2016, A Year in Review
Where did you begin 2016?
Mike and I hung out until he had to go to work. We both passed out on a couch in the living Where did you begin 2016?
I was at a party with some really good friends. The memory is bittersweet this year, as those friends have since divorced.
Did you know anybody who got married?
Yes, and I got to be in one of their weddings! Protip - if ever you have the chance to get your makeup done by a person who is a professional makeup artist by day and drag queen by night, don't stop don't think don't hesitate just say yes. You will never look more fabulous.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes!! My sister in law had her 4th baby girl, my lovely niece Jamie, and my wonderful sister had her first tiny human, Thea Elizabeth. I am in auntie heaven over here :)
Did anyone close to you die?
Not a family member or close friend, but two very dear ladies who I interacted with at the shelter on a frequent basis passed away, and losing them was very sad.
Where did you travel to and with who?
My Mburg loves, and I went alone.
Did you move anywhere?
I did! I moved to my lovey little barn house :)
What would you like to have in 2017 that you lacked in 2016?
Confidence, strength, and the resolve to follow through on important decision that need to be made.
What date from 2016 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
October 3, when my niece Thea was born. I was so, so scared that my sister would be like me, and be unable to have children. And then along comes this tiny little miracle baby, and I don't have to worry about that anymore. I can't tell you how relieved that makes me.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Taking care of my mental health in the best and most positive way I ever have.
What was your biggest failure?
Letting Adam come back, after I had asked him to leave. Again. It's like I don't learn...
Did you suffer illness or injury?
My knee has been ROTTEN this year. But I've worked hard to get it back into being a decent joint to possess. Also my depression has been the worst it's been in a while, and again I've worked hard to make sure I am doing everything I can to get myself into a better mental space.
What was the best thing you bought?
My house, hands down.
Whose behavior merited celebration?
My best friend Mike, who continues to support me and be there for me no matter what. Also, my friends in Mburg, who have accepted me despite my flaws and struggles and given endless amounts of love. I've also had the pleasure of meeting a small group of nerdy internet folk, and been able to form friendships with them that have enriched my life greatly. Love my Love Box Monsters :)
Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
My mother's family, who have torn each other apart, and all over money. It's so stupid, and we will never recover as a family unit.
Where did most of your money go?
Taxes and towards buying my house.
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Getting my 3rd tattoo, moving, and getting my student loan debt down under $4k.
What song will always remind you of 2016?
Thunder in the Rain - Kane Brown
What do you wish you'd done more of?
Standing up for myself, and not letting bullshit slide.
What do you wish you’d done less of?
Give in to my fears.
How will you be spending New Years Eve?
I stayed in this year with Gunner, made myself pizza and drank (and am currently still working on) a bottle of Winter Jack. I participated in an online nerd event, and have spent the night watching Forgetting Sarah Marshall and chatting with various friends. It's been a lovely evening.
Did you fall in love in 2016?
Maybe.
What was your favourite TV program?
Archer, Doc Martin, Frasier
Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I have complex feelings about that, same as last year.
What was the best book you read?
This was a bad year for reading. I haven't finished Going Postal yet, depression really disrupted a huge part of my life this year.
What was your greatest musical discovery?
Panic at the Disco.
What did you want and get?
I wanted a place of my own to live, and I made it happen. I wanted just a half assed gesture of love, and didn't get it. I wanted to recommit to my journey towards wellness, and I did.
What was your favorite film of this year?
Not sure if there's one I went crazy over. I really did enjoy Fantastic Beasts though.
What concerts/shows did you go to?
I get to any this year. Goals for next year!
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 32, and I worked.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Sticking to my guns.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2016?
Leggings and tunic tops are my life. LuLaRoe is seriously all it's cracked up to be :)
Did you change your hairstyle?
A little bit, strayed back towards red. Still trying to grow it out, but not sure I want to.
What kept you sane?
Gunner-fuzz, coffee, and my friends. Same answer, still true <3
What political issue stirred you the most?
This election. Holy shit, how did we end up here??
Who did you miss?
Houghton people, forever and ever and EVER. FOR-EH-VER!!
Who were the best new people you met?
My online nerds. Seriously, they are some awesome people.
Other than home, where did you spend most of your time?
Work, outside, and with Mike and Laila. Not a bad way to spend my time!
Best month?
October, because Thea.
Do anything embarrassing?
Oh yeah, I'm sure I did. Nothing in particular leaping to mind currently, though.
Favorite Night out?
