For Rachel.
1. What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before?
We finished a majority of our house restoration--I should post photos--and I stayed cancer-free for the first time in a couple years.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Not even close. I'll try the ol' eat less and excercise more once again in '07 too, I'm sure.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope, my niece Kate was born in December 2005, and Goli's baby is due in April 2007.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Susan died of breast cancer. Nobody in my family, though.
5. What countries did you visit?
I barely left Los Angeles. I didn't even leave the state.
6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
More money. A vacation (we didn't plan one this year because I didn't know if I would continue cancer treatment)
7. What date from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
None in particular, though there has been boucoup family drama/work drama in the last month or so. Thank God Andy and I never have drama. Our house is our sanctuary from the outside world; I swear.
Oh wait, maybe my birthday. Andy came home from work with flowers, and hanging from the flowers was a half of a "Best Friends" heart necklace, the "BE FRI" part. We always say we are "Be Fri"s. I always wanted one of those necklaces... He was wearing the other half. I was touched.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting the front of the house finished, as far as wood stripped, refinished, etc. Getting the majority of the inside painted. Continuing to maintain my integrity as a teacher, despite the fact that I'm having to adjust to a new administrator who is worlds different than our previous beloved, and now retired principal.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not losing all the weight. Being a member of Curves, and only attending once, and the humiliation of having paid them all that money which could've easily paid for a weekend in Vegas, and a decent one at that. Being too OCD and being embarrassed about it instead of just dealing with it.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Found out that my tear ducts are completely obstructed due to previous chemo, and that's why I constantly tear. Won't have the corrective surgery, though; at least not right now. It's way too intense.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Services. Definitely services. Painters, plumbers, etc.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Andy is easily the best caretaker and all-around good husband. Um, is it okay if I say me? I've been doing way much for his family in the face of his father's illness, and I'm giving myself a pat on the back right here and now. I've become much more charitable in the past year, and I'm not boasting, but I am proud of myself as far as feeling like a better, more self-aware/self-actualized person. I always thought, in the past, of charity as money and donations, etc. Lately, I have been doing things for people who can't, taking people shopping, out to eat, etc, recognizing what people need around me, and just taking action. Not a pat on the back for my actions, but celebrating being more aware and active.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Some of my students, and some higher-ups.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Getting our next-door unit of our duplex ready to rent, and working on our place.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Getting the house done.
16. What song will always remind you of 2006?
"Hello, It's Me"--Old song, always there.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder?: Last year was bittersweet. At this time last year, my brother's baby had just been born, one of my friends had lost her baby, we had adopted a cat, and one of the backyard kittens had died. I was healthy, however, and so was all of our family. Also, all of my family was together. This year, my father-in-law is in cancer treatment, and very tired, my family is scattered, my brother just left for England for six months, and my folks hardly ever get to see their one-year-old only granddaughter (by my brother that is still here). Andy and I are happy, but family issues are looming large this year.
ii. thinner or fatter? Same, same.
iii. richer or poorer? Same, same.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Definitely wish I had read more and excercised.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Agreed--Procrastinating. Wasting money.
20. How will you be spending/did you spend Christmas?
At home. My in laws and sister in law and her three sons, and brother in law and his wife are all coming to my house. My friend Goli's husband will be in Philly, so she is going to come over, too. We got a tree because people were coming over, and it's pretty interesting, as it's the first tree we have had since the cats. Several glass ornaments have bitten the dust, and our plastic Charlie Brown Chrismas figures ornaments? "Sonny, Leave Lucy alone!!! What have you done to Linus????" He was face down, his blankie torn from his arms.....
22. Did you fall in love in 2006?
Andy and Kim = TLA
24. What was your favorite TV program?
The Office and Project Runway.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No, but I am confused and saddened by people's behavior toward others.
26. What is the best book you read?
I didn't read much, but probably Youth in Revolt.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Love, The Beatles Cirque du Soleil sountrack.
28. What did you want and get?
My kittie shoes, and our girl kitty, Joni. Oh, and all the house stuff, of course. Health.
29. What did you want and not get?
Same, same--Total financial security and a baby.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Can't remember any movies besides Borat, which was disappointing to me.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Worked, and see number 7. That weekend, a bunch of our friends took us to dinner for my birthday, and I got way trashed, and made an ass of myself outside of the restaurant.
32.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
The hope of a baby, or at least truly coming to terms with the fact that it just ain't gonna happen for us, at least not the time-honored way. Working out things with Rhonda--I wish I could've confronted her and asked her why she abandoned our 13 year friendship. I don't buy the concept of "she was afraid of your illness" as proposed by some.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
Clean Santino minus the animal shirts.
34. What kept you sane?
Andy for the most part.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Bono, maybe, but he's so damn overexposed. And no, I'm not even a U2 fan, for the most part.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Legalization of immigration is one of the hottest issues here. No Child Left Behind, a GW concept, is leaving all kinds of children behind, and leaving teachers angry and hopeless. Excellent teachers are leaving the profession right and left.
37. Who did you miss?
Rhonda.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Ms. Ackley. She really gave me a boost about my teaching; and to think, I was sure she didn't even like me. Goes to show, you can't always judge a book by its cover.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006:
Giving is a mitzvah, but take care of yourself. Learned it yesterday.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"Not everyone can carry the weight of the world." Michael Stipe
I even want to get it tattooed on me so I don't forget it...