2009 in review
1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Got paid to model (including a spread in a magazine!), went to Europe, took a backpacking trip, rode on a real train, had to put a dog to sleep, started the process of adopting a child, went a year without seeing one of my brothers... =o(
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Not really, and no. I know C25K is some people's resolution, but we started that on November 30th!
3. Did anyone close to you have kids?
My friends Forrest & Shannon adopted twins. =o)
4. Did anyone close to you get married?
Not that I can think of at the moment.
5. Did anyone close to you die?
Mandy. =o(
6. Did you travel?
To North Carolina, Tennessee, England, France, Italy, Greece, El Salvador, Georgia, and Connecticut.
7. Did you move anywhere?
Nope! Which is a very good thing since I love it here.
8. What was the best month?
No contest - May! In May we went to four European countries, including Italy, which had been at the top of my Travel Wish List for years. Plus, my birthday is in May. =o)
9. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
A closer relationship with God, and a kid or kids! =oD And no house problems for once. That would be nice.
10. What date(s) from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
January 15 - My first paid modeling gig! May 12-June 3 - our Europe trip! July 2 - when we applied to our adoption agency! September 24 - When we said goodbye to Mandy.
11. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Finishing our adoption home study. Surviving year-end financial stuff at the church while switching systems and ways of doing things.
12. What was your biggest failure?
I have not built up relationships like I want to.
13. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Just minor things - colds, stomach issues, etc.
14. What was the best thing you bought?
The Europe trip, no doubt, especially since we managed to do it on a very small budget. It was the trip of a lifetime.
15. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Isaac's, as always, for being such a wonderful husband. Several other friends' for various reasons.
16. Whose behavior made you appalled and/or depressed?
Tiger Woods. I always really liked him - enough that I *almost* liked golf a tiny bit - and then he had to be so freaking stupid. Also, the entire liberal-run government, for not listening to the majority of their constituents, and for not caring one lick about what the Constitution says.
17. Where did most of your money go?
The mortgage, as usual. After that, the Europe trip and the adoption.
18. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Modeling (especially when the magazine came out =o) ), LJ Girls' Weekend in TN, Europe trip, El Salvador, beginning the adoption process, the Hanson concert with Kim and Brenda (and the rest of Brenda's visit), Halloween trip to Chattanooga with Lydia, Esther and Charity, going to Connecticut, and my espresso maker.
19. What song will always remind you of 2009?
"Mighty to Save". Also, "Jesus Saves" by Travis Cottrell.
20. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier - but that's always my answer. I love my life.
ii. thinner or fatter? The same, but with a bit more muscle (according to my latest body fat percentage calculation =o) )
iii. richer or poorer? Probably the same. I think we made more money this year, and we were better about spending less of it on little things, but we had more large expenses than usual this year.
21. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Working on getting closer to God and some of my friends.
22. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Wasting time on the computer.
23. How will you be spending New Year's Eve/Day?
I spent NYE at a ritzy modeling gig where I was dressed as Scarlett O'Hara, and then at Angela's playing games and watching the boys set off fireworks. I spent this morning (NYD) sleeping in, then at the thrift store by my house for half-price day. Now I'm at work, and tonight we're playing cards and having dinner at the house of some friends from church.
24. What was an unexpected surprise?
I say it every year: all surprises are unexpected. Hehe. To answer the question, though: How not-scary the home study visit was. How a few people thought the reason we're adopting is that I don't want to get pregnant. How tasty gelato is. How much I enjoyed France.
25. Did you fall in love in 2009?
I continued in love.
26. What was the best concert you've been to this year?
Hanson! I think any year I see them they will be the best concert. They put on an amazing concert anyway, but because their music has been a part of my life since I was 14, their shows always have extra awesomeness to me.
