closest friends), and relaxed more. Wish I had worked out more often, too.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

I wish I had spent less time running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I also think I drank too much beer this year. Beer makes me fat(ter)!

20. How did you spend Christmas?

I spent it at home with my family, and I feel no shame in admitting that I was happy that Doug spent Christmas with his family.

21. Did you fall in love in 2010?

This will sound sappy, but I fall in love with my husband even more every year.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

Glee and True Blood are at the top of my list.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Hate is such a strong word. My friend became my boss in 2010, a challenging arrangement.

24. What was the best book you read?

The Art of Racing in the Rain made me laugh out loud, cry, and want to read it again. We camped out Labor Day weekend, and I was able to spend some precious time reading for pleasure.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

André Rieu

26. What did you want and get?

I wanted to go back to grad school and did that. I wanted more technology in my classroom, too, and when I moved into the new building, I got an overhead LCD projector and surround sound speakers. I also wanted more job satisfaction, and I like my classes so much more this year.

27. What did you want and not get?

More wiggle room in the budget. Sigh.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

Harry Potter 7, and more recently, Black Swan. Both were worth enduring the theater, and I do not say that about very many movies.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 44 on my birthday, which was a Tuesday this year. I worked and went out with my husband.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

More sex. We honestly have not made enough time for this important connection.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

Comfort.

32. What kept you sane?

My family.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

This might sound odd, but I will have to say Meryl Streep. It amazes me how beautiful and energetic she is at her age, and I hope to have that life about me when I am older.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

The election.

35. Who did you miss?

Still miss my dad.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

In 2010, I met someone in graduate school who has become an amazing friend. She and I partnered together on several projects, and she's wonderful. Unfortunately, she has moved 100 or so miles away, which means I will see her a lot less often. :/ I'm not good at maintaining long-distance friendships.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.

You cannot help people who don't want to be helped.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
 
Reaching for something in the distance

So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

39. What happened to one of these questions?

Last year, there was a question about one night stands. The number is still zero. :)

40. Will you repost this again in a year?

Yes.