2007 In Review Meme
Per my annual tradition, I have below my responses to the same questions I answer every year. My old responses are housed online also: 2006, 2005, 2004, and 2003.
1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?
Cross-country road trip, twice. Drove a moving van. Worked at a summer camp. Went sailing on a small little yacht.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I definitely did not exercise thrice a week at the gym… not even near to it. As for eating healthy…well, that’s always been occasional. I am nowhere near having learned a musical instrument; I have yet to obtain the instrument in question. I have begun my pursuit of Spanish, though I wish I’d made more progress. My writing has been… well, sporadic would be being kind, but I have certainly not attempted publication. I suppose that means that this year, the only resolution I have kept has been to find a good job in a school that I can stick out for the year.
Maybe I need to return to my old habit of internally-based resolutions.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes. My brother and his girlfriend are now the parents of a gorgeous baby girl named Gracelyn. I was at the hospital when she was born; I suppose that’s another first for me (being that close to the action).
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Although a few people I knew died, no one to whom I was close has done so.
5. What countries did you visit?
It’s been too damned long since I had something interesting here. I had one foot in Canada last June as I drove cross country and stopped at Niagra Falls… but that’s the extent of my foreign experiences for 2007.
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Last year I said "happy stability” - which I accomplished for the first 6 months, if not the whole year. Now I will say: time to breathe.
7. What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory?
No one date will be indelible, but there have been several days that will linger: Mardi Gras in St. Louis, my farewell party in the Lou, one particular evening at camp under the stars, a short stretch of time around Veteran’s day when I had a visitor, Gracie’s birth…
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
My biggest achievement was landing back on my feet professionally after a tumultuous 2006 - finding three solid jobs that advanced my career and still had a great deal of meaning in them for me.
9. What was your biggest failure?
My biggest failure… if one believes in failure, heh. Perhaps: not being able to help out someone close to me who was greatly suffering because my mind found it too difficult to sufficiently empathize.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
You know what? I escaped much of this year unscathed. Certainly, I had a fair bout with a light cold/flu last winter, but I’ve been pretty lucky.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Precious little in this year, which has had a theme of conserving funds. Honestly, I have no particular answer.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Megan’s and Jess’ - both recovered from pretty insane personal situations to be much happier than they were on the other side.
13. Whose behavior made you feel disappointed?
No naming of names - but there are a few.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Moving. Rent. Car. Loans. Rinse and repeat.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about in 2007?
I got excited about leaving my job in the Lou, if not about leaving the city, and I was very psyched to begin my new job here in Maine. A visitor around Veteran’s Day was highly anticipated. And I can’t forget February: that moment when The Shins played “So Says I” as their final encore. Don’t make fun.
16. What song will always remind you of 2006?
Oh boy. Probably “Twentysomething” by Jamie Cullum. The entirety of its lyrics suited me perfectly. A close second is “On the Radio” by Regina Spektor.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier - that’s a great thing. It does, however, come at the expense of some of the equanimity that sustained me in ’06.
ii. thinner or fatter? Pretty similar.
iii. richer or poorer? Richer… I have a steady job and some extra cash due to some timely tutoring jobs. Not that I’m rich, mind you - but I’m able to be financially independent and happy.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Writing, actually. I miss writing quite desperately: grading papers, work fatigue, editing a novel thrice over, being a social butterfly, tutoring, and the like have kept me from writing or reading to the extent I usually do. I hope to change that in ’08.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
I wish I’d fretted a bit less - about money, about my summer romance, about last spring’s pursuit of jobs for this summer and fall.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
I have yet to spend a Christmas that is not in Portland with a mix of both my paternal and maternal relatives. It was a good one. Another highlight was beer-brewing on Christmas night with some friends.
22. Did you fall in love in 2007?
I broke a few hearts and dealt with a complicated breakup… currently, I’m all ambiguity, so do you expect me to quantify -anything-?
23. How many one-night stands?
Depends on how you define it, but I suppose you could say I’ve had one.
