2008 Year End Review
This year is ending. 2009 is going to kick the poop outta me. Comps, SIP, Graduation, finding a job, etc. But I always try to remain hopeful. So I hope this year will be just as good.
I'll be posting my Christmas Letter entry as soon as it's done (which is something I do every year). Right now, though, here's my 2008 Year in Review.
1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
I lived in a foreign country, traveled to Peru, Colombia (and more around Ecuador). Voted in a presidential election. Filmed a documentary (a long one). Went to the bars (haha). Was someone's maid of honor. Became a blogger. Can't think of more.
2. Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Last year's resolutions were:
1. Make a film (or two)
2. Rediscover my writing (poetry, playwriting, or otherwise)
3. Lose some more weight
4. Kick my perfectionist habit
5. Spend a lot of time with the people I love (friends, family, etc.)
6. Become more comfortable in my own skin
And it makes me cringe to see the third one. Grosssss. I actually did all of them. Made some films, rediscovered writing. Lost weight, and happily gained it back. Probably didn't completely kick my perfectionism, but I did become more relaxed (two B-s this quarter=progress! Just need to scrape by!). Spent lots of time with people I love (not enough). DEFINITELY became more comfortable in my own skin.
New Resolutions?
1. Get Healthy.
2. Become more comfortable in my own skin.
3. Read more.
4. Spend even more time with friends/family.
5. Stop being afraid of the unknown.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope. If they had, I would've bought them baby clothes in Ecuador! They're soooo cute!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully, no.
5. What countries did you visit?
Ecuador, Colombia, Peru. Whew! Pretty good me.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Fun. Interpret that as you may.
7. What date(s) from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory?
Election day 2008. The day I went to Machu Picchu. Everyday in the Galapagos. The day I left Ecuador for good, and cried. The day of my Rebooblution.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Becoming happier with myself. By far. Chillin' out, yo.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not getting to the above sooner. (see last years New Year's Resolutions...)
10. (didn't exist, so I'm adding one) Any regrets?
That I can't get completely over my perfectionism and just relax a bit.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Charango for David. Wait, that wasn't this year....hmmm...my new LB Bras? Starting the pre-stated rebooblution?
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My mother. Always my mother. She's incredible.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The media. Mostly about, well, everything election related.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Traveling, school, clothing.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Coming home from Ecuador and starting at K again. Silly me.
16. What song/album will always remind you of 2008?
The Chenille Sisters' “Crazy People” because it's like...the characterization of my SIP.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. Happier or sadder? Happier.
ii. Thinner or fatter? Who fuckin' gives a shit. I should stop filling this out right now? Maybe instead I'll change it to “awesome or awesome?” I'll say awesome. Thanks.
iii. Richer or poorer? Richer. Culturally and economically.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Having fun.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Caring about bullshit.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
At home with my family. Best ever.
21. (again, there wasn't one, so let's make one up) What was the favorite place you went this year?
Isla Isabella, Galapagos Islands. Machu Picchu, Peru. Parque Ichimbia, Quito, Ecuador. Home.
22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
No. Wish I had.
23. How many one night stands in this last year?
Zero. Stupid question.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Pushing Daisies. Soooo good. I'm going to miss it. The West Wing, too. As always.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Sarah Palin? I dunno.
26. What was the best book you read?
Haha. If I say Twilight, so many people will think I'm crazy. I really haven't read anything for fun. And there's always rereading...Harry Potter 7, that is...
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Reggaeton? I dunno. I dunno what new music I've really been listening to...
28. What did you want and get?
I wanted a great year, and I got it...
29. What did you want and not get?
More time to travel.
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
Hmmm...well, to spare the making-fun-of-me from saying “Twilight” I'll say “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day.” LOVED IT. And now I own it!!
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
My 21st b-day was rung in at Senior Soiree with Elena, Eliz, Gwen, John, Joel, etc. Then, Katie and Paul and Jamie came out from Ann Arbor, and we ended the day with a trip to Monaco Bay, and Cosmos.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More time to travel. Higher self-confidence.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Plus size +! Excitement about looking hot in clothes.
34. What kept you sane?
My mom. Period. She always keeps me sane.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you like the most?
Kate Winslet always tops my charts. She's sexy and fights for the right to not care about how she looks.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The election. The economy. The war.
37. Who did you miss?
My family when we weren't all together. My host family once I was back in the States.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
I met a lot of documentary-types that have made my year a lot more fun.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006.
How to savor life. Take things slow, have fun. That has to do with Ecuador 100%. The thing I miss most is the pace of life, and how easy it was to enjoy myself.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
“May I suggest, May I suggest to you, May I suggest this is the best part of your life. This time is blessed. This time is blessed for you, this time is blessed and shining almost blinding bright.” --Susan Werner, May I Suggest
I'll be posting my Christmas Letter entry as soon as it's done (which is something I do every year). Right now, though, here's my 2008 Year in Review.
