2011 Year In Review
Fourth Year of remembering to do this!
2010
2009
2008
Where did you begin 2011?
David and I spent our first night in our new house. We had dessert by candlelight
What was your status by Valentine's Day?
Living with David.
Were you in school (anytime this year)?
I took a 3-day class and passed the ITIL Certification. I also trained for another new job at Vanderbilt starting in September.
Did you have to go to the hospital?
No, thank God
Did you have any encounters with the police?
No
Where did you go on vacation?
Las Vegas for MMS in March
Detroit for Liz & Thomie's wedding in April
Norfolk, VA to visit Erica and Andy in August
Paducah, KY, Grand Rivers, KY and Sikeston, MO for food and Purple Toad Winery in August
Atlanta for Dragon*Con in September
Center Hill for crafting weekend in September
Detroit for Thanksgiving in November
What did you purchase that was over $500?
Nothing that comes to mind, though David made some large purchases (engagement/wedding rings, new oven, new microwave, opossum removal, new tv and probably other things for the house)
Did you know anybody who got married?
Liz & Thomie in April
Megan & John in July
Did you know anybody who passed away?
A lucky year with no close deaths.
What sporting events did you attend?
Nashville Rollergirls with David and Lily
Where do you live now?
Nashville, TN
Describe your birthday.
Piped Piper Eatery with the family
Anne, Andrea, Kathy and their families came to my house for dinner
What's the one thing you thought you would never do but did in 2011?
Get a salaried job
What has been your favorite moment(s)?
David's proposal
Christmas Eve
Meeting Wil Wheaton & Felicia Day
Any new additions to your family?
No
What was your best month?
September
Who has been your best drinking buddy?
I rarely drink, but I did enjoy a few glasses of wine with David this year.
Made new friends?
New friends at Vanderbilt
Favorite Night[s] out?
Dragon*Con nights with David, Matthew, Jenn & JB.
Any regrets?
I'll say it again I try not to live with too many regrets. Just learn from them and move on.
What do you want to change in 2011?
Lose weight, save money...but what's new with that?
Overall, how would you rate this year?
Pretty awesome. Living with David proved to be a big change, but I'm glad we made the jump. He truly makes me happy everyday.
Have any life changing events in 2011?
David asked me to marry him on September 13, 2011
Change your hairstyle?
I started curl/straightening it on a regular basis and actually wearing makeup (though that has nothing to do with hair).
Get a new job?
I started with the Vandyworks team in September
How old did you turn this year?
34
Do you have a New Year's resolutions?
Lose weight
Save money
Cook healthy meals
Nothing new!
Did anything embarrassing?
I tripped and fell in front of the Preston Research Building because I hadn't gotten use to wearing my new Danskos. I trip over things frequently but rarely do I fall.
Get married or divorced?
Nope, just engaged!
Get arrested?
Nope
Be honest - did you watch American Idol?
Not this year.
Start a new hobby?
Started my own business: Made By Frogdiva where I make handbags, wallets and such. It's on hold for now, but I look forward to getting back into it in the spring.
Been snowboarding?
HAHA! WHERE?!?!?
Are you happy to see 2011 go?
Yes, but not for bad reasons. I have many plans for 2012
Drank Starbucks in 2011?
Lots and lots! I am Starbucks Gold now! Decaf Sugar Free Vanilla Soy Latte, Decaf Pumpkin Spice Latte and Decaf Skinny Peppermint Mocha
I went Decaf this year
Been naughty or nice?
Both
What are you wishing for in 2012?
Health, love and happiness
January- oved into the house
February- Birthday at Pied Piper
March- as Vegas for MMS
April- iz & Thomie's wedding, the Help Desk moved from the hospital to Green Hills
May- icadas! Lily's Birthday Tea Party, Paintings
June- tarted Made By Frogdiva
July- om's Birthday at our house
August- rip to Norfolk with David; Trip to Paduch with David, Mom and Dad
September- ragon*Con, Engagement, New job with Vandyworks
October- avid's Birthday at The Melting Pot
November- Shelton's 12th Birthday, Thanksgiving in Detroit
December- Christmas Eve at our house
------------------------------------------
Notable Books I read in 2011
I should keep a better list of books that I read. I'm working on it through GoodReads. If you're on there, then add me (if you haven't already)!