24. What was your favorite TV program to watch in 2007?
Both Heroes and Lost kept my attention. I’d say that Lost is a better show, probably.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I severely dislike a few people that I didn’t know last year, but nothing near hate.
26. What was the best book you read?
I did enjoy George R.R. Martin’s entire series; it’s better than much of the overrated stuff I read upon ill-fated recommendations.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I really got into Regina Spektor for the first time. A few other new-to-me favorites are Mika, Casey Dienel, and Beirut. I loved “L’Eclipse” by Sean Lennon and M, en francais.
28. What did you want and get?
A relaxing summer, a great job for 07-08 in a classroom, and a cute little apartment.
29. What did you want and not get?
A 25-hour day.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
If last year disappointed me musically, this year disappointed me cinematically. I liked some films, but nothing sticks out as a favorite.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 24. My then-boyfriend convinced my entire camp of children to sing Happy Birthday to me, and two of my students read me a dedicated poem. That night, I hung out in Providence with Kay and Chad… quiet but cool.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
It would have made my year much easier if I hadn’t moved so often. As far as satisfaction, however, I’ve been pretty lucky.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
Blah, mostly professional clothes. Outside of that, I’m pretty much rewearing the same stuff I had last year. Clothes are not a priority.
34. What kept you sane?
Cross-country socialization, a varied existence with plenty to anticipate, and a hoarde of truly fantastic children in every job I’ve had.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
“I’ve Got a Crush On Obama,” says I. Not really. But almost.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
What one didn’t? I’ve been pretty political this year, and I blame NPR.
37. Who did you miss?
I missed all my friends scattered around the country (and world). I missed my family when I was in St. Louis. I know it’s a sign that I love a lot of people, but it’s pretty awful when no more than 1/4 of them are in any given place. I’m always missing 3/4 of the people I love.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
In St. Louis it was Betsy, in Massachusetts it was Chris, and in Maine it would be my host of chilluns.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007:
I should not worry so much, because it’s always in my power to bring myself to a point of happiness.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
“This is how it works:
You’re young until you’re not
You love until you don’t
You try until you can’t
You laugh until you cry
You cry until you laugh,
And everyone must breathe
Until their dying breath.”
(Regina Spektor)
1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?
Cross-country road trip, twice. Drove a moving van. Worked at a summer camp. Went sailing on a small little yacht.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I definitely did not exercise thrice a week at the gym… not even near to it. As for eating healthy…well, that’s always been occasional. I am nowhere near having learned a musical instrument; I have yet to obtain the instrument in question. I have begun my pursuit of Spanish, though I wish I’d made more progress. My writing has been… well, sporadic would be being kind, but I have certainly not attempted publication. I suppose that means that this year, the only resolution I have kept has been to find a good job in a school that I can stick out for the year.
Maybe I need to return to my old habit of internally-based resolutions.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes. My brother and his girlfriend are now the parents of a gorgeous baby girl named Gracelyn. I was at the hospital when she was born; I suppose that’s another first for me (being that close to the action).
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Although a few people I knew died, no one to whom I was close has done so.
5. What countries did you visit?
It’s been too damned long since I had something interesting here. I had one foot in Canada last June as I drove cross country and stopped at Niagra Falls… but that’s the extent of my foreign experiences for 2007.
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Last year I said "happy stability” - which I accomplished for the first 6 months, if not the whole year. Now I will say: time to breathe.
7. What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory?
No one date will be indelible, but there have been several days that will linger: Mardi Gras in St. Louis, my farewell party in the Lou, one particular evening at camp under the stars, a short stretch of time around Veteran’s day when I had a visitor, Gracie’s birth…
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
My biggest achievement was landing back on my feet professionally after a tumultuous 2006 - finding three solid jobs that advanced my career and still had a great deal of meaning in them for me.
9. What was your biggest failure?
My biggest failure… if one believes in failure, heh. Perhaps: not being able to help out someone close to me who was greatly suffering because my mind found it too difficult to sufficiently empathize.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
You know what? I escaped much of this year unscathed. Certainly, I had a fair bout with a light cold/flu last winter, but I’ve been pretty lucky.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Precious little in this year, which has had a theme of conserving funds. Honestly, I have no particular answer.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Megan’s and Jess’ - both recovered from pretty insane personal situations to be much happier than they were on the other side.
