Looking Back
I am totally stealing this from Mel. So shoot me.
What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
I finished two novels. Not one, but two. To be fair they're still works in progress and most of the first was written in 2007, but hey, that's not bad at all! I also went to NYC twice. Had Indian food. ;)
Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't make resolutions. Can't follow them. The only thing I make is deadlines. I can't seem to follow them either.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
YES! My sis in law gave birth to a big baby boy named Lucas, so I'm now an auntie!
Did anyone close to you die?
Not a person, but my dog, Rudy.
What countries did you visit?
Sadly, none.
What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A better perspective. Gumption. Focus.
What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Seeing Stephenie Meyer in NYC, seeing Equus in NYC, the night of the jr. high play, Alice in Wonderland, the birth of my nephew, Angela's wedding and birthday, my anniversary, and December 19th.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
The books. Definitely the books.
What was your biggest failure?
I can't name one event, but I think overall my attitude, which was defeatist at best. I have got to stop letting people take advantage of me.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
Just the usual teacher sicknesses. Nothing to stress about.
What was the best thing you bought?
Trips to NYC, tickets to Equus, the Kings of Leon and Sigur Ros cds...
Whose behavior merited celebration?
Mel, who is more than just a bad influence, she's an attitude. Becky, because she's incredibly strong and resilient. Kate and Ann, who 'get' me and what I'm trying to say, even when I don't say it properly, Angie and Dan, for being about the most awesome party throwers ever.
Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I'll leave their names off, but it never fails to floor me how selfish and stupid people can act, or how close-minded.
Where did most of your money go?
Trips, books, and music. In that order.
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My books again. I'm in a perpetual state of excitement over them. Breaking Dawn and the Twilight movie. Equus. OH MY GOD EQUUS.
What song will always remind you of 2008?
Use Somebody, Kings of Leon. And if I'm going to be honest, Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis.
Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier with myself. More frustrated with the world.
b) thinner or fatter? Same. Dammit.
c) richer or poorer? About the same, too.
What do you wish you'd done more of? Performing. Reading. Sending query letters to agents. Spending more time with my family.
What do you wish you'd done less of?
Worrying
How did you spend Christmas?
Sang at church on Christmas eve and then spent the evening with Andy, enjoying our cozy house. The day of we opened presents, went over to his mom's for breakfast and opening presents, went to my parents for presents and lunch, then back to his mom's for dinner. At some point we played carols horribly with different pitched whistles.
Did you fall in love in 2008?
I think to be in love you have to continually fall, so yes.
How many one-night stands?
um...
What was your favorite TV program?
I can't think of a single TV show that I feel like I can't miss. I did enjoy Idol this year with the Davids, though.
Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I hate saying this because it sounds so self-righteous but I honestly try not to hate anyone. There have been flashes of extreme anger, but I find letting go is so much better for the soul.
What was the best book you read?
I really liked Atonement, The Name of the Wind, and On Writing by Stephen King. I haven't finished it yet (pathetically), but Melissa Anelli's Harry, A History rocks.
What was your greatest musical discovery?
Kings of Leon, Arcade Fire, Bloc Party, The Gaslight Anthem, Broken Social Scene, Blue October, Missy Higgins.
What did you want and get?
Books. Almost everything. I'm spoiled.
What did you want and not get?
A book deal. A starring role in a new musical by Andrew Lloyd Weber opposite Josh Groban...?
What was your favorite film of this year?
Half-Blood Prince. Oh...wait...
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 28 this year, and I forced my hubby and parents to take me to Jerry's Pizza and watch The Tale of Despereaux with me. It was awesome.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Letting my accomplishments set in.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
My concept consists of trying not to dress like my students, while trying not to dress like a teacher.
What kept you sane?
Andy. Mel. Becky. Writing. De-stressing with silly things like My Little Ponies and asinine LJ entries.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Daniel Radcliffe. *fans self*
What political issue stirred you the most?
The election, of course, and Prop 8. (In case you missed how stirring it was for me, see just about every other post here at my LJ)
Who did you miss?
I really missed the old group this year. Ingrid and Laura, Emily from college, I wish I could have seen Kate at least once.
Who was the best new person you met?
"Met": Erin and Ann. Really met: Richard Griffiths. Awesome guy.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
Trust yourself. Don't let anyone mess with that trust.
Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
I can't choose one, so you all get a few:
I've danced 'tween sunlit strands of lover's hair;
Helped form the final words before your death.
I've pitied you and plied your sails with air;
Gave blessing when you rose upon my breath.
--Silver Wings by Thrice
You tear out heart-roots that you stamp on
With your hands in your pockets, been through enough
Walking in wet grass until
It shines on me through the branches
I look up and revive - the leaves change their colors
We find our goals, put down roots
Undress our hearts
We go out into a good day
We plant and we give life and we blossom
With our hands out of the pockets in earth you delve
Now we remove ugly thoughts
Time heals all, gives life, kindles fires
Burns souls
No longer cold, alive again
My soul comes to life, paints the world
--Illgresi, by Sigur Ros
What did you feel in 2008 you have never felt before?
Crazy jealousy, utter hopelessness. But, to end on an uplifting note, right now I feel insane amounts of hope.
