1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
Was maid of honor in my best friend's wedding, became a step-mom, planned a children's birthday party, bought and paddled a kayak (on the ocean, no less), learned how to take a stand for myself, admitted my limits, learned how to use coupons, started a full-time job with benefits
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I honestly can't remember what my resolutions were, so I'm guessing that I did NOT keep them. Big surprise.
This year, I think I'll actually put them in writing, for posterity's sake:
- Go to the gym/do something physical at least 3 days a week
- Go on an overnight paddling excursion
- Learn how to use my new Holga
- Finish my thesis and obtain my Masters degree
- Consolidate and begin making payments on my student loans
- Identify a career path...or at least find a job that's headed somewhere
- Find peace within myself
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Only of my best friends in the whole world...of course she's all the way down in Texas, so I haven't seen her baby yet.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.
5. What countries did you visit?
Third winter being this close to the border, and still haven't managed to leave the US.
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Motivation, energy, closure (or at least some sort of resolution), free time.
7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
April 10th (I think that was the date)...the day that the commissioner declared that the kids could start coming to our house, and every day with them since.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
The step-mom thing, undoubtedly. The amount of patience it requires (and we're not talking about patience with the kids but with everyone else who feels that they deserve of piece of them) far surpasses that which I had thought myself capable.
9. What was your biggest failure?
My Master's thesis and everything surrounding it. I just don't care about it anymore.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
My spirit was crushed quite a bit, and I was horrendously sick in October for what seemed like weeks on end.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Toss-up between my new laptop in January or the complete overhaul to Hero's desktop in December.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Hero's. He has overcome so many obstacles this year and has managed not to let it break him. We're coming out on top this year.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Shewhomustnotbenamed, for obvious reasons, and Hero's parents for their complete and utter lack of support.
14. Where did most of your money go?
The kids: traveling to see them, toys for them, feeding them, etc. They are little money pits.
15. What did you get really excited about?
Meeting the kids, spending time with the kids, Christmas with the kids.
16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Anything from the Cars soundtrack (did not think it would be possible to watch that movie as much as we did), Best I Ever Had by Drake (ugh, but also fun to mock), and any number of the songs that the kids have been singings (Boom Boom Pow, Hey Ya, the Beardsong).
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
– happier or sadder? Happier, I think.
– thinner or fatter? Fatter, blah.
– richer or poorer? About the same.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Home cooking, writing, kayaking.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Loafing and procrastinating.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
At my parents', waiting for news of Superboy's Christmas Eve appendectomy.
21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
With Superboy and Supergirl, you betcha.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
Sons of Anarchy, The Office, Modern Family.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't want to admit it, but yeah, I have acquired a name or two for my dislike pile.
24. What was the best book you read?
The Other Boleyn Girl, or any of the same series by Philippa Gregory.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
A Fine Frenzy, The Maldives, and the singles from Lady Gaga and 3OH!3.
26. What did you want and get?
Weekend visitations with the kids in our house and a job with benefits.
27. What did you want and not get?
My master's degree, a definitive parenting plan, an engagement ring.
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Star Trek.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I proposed my thesis and was met with a big suprise (Hero took the day off and went ALL out on my gifts)...oh, and I turned 25.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Less drama.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Does it fit and/or not make me feel fat? Then on it goes. Also: Dangly earrnings.
32. What kept you sane?
Daily phone calls to my mom, naps, pizza Sundays.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Fancy? Charlie Hunnam or Zachary Quinto, depending on the time of year.
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
I teared up at the inaugeration, but haven't been all that invested in any particular issue...I've had other things on my mind.
35. Who did you miss?
Supergirl & Superboy, my family (all the way on the other side of the state), my grandmother.
36. Who was the best new person you met?
Supergirl & Superboy!
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
Sometimes the best response is silence, even if it kills you.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"Don't trust a ho."