27. What were your favorite TV programs?
Supernatural (I think this has been the funniest season yet), Lost, Medium, Dollhouse, Psych, Buffy & Angel (since I finally finished watching through both series this year), Castle, Big Bang Theory, Eureka, Leverage
28. Do you dislike anyone now that you didn't dislike this time last year?
I dislike Obama more now than I did at this time last year. Heh.
29. What was the best book you read?
Adopted for Life by Russell D. Moore. I also loved The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith.
30. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I'm not sure I had any musical discoveries this year. Hmm.
31. What did you want and get?
To have an LJ Girls' Weekend with several friends in attendance (we had 8), to go to Europe, to go to El Salvador, to start the adoption process, to go to the Hanson concert with Brenda and Kim, to meet Nellie, an espresso maker, and enough kids to continue our Olympian club.
32. What did you want and not get?
The Lions to have a winning season, a year with no expensive house issues, journalism to regain its objectivity, Obama to stop being such a liberal, comfy flats in size 10.5 readily available, a zillion more modeling jobs, and to buy whatever I wanted in Europe. Mandy to still be alive. =o(
33. What was your favorite film of this year?
Up. Julie & Julia was a close second though.
34. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I went to the Vatican and got in trouble for taking a picture of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and went up in the cupola of St. Peter's Basilica and ate gelato twice and the Pope threw me a parade and saw the Colosseum at night and watched a free concert across from there for the second biggest soccer gathering in the world! Yeah, I'm never going to top that one. Hehe. I turned 26.
35. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Finishing up the home study sooner, someone giving us all the money we need for the adoption, no house problems.
36. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Dress my age - not too old, not too young. Stylish but comfy.
37. What kept you sane?
As always - God's grace & forgiveness, and Isaac being the most amazing husband ever. It also helps having amazing family to have random deep and silly conversations with.
38. What political issue stirred you the most?
The government's complete disregard for the Constitution has led to multiple political issues that have stirred me (bailouts, stimulus bills, government takeovers of private companies, government health care, etc.). Don't even get me started.
39. Who did you miss?
Everyone I love who's not here.
Got paid to model (including a spread in a magazine!), went to Europe, took a backpacking trip, rode on a real train, had to put a dog to sleep, started the process of adopting a child, went a year without seeing one of my brothers... =o(
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Not really, and no. I know C25K is some people's resolution, but we started that on November 30th!
3. Did anyone close to you have kids?
My friends Forrest & Shannon adopted twins. =o)
4. Did anyone close to you get married?
Not that I can think of at the moment.
5. Did anyone close to you die?
Mandy. =o(
6. Did you travel?
To North Carolina, Tennessee, England, France, Italy, Greece, El Salvador, Georgia, and Connecticut.
7. Did you move anywhere?
Nope! Which is a very good thing since I love it here.
8. What was the best month?
No contest - May! In May we went to four European countries, including Italy, which had been at the top of my Travel Wish List for years. Plus, my birthday is in May. =o)
9. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
A closer relationship with God, and a kid or kids! =oD And no house problems for once. That would be nice.
10. What date(s) from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
January 15 - My first paid modeling gig! May 12-June 3 - our Europe trip! July 2 - when we applied to our adoption agency! September 24 - When we said goodbye to Mandy.
11. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Finishing our adoption home study. Surviving year-end financial stuff at the church while switching systems and ways of doing things.
12. What was your biggest failure?
I have not built up relationships like I want to.
13. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Just minor things - colds, stomach issues, etc.
14. What was the best thing you bought?
The Europe trip, no doubt, especially since we managed to do it on a very small budget. It was the trip of a lifetime.
15. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Isaac's, as always, for being such a wonderful husband. Several other friends' for various reasons.
16. Whose behavior made you appalled and/or depressed?
Tiger Woods. I always really liked him - enough that I *almost* liked golf a tiny bit - and then he had to be so freaking stupid. Also, the entire liberal-run government, for not listening to the majority of their constituents, and for not caring one lick about what the Constitution says.
