Annual year-end survey.
Past years' surveys can be found here: http://ashleigh919.livejournal.com/tag/year-end
1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
I graduated from law school.
I took a bar exam.
I passed a bar exam.
I left the country for the first time ever (went to Israel).
I knew what I wanted in something and got it.
I found someone who truly respects me for who I am.
I was made a bridesmaid.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't make New Year's resolutions. No one keeps them anyway. (This is the same answer every year, I think.)
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not that I know of.
5. What countries did you visit?
I changed this answer for the firs time ever! I went to Israel and stopped in Switzerland both ways.
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
A JD and a bar admission. :P <-- that was my answer last year, and it came true!
How about a job and a stable relationship for this coming year? Haha.
7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon you memory, and why?
April 2 - did something difficult, but necessary related to ending a friendship
May 22 - law school graduation
July 29 and 30 - Massachusetts bar exam
August 2 - left for Israel
November 14, 15, 16 - personal
December 4 - I was admitted to the Massachusetts bar.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Clearly, graduating from law school and getting admitted to the bar were huge. Finally leaving the country for the first time ever was an amazing experience, aside from my lost luggage.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I'm almost certain, for once, that I didn't have a major failure during the year.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No, except for the searing pain I'm currently feeling between my shoulder blades, which comes and goes.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
$2600 bar review course. New shoes, new boots, and my fabulous orange coat.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Just the world's best friends or course.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
A now ex-friend. People can be so selfish. There is a difference between being headstrong and being selfish, immature, and rude.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Rent, school, gas, fun with friends.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Boys - duh! Finishing law school. Living life to its fullest potential. (same as last year.)
16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
"I've Had the Time of My Life." - from Dirty Dancing.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
I. Happier or sadder? Happier.
II. Thinner or fatter? Thinner, I think.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Making money!
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Schoolwork.
Spending money.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I stayed in Boston, which was a wonderful idea. I went to one of my favorite people's house for a party on Christmas eve and had an amazing evening. Then I was a bad girl (haha). But I had some Chinese food, so it was okay. Spent some time with said great person, drove him to the airport, and then I did housework and packed for Boston. I had more Chinese food, and then I had some friends over before leaving for the airport at 9:00 P.M.
21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
Quite possibly...but that is for me to know.
22. How many one-night stands?
Zero hero!
23. What was your favorite TV program?
How I Met Your Mother, Good Wife, Modern Family, the news, 60 Minutes
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hate is such a strong word. There are a few people with whom I am no longer friends, but for good reasons.
25. What was the best book you read?
Brandeis' Essays on Democracy
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Heartsleeves! Haha. Let's see if Ben reads this...
27. What did you want and get?
I'm working on getting what I wanted. I can say I found something true and genuine, and I couldn't be happier. I wanted to pass the bar, and I got that, so I can't ask for much more now.
28. What did you want and not get?
I would say a new car, but the redesign is coming soon, and I've been waiting for that.
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
I think I went to one movie in 2009, so I think I'm going to pass on this.
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 26 on Saturday, September 19. It was Rosh Hashanah, so I got breakfast across the street and went to services until early afternoon. Jen F. and I went to brunch in the South End, and then I did a little shopping. I finished off the day by going to dinner with my saviors, Judy and Sasha. I then had a big celebration the week after.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I would have liked to know one thing for certain, but it's still in development. ;)
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Marc Jacobs! Haha. I matured a lot, and my style is refined with a flair. Trendy, but classic.
33. What kept you sane?
Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and never forgetting that my goals, which difficult to achieve, are not impossible.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I pay no attention to celebrities.
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Healthcare, I guess? I also wish people like me without income could get federal stimulus money.
36. Who did you miss?
I missed my best friends who live far away. I miss someone now, but that's silly.
37. Who was the best new person you met?
I'm pretty sure he knows who he is, and I know I'm very lucky.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
Discovering yourself is key. Never give up. It comes to you when you least expect it.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Journey - Don't Stop Believin'
Just a small town girl
Livin' in a lonely world
She took the midnight train
Goin' anywhere
Just a city boy
Born and raised in South Detroit
He took the midnight train
Goin' anywhere
A singer in a smokey room
A smell of wine and cheap perfume
For a smile they can share the night
It goes on and on and on and on
Strangers waiting
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching
In the night
Streetlights, people
Livin' just to find emotion
Hidin', somewhere in the night
Workin' hard to get my fill
Everybody wants a thrill
Payin' anything to roll the dice
Just one more time
Some will win
Some will lose
Some were born to sing the blues
Oh, the movie never ends
It goes on and on and on and on
Strangers waiting
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching
In the night
Streetlights, people
Livin' just to find emotion
Hidin', somewhere in the night
Don't stop believin'
Hold on to the feelin'
Streetlights, people
Don't stop believin'
Hold on
Streetlights, people
AND Journey - Who's Cryin' Now?
It's been a mystery
And still they try to see
Why somethin' good can hurt so bad
Caught on a one-way streets
The taste of bittersweet
Love will survive somehow, some way
One love feeds the fire
One heart burns desire
Wonder who's cryin' now
Two hearts born to run
Who'll be the lonely one
Wonder who's cryin' now
So many stormy nights
So many wrongs or rights
Neither could change
Their headstrong ways
And in a lover's rage
They tore another page
The fightin' is worth
The love they save
One love feeds the fire
One heart burns desire
Wonder who's cryin' now
Two hearts born to run
Who'll be the lonely one
Wonder who's cryin' now
Only so many tears you can cry
'Til the heartache is over
And now you can say your love
Will never die
Whoooooa-oh-whoa
Whoooa-oh
Ooooooh-whoa, ooh-whooa
One love feeds the fire
One heart burns desire
Wonder who's cryin' now
Two hearts born to run
Who'll be the lonely one
Wonder who's cryin' now
1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
I graduated from law school.
