I actually think I skipped this survey last year.
1. What did you do in 2013 that you'd never done before?
-For the first time ever, I considered the medical field in general as an option for my future. Dipped my toes in by completing the Nurse Aide course, passing the state exam and trying two different options: Long Term Care (nursing home) and Home Health Care. This led to a million other first, like the first time I walked around with barrier cream in my pocket, the first time I washed a handful of (unused) gloves in my scrubs, heck the first time I ever purchased and wore scrubs. Also, one of THE very first times I felt proud of my job and the direction I was heading in. Am heading in.
Other firsts: went para-sailing, gave an adult human a shower/wiped adult human butts, got stung by a jelly fish, got a cavity so bad my tooth broke off (sad), made it to three years a the restaurant and then quit!, talked about marriage and children with a boyfriend, lived with a teenager I am not related to, lived with a best friend and then her boyfriend, made a homemade dog birthday cake for Zadie and Frodo's first birthday, went to a Braves and Cubs game in Atlanta, ,met Jon's mom (I never met Nate's mom, so I guess it's the first time I met any s.o.'s mom), went to Alabama, rode the buses and the metro? in Atlanta, played fantasy football with Jon, saw Mumford and Sons, rescued a boxer (Percy) with my mom--and by "rescued" I mean we went and lured him into safety because someone just abandoned him in the woods and he was emaciated, tried P90x, went to Myrtle Beach, stayed in a really nice hotel, got to buy people things for Christmas, oh! I took my plugs out, etc.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I kept a few and broke a few, like always. I am going a little bit of a different route this year.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Misty from work had a little girl named Andromeda.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
We lost a lot of residents. I was closest to Cora, and still miss her, but it'd be hard to say whether she felt close to me.
5. What countries did you visit?
America only, again.
6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?
Adventure, FUN, romance, good food, more friends, SCHOOL, more pictures, etc.
7. What date from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
The day I passed my state Nurse Aide exam, the day I started feeling competent at the nursing (like new people ask me for help and my co-workers are happy when I'm working), the day Jon asked me to move with him out of state, and then later the date Jon asked me to go ahead and move in with him before we move (haha).
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Definitely becoming a CNA and deciding that I want to be a nurse. I finally feel like I have a legit, obtainable profession chosen and I think it matches my personality fairly well. I am proud of myself. I wish I would have taken the medical classes in high school, I can't even remember what they were called now, but you graduated with the ability to go take the state exam and be a CNA at 18. EDIT: They were called "Allied Health" classes in Haywood County, NC.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I guess, not working things out with Nico better. We're still friendly now, but I don't know if I could have done something differently to handle it better. Oh, also I verbally attacked my brother's girlfriend this year. Whoops.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Jellyfish sting and the cavity.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Not sure, but the best gifts I was given are Marc Jacobs Daisy and my L.L. Bean boots.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Phoebe's vet bills. EDIT: And DOG FOOD. Seriously, so much money.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The beach! Getting to see my first pro baseball game (especially the Cubs because it was my grandmother's favorite team and I used to watch their games with her all the time when I was little), meeting Jon's mom, Mumford and Sons, and becoming a CNA.
16. What song will always remind you of 2013?
"Royals" by Lorde in an annoying way and anything by Mumford and Sons
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder - Definitely happier
Older or wiser - Hopefully both
Thinner or fatter? - Thinner, but also more muscular
Richer or poorer? - Richer
18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Relaxing and having fun and trusting.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Worrying!
20. How will you be spending Christmas? I already had Christmas. We had a dinner at Jon's and invited my mom and sister over.
21. How many one-night stands?
None. I've only been with Jon, all year.
22. Did you fall in love in 2013?
You could say that.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Orange is the New Black, Scandal, Grey's Anatomy (not guilty, guilty-pleasure), just started X-Files and I like it.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hmm. No?
26. What was the best book you read?
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman and NW by Zadie Smith. I did not read many books this year, I can only think of 6.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I have no idea, for once.
28. What did you want and get?
Security, comfort and trust in a relationship, happiness, new things and excitement, a bit of travel, and my dogs are still alive and relatively healthy (Phoebe's working on it).
29. What did you want and not get?
To leave the country, and to go ahead and start school. I can do both of those things in time.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
I liked Catching Fire and This is 40, I guess.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 24 and my boyfriend took me out to a Japanese steakhouse.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If we had moved already, like we were told.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?
I tried a lot harder to dress nice this year. I bought necklaces!
34. What kept you sane?
Jon Mckasson, dogs, the ocean, the sun, myself, progress and hope
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Beyonce, haha
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
I said reproductive rights in '11, and I'll say it again. Also, I watched Blackfish and signed like 20 petitions against SeaWorld, so that too.
37. Who did you miss?
Annie, mostly.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
All the ladies I work with at the nursing home, and a few residents. Also, Nancy and Royce two of my home health clients that really taught me things about nursing.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013: That thing you are really worried about and stressing about? Yeah, it's unlikely that it will kill you. I am a lot stronger (physically, emotionally, mentally) than I used to think, and I can do anything if I just do it.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
I don't know. For fun:
Every year I just make a ridiculously long list of resolutions like, "Do yoga for 30 days straight, drink more water, read 100 books, etc" and then I don't accomplish them. So, my new year's resolution this year is don't worry/think so much. Be less uptight. Say, "yes" more, do more, have more fun. Just go for it and trust yourself.