I'm pretty sure that I read more than what I listed here, but last winter and spring is kind of hazy. Plus, I read 8 books in a series, so that's already 7 more in the list. So let's just say that this is an incomplete list of books that I read in 2011 but were noteworthy for some reason or another.
Also, it should be noted that there are currently 95 books on my To Read List on Goodreads. My list is always growing faster than I can read
2010
2009
2008
Where did you begin 2011?
David and I spent our first night in our new house. We had dessert by candlelight
What was your status by Valentine's Day?
Living with David.
Were you in school (anytime this year)?
I took a 3-day class and passed the ITIL Certification. I also trained for another new job at Vanderbilt starting in September.
Did you have to go to the hospital?
No, thank God
Did you have any encounters with the police?
No
Where did you go on vacation?
Las Vegas for MMS in March
Detroit for Liz & Thomie's wedding in April
Norfolk, VA to visit Erica and Andy in August
Paducah, KY, Grand Rivers, KY and Sikeston, MO for food and Purple Toad Winery in August
Atlanta for Dragon*Con in September
Center Hill for crafting weekend in September
Detroit for Thanksgiving in November
What did you purchase that was over $500?
Nothing that comes to mind, though David made some large purchases (engagement/wedding rings, new oven, new microwave, opossum removal, new tv and probably other things for the house)
Did you know anybody who got married?
Liz & Thomie in April
Megan & John in July
Did you know anybody who passed away?
A lucky year with no close deaths.
What sporting events did you attend?
Nashville Rollergirls with David and Lily
Where do you live now?
Nashville, TN
Describe your birthday.
Piped Piper Eatery with the family
Anne, Andrea, Kathy and their families came to my house for dinner
What's the one thing you thought you would never do but did in 2011?
Get a salaried job
What has been your favorite moment(s)?
David's proposal
Christmas Eve
Meeting Wil Wheaton & Felicia Day
Any new additions to your family?
No
What was your best month?
September
Who has been your best drinking buddy?
I rarely drink, but I did enjoy a few glasses of wine with David this year.
Made new friends?
New friends at Vanderbilt
Favorite Night[s] out?
Dragon*Con nights with David, Matthew, Jenn & JB.
Any regrets?
I'll say it again I try not to live with too many regrets. Just learn from them and move on.
What do you want to change in 2011?
Lose weight, save money...but what's new with that?
Overall, how would you rate this year?
Pretty awesome. Living with David proved to be a big change, but I'm glad we made the jump. He truly makes me happy everyday.
Have any life changing events in 2011?
David asked me to marry him on September 13, 2011
Change your hairstyle?
I started curl/straightening it on a regular basis and actually wearing makeup (though that has nothing to do with hair).
Get a new job?
I started with the Vandyworks team in September
How old did you turn this year?
34
Do you have a New Year's resolutions?
Lose weight
Save money
Cook healthy meals
Nothing new!
Did anything embarrassing?
I tripped and fell in front of the Preston Research Building because I hadn't gotten use to wearing my new Danskos. I trip over things frequently but rarely do I fall.
Get married or divorced?
Nope, just engaged!
Get arrested?
Nope
Be honest - did you watch American Idol?
Not this year.
Start a new hobby?
Started my own business: Made By Frogdiva where I make handbags, wallets and such. It's on hold for now, but I look forward to getting back into it in the spring.
Been snowboarding?
HAHA! WHERE?!?!?
Are you happy to see 2011 go?
Yes, but not for bad reasons. I have many plans for 2012
Drank Starbucks in 2011?
Lots and lots! I am Starbucks Gold now! Decaf Sugar Free Vanilla Soy Latte, Decaf Pumpkin Spice Latte and Decaf Skinny Peppermint Mocha
I went Decaf this year
Been naughty or nice?
Both
What are you wishing for in 2012?