I took a bar exam.
I passed a bar exam.
I left the country for the first time ever (went to Israel).
I knew what I wanted in something and got it.
I found someone who truly respects me for who I am.
I was made a bridesmaid.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't make New Year's resolutions. No one keeps them anyway. (This is the same answer every year, I think.)
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not that I know of.
5. What countries did you visit?
I changed this answer for the firs time ever! I went to Israel and stopped in Switzerland both ways.
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
A JD and a bar admission. :P <-- that was my answer last year, and it came true!
How about a job and a stable relationship for this coming year? Haha.
7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon you memory, and why?
April 2 - did something difficult, but necessary related to ending a friendship
May 22 - law school graduation
July 29 and 30 - Massachusetts bar exam
August 2 - left for Israel
November 14, 15, 16 - personal
December 4 - I was admitted to the Massachusetts bar.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Clearly, graduating from law school and getting admitted to the bar were huge. Finally leaving the country for the first time ever was an amazing experience, aside from my lost luggage.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I'm almost certain, for once, that I didn't have a major failure during the year.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No, except for the searing pain I'm currently feeling between my shoulder blades, which comes and goes.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
$2600 bar review course. New shoes, new boots, and my fabulous orange coat.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Just the world's best friends or course.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
A now ex-friend. People can be so selfish. There is a difference between being headstrong and being selfish, immature, and rude.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Rent, school, gas, fun with friends.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Boys - duh! Finishing law school. Living life to its fullest potential. (same as last year.)
16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
"I've Had the Time of My Life." - from Dirty Dancing.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
I. Happier or sadder? Happier.
II. Thinner or fatter? Thinner, I think.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Making money!
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Schoolwork.
Spending money.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I stayed in Boston, which was a wonderful idea. I went to one of my favorite people's house for a party on Christmas eve and had an amazing evening. Then I was a bad girl (haha). But I had some Chinese food, so it was okay. Spent some time with said great person, drove him to the airport, and then I did housework and packed for Boston. I had more Chinese food, and then I had some friends over before leaving for the airport at 9:00 P.M.
21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
Quite possibly...but that is for me to know.
22. How many one-night stands?
Zero hero!
23. What was your favorite TV program?
How I Met Your Mother, Good Wife, Modern Family, the news, 60 Minutes
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hate is such a strong word. There are a few people with whom I am no longer friends, but for good reasons.
25. What was the best book you read?
Brandeis' Essays on Democracy
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Heartsleeves! Haha. Let's see if Ben reads this...
27. What did you want and get?
I'm working on getting what I wanted. I can say I found something true and genuine, and I couldn't be happier. I wanted to pass the bar, and I got that, so I can't ask for much more now.
28. What did you want and not get?
I would say a new car, but the redesign is coming soon, and I've been waiting for that.
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
I think I went to one movie in 2009, so I think I'm going to pass on this.
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 26 on Saturday, September 19. It was Rosh Hashanah, so I got breakfast across the street and went to services until early afternoon. Jen F. and I went to brunch in the South End, and then I did a little shopping. I finished off the day by going to dinner with my saviors, Judy and Sasha. I then had a big celebration the week after.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I would have liked to know one thing for certain, but it's still in development. ;)
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Marc Jacobs! Haha. I matured a lot, and my style is refined with a flair. Trendy, but classic.
33. What kept you sane?
Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and never forgetting that my goals, which difficult to achieve, are not impossible.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I pay no attention to celebrities.
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Healthcare, I guess? I also wish people like me without income could get federal stimulus money.
36. Who did you miss?
I missed my best friends who live far away. I miss someone now, but that's silly.
37. Who was the best new person you met?
I'm pretty sure he knows who he is, and I know I'm very lucky.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
Discovering yourself is key. Never give up. It comes to you when you least expect it.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Journey - Don't Stop Believin'
Just a small town girl
Livin' in a lonely world
She took the midnight train
Goin' anywhere
Just a city boy
Born and raised in South Detroit
He took the midnight train
Goin' anywhere
A singer in a smokey room
A smell of wine and cheap perfume
For a smile they can share the night
It goes on and on and on and on
Strangers waiting
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching
In the night
Streetlights, people
Livin' just to find emotion
Hidin', somewhere in the night
Workin' hard to get my fill
Everybody wants a thrill
Payin' anything to roll the dice
Just one more time
Some will win
Some will lose
Some were born to sing the blues
Oh, the movie never ends
It goes on and on and on and on
Strangers waiting
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching
In the night
Streetlights, people
Livin' just to find emotion
Hidin', somewhere in the night
Don't stop believin'
Hold on to the feelin'
Streetlights, people
Don't stop believin'
Hold on
Streetlights, people
AND Journey - Who's Cryin' Now?
It's been a mystery
And still they try to see
Why somethin' good can hurt so bad
Caught on a one-way streets
The taste of bittersweet
Love will survive somehow, some way
One love feeds the fire
One heart burns desire
Wonder who's cryin' now
Two hearts born to run
Who'll be the lonely one
Wonder who's cryin' now
So many stormy nights
So many wrongs or rights
Neither could change
Their headstrong ways
And in a lover's rage
They tore another page
The fightin' is worth
The love they save
One love feeds the fire
One heart burns desire
Wonder who's cryin' now
Two hearts born to run
Who'll be the lonely one
Wonder who's cryin' now
Only so many tears you can cry
'Til the heartache is over
And now you can say your love
Will never die
Whoooooa-oh-whoa
Whoooa-oh
Ooooooh-whoa, ooh-whooa
One love feeds the fire
One heart burns desire
Wonder who's cryin' now
Two hearts born to run
Who'll be the lonely one
Wonder who's cryin' now