1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
I lived in a foreign country, traveled to Peru, Colombia (and more around Ecuador). Voted in a presidential election. Filmed a documentary (a long one). Went to the bars (haha). Was someone's maid of honor. Became a blogger. Can't think of more.
2. Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Last year's resolutions were:
1. Make a film (or two)
2. Rediscover my writing (poetry, playwriting, or otherwise)
3. Lose some more weight
4. Kick my perfectionist habit
5. Spend a lot of time with the people I love (friends, family, etc.)
6. Become more comfortable in my own skin
And it makes me cringe to see the third one. Grosssss. I actually did all of them. Made some films, rediscovered writing. Lost weight, and happily gained it back. Probably didn't completely kick my perfectionism, but I did become more relaxed (two B-s this quarter=progress! Just need to scrape by!). Spent lots of time with people I love (not enough). DEFINITELY became more comfortable in my own skin.
New Resolutions?
1. Get Healthy.
2. Become more comfortable in my own skin.
3. Read more.
4. Spend even more time with friends/family.
5. Stop being afraid of the unknown.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope. If they had, I would've bought them baby clothes in Ecuador! They're soooo cute!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully, no.
5. What countries did you visit?
Ecuador, Colombia, Peru. Whew! Pretty good me.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Fun. Interpret that as you may.
7. What date(s) from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory?
Election day 2008. The day I went to Machu Picchu. Everyday in the Galapagos. The day I left Ecuador for good, and cried. The day of my Rebooblution.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Becoming happier with myself. By far. Chillin' out, yo.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not getting to the above sooner. (see last years New Year's Resolutions...)
10. (didn't exist, so I'm adding one) Any regrets?
That I can't get completely over my perfectionism and just relax a bit.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Charango for David. Wait, that wasn't this year....hmmm...my new LB Bras? Starting the pre-stated rebooblution?
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My mother. Always my mother. She's incredible.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The media. Mostly about, well, everything election related.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Traveling, school, clothing.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Coming home from Ecuador and starting at K again. Silly me.
16. What song/album will always remind you of 2008?
The Chenille Sisters' “Crazy People” because it's like...the characterization of my SIP.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. Happier or sadder? Happier.
ii. Thinner or fatter? Who fuckin' gives a shit. I should stop filling this out right now? Maybe instead I'll change it to “awesome or awesome?” I'll say awesome. Thanks.
iii. Richer or poorer? Richer. Culturally and economically.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Having fun.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Caring about bullshit.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
At home with my family. Best ever.
21. (again, there wasn't one, so let's make one up) What was the favorite place you went this year?
Isla Isabella, Galapagos Islands. Machu Picchu, Peru. Parque Ichimbia, Quito, Ecuador. Home.
22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
No. Wish I had.
23. How many one night stands in this last year?
Zero. Stupid question.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Pushing Daisies. Soooo good. I'm going to miss it. The West Wing, too. As always.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Sarah Palin? I dunno.
26. What was the best book you read?
Haha. If I say Twilight, so many people will think I'm crazy. I really haven't read anything for fun. And there's always rereading...Harry Potter 7, that is...
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Reggaeton? I dunno. I dunno what new music I've really been listening to...
28. What did you want and get?
I wanted a great year, and I got it...
29. What did you want and not get?
More time to travel.
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
Hmmm...well, to spare the making-fun-of-me from saying “Twilight” I'll say “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day.” LOVED IT. And now I own it!!
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
My 21st b-day was rung in at Senior Soiree with Elena, Eliz, Gwen, John, Joel, etc. Then, Katie and Paul and Jamie came out from Ann Arbor, and we ended the day with a trip to Monaco Bay, and Cosmos.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More time to travel. Higher self-confidence.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Plus size +! Excitement about looking hot in clothes.
34. What kept you sane?
My mom. Period. She always keeps me sane.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you like the most?
Kate Winslet always tops my charts. She's sexy and fights for the right to not care about how she looks.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The election. The economy. The war.
37. Who did you miss?
My family when we weren't all together. My host family once I was back in the States.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
I met a lot of documentary-types that have made my year a lot more fun.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006.
How to savor life. Take things slow, have fun. That has to do with Ecuador 100%. The thing I miss most is the pace of life, and how easy it was to enjoy myself.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
“May I suggest, May I suggest to you, May I suggest this is the best part of your life. This time is blessed. This time is blessed for you, this time is blessed and shining almost blinding bright.” --Susan Werner, May I Suggest