13. Whose behavior made you feel disappointed?
No naming of names - but there are a few.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Moving. Rent. Car. Loans. Rinse and repeat.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about in 2007?
I got excited about leaving my job in the Lou, if not about leaving the city, and I was very psyched to begin my new job here in Maine. A visitor around Veteran’s Day was highly anticipated. And I can’t forget February: that moment when The Shins played “So Says I” as their final encore. Don’t make fun.
16. What song will always remind you of 2006?
Oh boy. Probably “Twentysomething” by Jamie Cullum. The entirety of its lyrics suited me perfectly. A close second is “On the Radio” by Regina Spektor.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier - that’s a great thing. It does, however, come at the expense of some of the equanimity that sustained me in ’06.
ii. thinner or fatter? Pretty similar.
iii. richer or poorer? Richer… I have a steady job and some extra cash due to some timely tutoring jobs. Not that I’m rich, mind you - but I’m able to be financially independent and happy.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Writing, actually. I miss writing quite desperately: grading papers, work fatigue, editing a novel thrice over, being a social butterfly, tutoring, and the like have kept me from writing or reading to the extent I usually do. I hope to change that in ’08.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
I wish I’d fretted a bit less - about money, about my summer romance, about last spring’s pursuit of jobs for this summer and fall.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
I have yet to spend a Christmas that is not in Portland with a mix of both my paternal and maternal relatives. It was a good one. Another highlight was beer-brewing on Christmas night with some friends.
22. Did you fall in love in 2007?
I broke a few hearts and dealt with a complicated breakup… currently, I’m all ambiguity, so do you expect me to quantify -anything-?
23. How many one-night stands?
Depends on how you define it, but I suppose you could say I’ve had one.
24. What was your favorite TV program to watch in 2007?
Both Heroes and Lost kept my attention. I’d say that Lost is a better show, probably.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I severely dislike a few people that I didn’t know last year, but nothing near hate.
26. What was the best book you read?
I did enjoy George R.R. Martin’s entire series; it’s better than much of the overrated stuff I read upon ill-fated recommendations.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I really got into Regina Spektor for the first time. A few other new-to-me favorites are Mika, Casey Dienel, and Beirut. I loved “L’Eclipse” by Sean Lennon and M, en francais.
28. What did you want and get?
A relaxing summer, a great job for 07-08 in a classroom, and a cute little apartment.
29. What did you want and not get?
A 25-hour day.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
If last year disappointed me musically, this year disappointed me cinematically. I liked some films, but nothing sticks out as a favorite.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 24. My then-boyfriend convinced my entire camp of children to sing Happy Birthday to me, and two of my students read me a dedicated poem. That night, I hung out in Providence with Kay and Chad… quiet but cool.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
It would have made my year much easier if I hadn’t moved so often. As far as satisfaction, however, I’ve been pretty lucky.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
Blah, mostly professional clothes. Outside of that, I’m pretty much rewearing the same stuff I had last year. Clothes are not a priority.
34. What kept you sane?
Cross-country socialization, a varied existence with plenty to anticipate, and a hoarde of truly fantastic children in every job I’ve had.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
“I’ve Got a Crush On Obama,” says I. Not really. But almost.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
What one didn’t? I’ve been pretty political this year, and I blame NPR.
37. Who did you miss?
I missed all my friends scattered around the country (and world). I missed my family when I was in St. Louis. I know it’s a sign that I love a lot of people, but it’s pretty awful when no more than 1/4 of them are in any given place. I’m always missing 3/4 of the people I love.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
In St. Louis it was Betsy, in Massachusetts it was Chris, and in Maine it would be my host of chilluns.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007:
I should not worry so much, because it’s always in my power to bring myself to a point of happiness.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
“This is how it works:
You’re young until you’re not
You love until you don’t
You try until you can’t
You laugh until you cry
You cry until you laugh,
And everyone must breathe
Until their dying breath.”
(Regina Spektor)