What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
I finished two novels. Not one, but two. To be fair they're still works in progress and most of the first was written in 2007, but hey, that's not bad at all! I also went to NYC twice. Had Indian food. ;)
Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't make resolutions. Can't follow them. The only thing I make is deadlines. I can't seem to follow them either.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
YES! My sis in law gave birth to a big baby boy named Lucas, so I'm now an auntie!
Did anyone close to you die?
Not a person, but my dog, Rudy.
What countries did you visit?
Sadly, none.
What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A better perspective. Gumption. Focus.
What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Seeing Stephenie Meyer in NYC, seeing Equus in NYC, the night of the jr. high play, Alice in Wonderland, the birth of my nephew, Angela's wedding and birthday, my anniversary, and December 19th.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
The books. Definitely the books.
What was your biggest failure?
I can't name one event, but I think overall my attitude, which was defeatist at best. I have got to stop letting people take advantage of me.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
Just the usual teacher sicknesses. Nothing to stress about.
What was the best thing you bought?
Trips to NYC, tickets to Equus, the Kings of Leon and Sigur Ros cds...
Whose behavior merited celebration?
Mel, who is more than just a bad influence, she's an attitude. Becky, because she's incredibly strong and resilient. Kate and Ann, who 'get' me and what I'm trying to say, even when I don't say it properly, Angie and Dan, for being about the most awesome party throwers ever.
Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I'll leave their names off, but it never fails to floor me how selfish and stupid people can act, or how close-minded.
Where did most of your money go?
Trips, books, and music. In that order.
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My books again. I'm in a perpetual state of excitement over them. Breaking Dawn and the Twilight movie. Equus. OH MY GOD EQUUS.
What song will always remind you of 2008?
Use Somebody, Kings of Leon. And if I'm going to be honest, Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis.
Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier with myself. More frustrated with the world.
b) thinner or fatter? Same. Dammit.
c) richer or poorer? About the same, too.
What do you wish you'd done more of? Performing. Reading. Sending query letters to agents. Spending more time with my family.
What do you wish you'd done less of?
Worrying
How did you spend Christmas?
Sang at church on Christmas eve and then spent the evening with Andy, enjoying our cozy house. The day of we opened presents, went over to his mom's for breakfast and opening presents, went to my parents for presents and lunch, then back to his mom's for dinner. At some point we played carols horribly with different pitched whistles.
Did you fall in love in 2008?
I think to be in love you have to continually fall, so yes.
How many one-night stands?
um...
What was your favorite TV program?
I can't think of a single TV show that I feel like I can't miss. I did enjoy Idol this year with the Davids, though.
Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I hate saying this because it sounds so self-righteous but I honestly try not to hate anyone. There have been flashes of extreme anger, but I find letting go is so much better for the soul.
What was the best book you read?
I really liked Atonement, The Name of the Wind, and On Writing by Stephen King. I haven't finished it yet (pathetically), but Melissa Anelli's Harry, A History rocks.
What was your greatest musical discovery?
Kings of Leon, Arcade Fire, Bloc Party, The Gaslight Anthem, Broken Social Scene, Blue October, Missy Higgins.
What did you want and get?
Books. Almost everything. I'm spoiled.
What did you want and not get?
A book deal. A starring role in a new musical by Andrew Lloyd Weber opposite Josh Groban...?
What was your favorite film of this year?
Half-Blood Prince. Oh...wait...
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 28 this year, and I forced my hubby and parents to take me to Jerry's Pizza and watch The Tale of Despereaux with me. It was awesome.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Letting my accomplishments set in.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
My concept consists of trying not to dress like my students, while trying not to dress like a teacher.
What kept you sane?
Andy. Mel. Becky. Writing. De-stressing with silly things like My Little Ponies and asinine LJ entries.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Daniel Radcliffe. *fans self*
What political issue stirred you the most?
The election, of course, and Prop 8. (In case you missed how stirring it was for me, see just about every other post here at my LJ)
Who did you miss?
I really missed the old group this year. Ingrid and Laura, Emily from college, I wish I could have seen Kate at least once.
Who was the best new person you met?
"Met": Erin and Ann. Really met: Richard Griffiths. Awesome guy.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
Trust yourself. Don't let anyone mess with that trust.
Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
I can't choose one, so you all get a few:
I've danced 'tween sunlit strands of lover's hair;
Helped form the final words before your death.
I've pitied you and plied your sails with air;
Gave blessing when you rose upon my breath.
--Silver Wings by Thrice
You tear out heart-roots that you stamp on
With your hands in your pockets, been through enough
Walking in wet grass until
It shines on me through the branches
I look up and revive - the leaves change their colors
We find our goals, put down roots
Undress our hearts
We go out into a good day
We plant and we give life and we blossom
With our hands out of the pockets in earth you delve
Now we remove ugly thoughts
Time heals all, gives life, kindles fires
Burns souls
No longer cold, alive again
My soul comes to life, paints the world
--Illgresi, by Sigur Ros
What did you feel in 2008 you have never felt before?
Crazy jealousy, utter hopelessness. But, to end on an uplifting note, right now I feel insane amounts of hope.