17. Where did most of your money go?
The mortgage, as usual. After that, the Europe trip and the adoption.
18. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Modeling (especially when the magazine came out =o) ), LJ Girls' Weekend in TN, Europe trip, El Salvador, beginning the adoption process, the Hanson concert with Kim and Brenda (and the rest of Brenda's visit), Halloween trip to Chattanooga with Lydia, Esther and Charity, going to Connecticut, and my espresso maker.
19. What song will always remind you of 2009?
"Mighty to Save". Also, "Jesus Saves" by Travis Cottrell.
20. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier - but that's always my answer. I love my life.
ii. thinner or fatter? The same, but with a bit more muscle (according to my latest body fat percentage calculation =o) )
iii. richer or poorer? Probably the same. I think we made more money this year, and we were better about spending less of it on little things, but we had more large expenses than usual this year.
21. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Working on getting closer to God and some of my friends.
22. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Wasting time on the computer.
23. How will you be spending New Year's Eve/Day?
I spent NYE at a ritzy modeling gig where I was dressed as Scarlett O'Hara, and then at Angela's playing games and watching the boys set off fireworks. I spent this morning (NYD) sleeping in, then at the thrift store by my house for half-price day. Now I'm at work, and tonight we're playing cards and having dinner at the house of some friends from church.
24. What was an unexpected surprise?
I say it every year: all surprises are unexpected. Hehe. To answer the question, though: How not-scary the home study visit was. How a few people thought the reason we're adopting is that I don't want to get pregnant. How tasty gelato is. How much I enjoyed France.
25. Did you fall in love in 2009?
I continued in love.
26. What was the best concert you've been to this year?
Hanson! I think any year I see them they will be the best concert. They put on an amazing concert anyway, but because their music has been a part of my life since I was 14, their shows always have extra awesomeness to me.
27. What were your favorite TV programs?
Supernatural (I think this has been the funniest season yet), Lost, Medium, Dollhouse, Psych, Buffy & Angel (since I finally finished watching through both series this year), Castle, Big Bang Theory, Eureka, Leverage
28. Do you dislike anyone now that you didn't dislike this time last year?
I dislike Obama more now than I did at this time last year. Heh.
29. What was the best book you read?
Adopted for Life by Russell D. Moore. I also loved The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith.
30. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I'm not sure I had any musical discoveries this year. Hmm.
31. What did you want and get?
To have an LJ Girls' Weekend with several friends in attendance (we had 8), to go to Europe, to go to El Salvador, to start the adoption process, to go to the Hanson concert with Brenda and Kim, to meet Nellie, an espresso maker, and enough kids to continue our Olympian club.
32. What did you want and not get?
The Lions to have a winning season, a year with no expensive house issues, journalism to regain its objectivity, Obama to stop being such a liberal, comfy flats in size 10.5 readily available, a zillion more modeling jobs, and to buy whatever I wanted in Europe. Mandy to still be alive. =o(
33. What was your favorite film of this year?
Up. Julie & Julia was a close second though.
34. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I went to the Vatican and got in trouble for taking a picture of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and went up in the cupola of St. Peter's Basilica and ate gelato twice and the Pope threw me a parade and saw the Colosseum at night and watched a free concert across from there for the second biggest soccer gathering in the world! Yeah, I'm never going to top that one. Hehe. I turned 26.
35. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Finishing up the home study sooner, someone giving us all the money we need for the adoption, no house problems.
36. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Dress my age - not too old, not too young. Stylish but comfy.
37. What kept you sane?
As always - God's grace & forgiveness, and Isaac being the most amazing husband ever. It also helps having amazing family to have random deep and silly conversations with.
38. What political issue stirred you the most?
The government's complete disregard for the Constitution has led to multiple political issues that have stirred me (bailouts, stimulus bills, government takeovers of private companies, government health care, etc.). Don't even get me started.
39. Who did you miss?
Everyone I love who's not here.