2011 in review
I'm a bit late with my year in review for 2011. I haven't been using LJ as much as I used to, certainly, but I occassionally do like to write a longer post here and there. And with the new profile format on FB (Timeline) being imminent, it's entirely possible that I'll stop micro-blogging and move back to LJ writing short stories about the happenings in my life. So, I figured for consistency's sake, I'd pull together a year in review before it got too much later in the year. So to that end, here's my take on 2011.
1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
Went to Amsterdam.
2. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
Confidence.
3. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
January 4th b/c I started a new job.
July 14th b/c my nephew, Luca, was born.
4. What was/were your biggest achievement(s)/success(es) of the year?
I learned a lot this year in my new job. One thing I was most proud of was a performance assessment I developed, managed, and wrote up for a client. It’s something I’ve never done before and a colleague upon whom I relied for guidance told me that I had organized the material so well he learned a few things from me. That felt like high praise and I was proud of myself for the accomplishment.
5. What was/were your biggest failure(s)/disappointment(s)?
I felt like I didn’t learn things quickly enough or take enough control of one of the projects I was on this past year. But it was very early on in my new job and I’m trying not to hold myself to unrealistic standards. My project manager seemed pleased with my work. I just know I could have done better.
6. What was the best thing(s) you bought?
The best thing I bought wasn’t so much a thing as an experience - our trip to Miami last March was one of the best yet. Second to that is probably a suit from Brooks Brothers. Every time I wear it I feel powerful and on top of my game. Silly, perhaps, but true.
7. Where did most of your money go?
Most of our money went toward our mortgage. After that - savings account (for travel, house repairs, and our emergency fund) and miscellaneous expenditures.
8. What did you get really excited about?
As usual, lots of things! My new job, the impromptu trip to Amsterdam, our trip to Miami, Tricia’s graduation, my nephew being born, Daryl coming back from a 2 year stint in Greece, the 1000 tulips that bloomed in spring, visits with friends, trips to the beach, the final Harry Potter movie...
9. What song(s), movie(s), tv show(s) will always remind you of 2011?
Avicci’s remix of Flo-rida’s “I get a good feeling.”
10. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
I’m probably the same in terms of happiness, fatter for sure (I’m no longer getting paid to be on my feet 8 hours a day!), and most definitely richer (the current desk job pays way better than retail).
11. What do you wish you'd done more of?
I don’t think I had time to do more of anything in 2011. If there'd been more time, then I guess I'd say working in my yard and 2 more trips - NY and London.
12. What do you wish you'd done less of?
I wish I’d been less critical of myself.
13. What was/were your greatest discovery/ies?
How much smaller a tulip bulb gets after blooming. It makes sense when you think about it - the bulb when you plant it is large b/c that is the food store for the plant. As it grows and uses the food, the bulb shrinks. I was just surprised at the size of some of the bulbs I unearthed as I planted other things this summer.
14. What did you want and get?
Lots of things. I had the freedom to travel and I spent lots of time with friends and family.
15. What did you want and not get?
A new bathroom in the basement. Maybe this year?
16. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 42 this year. I wasn’t in much of a celebrating mood at the time. I think we might have ordered pizza and had a quiet night in.
17. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Having confidence in myself would have made a huge difference in my year, psychologically speaking. Since I was in a new job where the learning curve was bigger than I anticipated, it took its toll. I’m still in the process of relearning to trust my instincts, but I’m getting there.
18. What kept you sane?
The unwavering support and understanding of my husband, family, and friends.
19. What valuable life lesson did you learn in 2011?
I don’t know if I learned a valuable life lesson last year. This question gets me thinking about the whole notion of it. I mean, I know myself pretty well. And is there a lesson to be learned every year? Perhaps they just come when they come for whatever reason. I can’t think of some earth-shattering A-ha! moment last year - that lesson learned that transformed how I think about things or how I live my life. I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing, but when I hit this last question and can’t think of an important life lesson learned, it makes me feel a bit like I wasn’t paying enough attention.
Anyway…, one thing that was reiterated for me last year is about finding the balance between alone time and time with others. I definitely need a certain amount of time by myself - I’ve known this for many years. And in the year that I worked from home between 2003 and 2004 while living in Phoenix, I learned that I also need a certain amount of face-to-face interaction with others. Too much time alone and I can spiral in to depression. I haven’t figured out the balance yet (and perhaps it’s something that evolves over time), but last year it was reinforced for me that while working from home is easy and comfortable, doing so 100% of the time is not ideal for me.
