2008 wrap-up
1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Took a staycation, became an Assistant Editor.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't remember mine from last year, and don't feel like looking them up. I'll probably make more for this year (run a half marathon, cut down on sweets, become more focused at work, gossip less, love more, do more yoga...) and will probably forget those by next year, too.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.
5. What countries did you visit?
I just spent a lot of time going back and forth to Michigan this year; no international travel.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
More focus, less stress, more sanity.
7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
November 4th. Election.
February 6th. Love.
December 8th. Work.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
After two long years of hard work, I got promoted.
I let myself get swallowed up in love.
I acquired a book I absolutely love.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I lost focus at work and allowed myself to get overwhelmed.
I could have been a better friend to several people--one in particular.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had the flu last week.
11. What were the best things you bought?
My sweet dancin' shoes.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
J's. My family's.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Meh.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Rent (well, for the first half of the year, at least), debt repayment, flights to Michigan.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Barack Obama.
New love.
A promotion.
First big acquisition.
A vacation.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
"Mercy" by Duffy
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Undoubtedly happier.
ii. thinner or fatter? Maybe a little thinner?
iii. richer or poorer? A little richer, but still in loads of debt.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Relaxing. Yoga. Taking care of myself. Kissing. Sleeping.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Working!
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent it with the flu, surrounded by family, and with good food. I spent the break around it sleeping a lot, going to the movies almost every day, doing hours and hours of yoga, and running. I feel pretty damn good right now.
21. How will you be spending New Year's?
I spent it with my sisters, full of champagne, dancing at somebody's house.
22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Yes, I surely did.
23. How many one-night stands?
No comment.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Friday Night Lights!
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Yes.
26. What was the best book you read?
Hmm. Tough call. I really, really liked The Hunger Games. Oh, also Written on the Body by Jeanette Winterson. So good.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I listened to a whole lot of Leonard Cohen and The Beach Boys.
28. What did you want and get?
A promotion. Someone to love. For New York to feel like home.
29. What did you want and not get?
A certain friendship, less stress.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
I saw so, so many movies. I really liked Tell No One. And Slumdog Millionaire. And, yeah, I really liked The Dark Knight.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 25. Weezie came to visit me and we had a great day. That day and the whole weekend kind of blur together, but over the course of the weekend we saw two of my favorite bands, went to the movies, got facials, went to my favorite restaurant, watched two seasons of Weeds, and watched the Oscars. I did everything I wanted to do.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Less work.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Lazy! Flats and jeans and lots of black.
34. What kept you sane?
J. EE. Stella. Family. Downloaded TV shows. Trips to Michigan.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Barack Obama.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The presidential election, of course.
37. Who did you miss?
My parents. My sisters. Soma. Adam.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Karen! She's so great.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
Life is good.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"I just wanna sparkle for a moment / before I just fizzle out and die. / I'm happy 'cause I'm stupid, / scared of spiders, scared of flying. / If I wasn't so happy / I wouldn't be so scared of dying. / So just be gentle with me. / (I'm not as young as I was) / And I'll be gentle with you. / (I'm not as brave as I thought) / 'Cause my heart gets broken so easily, / so just be gentle, be gentle with me."