Health, love and happiness
January- oved into the house
February- Birthday at Pied Piper
March- as Vegas for MMS
April- iz & Thomie's wedding, the Help Desk moved from the hospital to Green Hills
May- icadas! Lily's Birthday Tea Party, Paintings
June- tarted Made By Frogdiva
July- om's Birthday at our house
August- rip to Norfolk with David; Trip to Paduch with David, Mom and Dad
September- ragon*Con, Engagement, New job with Vandyworks
October- avid's Birthday at The Melting Pot
November- Shelton's 12th Birthday, Thanksgiving in Detroit
December- Christmas Eve at our house
------------------------------------------
Notable Books I read in 2011
I should keep a better list of books that I read. I'm working on it through GoodReads. If you're on there, then add me (if you haven't already)!
I'm pretty sure that I read more than what I listed here, but last winter and spring is kind of hazy. Plus, I read 8 books in a series, so that's already 7 more in the list. So let's just say that this is an incomplete list of books that I read in 2011 but were noteworthy for some reason or another.
Also, it should be noted that there are currently 95 books on my To Read List on Goodreads. My list is always growing faster than I can read
- Is Everyone Haning Out Without Me? by Mindy KalingI - I don't pay full price for many books, but I anticipated this book's release for months before it's release date, based just on the excerpts that were released to promote the book. The book did not disappoint, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The book was written in a sort of blog-like way, but it was not content that was already offered in her blog (like some blogs to books are)
- Bossypants by Tina Fey Again, I don't like paying full price for a book, so I kept waiting for the price to go down. It never did, but I got a Kindle for Christmas with a couple of Amazon gift cards, so I splurged. I enjoyed the book so much that it only took me 2 days to finish, which doesn't happen often. I couldn't put the book down, though it also helps that I didn't have to work 2 of those days. Tina Fey is such a regular person despite her celebrity status. The book just made me love her more than I already did!
- The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collin - I heard a little about this series before reading it but didn't really think it was for me. A friend recommended it to me when I was looking for something to read while on vacation in March, and the story enveloped me. I finished all 3 books within a week or so (part on vacation, part after returning to the real world). Shortly after reading the series, the promotions for the movie began, so now everyone is reading them. I hope the movie doesn't disappoint or I will have turn into #127 of Stuff White People Like
- The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein An awesome read told from the perspective of a dog. No, really! It's worth reading and will make you look at your pets differently
- There's No Place Like Here by Cecelia Ahern This one had great potential but just didn't follow through
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon This one took me quite awhile to read because I would read other books in between. I wish I had enjoyed it more, but it just didn't keep my interest. I also felt that the author rushed the story at the end like he had a maximum page limit to write, and he realized about 20 pages until the end that he wasn't done with the story
- To See You Again by Betty Schimmel Another Nazi Concentration Camp story but well told. The author is the mother of the (recently deceased) comedian Robert Schimmel.
- The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards I feel like everyone who reads regularly has ready this one. The story was interesting, but I felt like the father character wasn't all that genuine even for the time period. Don't bother with the Lifetime movie made based on the book unless you hate men
- Shopgirl by Steve Martin The novella that was made into a movie. Of course the book is better than the movie, but I cried during both.
- Skin Hunger by Kathleen Duey I actually read this one in the past, but it's worth mentioning. The author is a YA Lit author, but this series (so far 2 of 3 have been written) is rather dark and more complicated than The Hunger Games, in my opinion. Oh, I met the author at Dragon*Con in 2008...and not just at an autograph table.
- The Aurora Teagarden series by Charlaine Harris This series of 8 books was written by the author of the Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood series and are quick mystery reads. I've read most of Charlaine's series, and this one is my favorite. There are no paranormal, psychic or fantasy characters in this series, though after awhile you feel like Aurora is like the dog, Lassie, and trouble always seems to happen around her
- Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen Another book that probably any regular book reader has read. Don't hate on it based on Robert Pattinson being in the movie. Also, the book was slightly different with the secondary character's stories than the movie portrayed. I think they wanted to make the movie a little more simple. Okay, so I guess I am #127 of Stuff White People Like
- The Bone Yard by Jefferson Bass This is the sixth book in the Body Farm fiction series based on the experience of William Bass, the UT Knoxville anthropologist who started the Forensic Anthropology Research Facility known as the Body Farm. Awesome series if you're into forensics or mysteries. I had the opportunity to visit the real Body Farm and meet Dr. Bass in college, as well as take some of his 1-day courses. His personality and voice truly comes out in the fictional character, Dr. Bill Brockton