1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
Went to Amsterdam.
2. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
Confidence.
3. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
January 4th b/c I started a new job.
July 14th b/c my nephew, Luca, was born.
4. What was/were your biggest achievement(s)/success(es) of the year?
I learned a lot this year in my new job. One thing I was most proud of was a performance assessment I developed, managed, and wrote up for a client. It’s something I’ve never done before and a colleague upon whom I relied for guidance told me that I had organized the material so well he learned a few things from me. That felt like high praise and I was proud of myself for the accomplishment.
5. What was/were your biggest failure(s)/disappointment(s)?
I felt like I didn’t learn things quickly enough or take enough control of one of the projects I was on this past year. But it was very early on in my new job and I’m trying not to hold myself to unrealistic standards. My project manager seemed pleased with my work. I just know I could have done better.
6. What was the best thing(s) you bought?
The best thing I bought wasn’t so much a thing as an experience - our trip to Miami last March was one of the best yet. Second to that is probably a suit from Brooks Brothers. Every time I wear it I feel powerful and on top of my game. Silly, perhaps, but true.
7. Where did most of your money go?
Most of our money went toward our mortgage. After that - savings account (for travel, house repairs, and our emergency fund) and miscellaneous expenditures.
8. What did you get really excited about?
As usual, lots of things! My new job, the impromptu trip to Amsterdam, our trip to Miami, Tricia’s graduation, my nephew being born, Daryl coming back from a 2 year stint in Greece, the 1000 tulips that bloomed in spring, visits with friends, trips to the beach, the final Harry Potter movie...
9. What song(s), movie(s), tv show(s) will always remind you of 2011?
Avicci’s remix of Flo-rida’s “I get a good feeling.”
10. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
I’m probably the same in terms of happiness, fatter for sure (I’m no longer getting paid to be on my feet 8 hours a day!), and most definitely richer (the current desk job pays way better than retail).
11. What do you wish you'd done more of?
I don’t think I had time to do more of anything in 2011. If there'd been more time, then I guess I'd say working in my yard and 2 more trips - NY and London.
12. What do you wish you'd done less of?
I wish I’d been less critical of myself.
13. What was/were your greatest discovery/ies?
How much smaller a tulip bulb gets after blooming. It makes sense when you think about it - the bulb when you plant it is large b/c that is the food store for the plant. As it grows and uses the food, the bulb shrinks. I was just surprised at the size of some of the bulbs I unearthed as I planted other things this summer.
14. What did you want and get?
Lots of things. I had the freedom to travel and I spent lots of time with friends and family.
15. What did you want and not get?
A new bathroom in the basement. Maybe this year?
16. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 42 this year. I wasn’t in much of a celebrating mood at the time. I think we might have ordered pizza and had a quiet night in.
17. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Having confidence in myself would have made a huge difference in my year, psychologically speaking. Since I was in a new job where the learning curve was bigger than I anticipated, it took its toll. I’m still in the process of relearning to trust my instincts, but I’m getting there.
18. What kept you sane?
The unwavering support and understanding of my husband, family, and friends.
19. What valuable life lesson did you learn in 2011?
I don’t know if I learned a valuable life lesson last year. This question gets me thinking about the whole notion of it. I mean, I know myself pretty well. And is there a lesson to be learned every year? Perhaps they just come when they come for whatever reason. I can’t think of some earth-shattering A-ha! moment last year - that lesson learned that transformed how I think about things or how I live my life. I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing, but when I hit this last question and can’t think of an important life lesson learned, it makes me feel a bit like I wasn’t paying enough attention.
Anyway…, one thing that was reiterated for me last year is about finding the balance between alone time and time with others. I definitely need a certain amount of time by myself - I’ve known this for many years. And in the year that I worked from home between 2003 and 2004 while living in Phoenix, I learned that I also need a certain amount of face-to-face interaction with others. Too much time alone and I can spiral in to depression. I haven’t figured out the balance yet (and perhaps it’s something that evolves over time), but last year it was reinforced for me that while working from home is easy and comfortable, doing so 100% of the time is not ideal for me.