Going bowling with some fine PA folk, and seeing Fantastic Beasts afterwards. Serious awesomeness going on right there.
What has been your favorite moment(s)?
Holding my nieces for the first time, how my Laila girl hugs me and says "Yay, my Cici!!" every time she sees me, and signing my name on the deed to my home.
What's the one thing you thought you would not do but did in 2016?
Let Adam come home. I hate how this cycle works. It's time to break it.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2016.
It's ok to let go.
Overall, how would you rate this year?
It's been such a huge challenge. I've struggled to get through it, and even though I had moments when I really didn't think I could hold it together anymore, I still managed to do it. I am still standing, so this year didn't defeat me. It was a shit year in so many ways, but I proved I can survive whatever is hurled at me. There is a lot to be said for that.
Mike and I hung out until he had to go to work. We both passed out on a couch in the living Where did you begin 2016?
I was at a party with some really good friends. The memory is bittersweet this year, as those friends have since divorced.
Did you know anybody who got married?
Yes, and I got to be in one of their weddings! Protip - if ever you have the chance to get your makeup done by a person who is a professional makeup artist by day and drag queen by night, don't stop don't think don't hesitate just say yes. You will never look more fabulous.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes!! My sister in law had her 4th baby girl, my lovely niece Jamie, and my wonderful sister had her first tiny human, Thea Elizabeth. I am in auntie heaven over here :)
Did anyone close to you die?
Not a family member or close friend, but two very dear ladies who I interacted with at the shelter on a frequent basis passed away, and losing them was very sad.
Where did you travel to and with who?
My Mburg loves, and I went alone.
Did you move anywhere?
I did! I moved to my lovey little barn house :)
What would you like to have in 2017 that you lacked in 2016?
Confidence, strength, and the resolve to follow through on important decision that need to be made.
What date from 2016 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
October 3, when my niece Thea was born. I was so, so scared that my sister would be like me, and be unable to have children. And then along comes this tiny little miracle baby, and I don't have to worry about that anymore. I can't tell you how relieved that makes me.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Taking care of my mental health in the best and most positive way I ever have.
What was your biggest failure?
Letting Adam come back, after I had asked him to leave. Again. It's like I don't learn...
Did you suffer illness or injury?
My knee has been ROTTEN this year. But I've worked hard to get it back into being a decent joint to possess. Also my depression has been the worst it's been in a while, and again I've worked hard to make sure I am doing everything I can to get myself into a better mental space.
What was the best thing you bought?
My house, hands down.
Whose behavior merited celebration?
My best friend Mike, who continues to support me and be there for me no matter what. Also, my friends in Mburg, who have accepted me despite my flaws and struggles and given endless amounts of love. I've also had the pleasure of meeting a small group of nerdy internet folk, and been able to form friendships with them that have enriched my life greatly. Love my Love Box Monsters :)
Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
My mother's family, who have torn each other apart, and all over money. It's so stupid, and we will never recover as a family unit.
Where did most of your money go?
Taxes and towards buying my house.
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Getting my 3rd tattoo, moving, and getting my student loan debt down under $4k.
What song will always remind you of 2016?
Thunder in the Rain - Kane Brown
What do you wish you'd done more of?
Standing up for myself, and not letting bullshit slide.
What do you wish you’d done less of?
Give in to my fears.
How will you be spending New Years Eve?
I stayed in this year with Gunner, made myself pizza and drank (and am currently still working on) a bottle of Winter Jack. I participated in an online nerd event, and have spent the night watching Forgetting Sarah Marshall and chatting with various friends. It's been a lovely evening.
Did you fall in love in 2016?
Maybe.
What was your favourite TV program?
Archer, Doc Martin, Frasier
Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I have complex feelings about that, same as last year.
What was the best book you read?
This was a bad year for reading. I haven't finished Going Postal yet, depression really disrupted a huge part of my life this year.
What was your greatest musical discovery?
Panic at the Disco.
What did you want and get?
I wanted a place of my own to live, and I made it happen. I wanted just a half assed gesture of love, and didn't get it. I wanted to recommit to my journey towards wellness, and I did.
What was your favorite film of this year?
Not sure if there's one I went crazy over. I really did enjoy Fantastic Beasts though.
What concerts/shows did you go to?
I get to any this year. Goals for next year!
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 32, and I worked.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Sticking to my guns.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2016?
Leggings and tunic tops are my life. LuLaRoe is seriously all it's cracked up to be :)
Did you change your hairstyle?
A little bit, strayed back towards red. Still trying to grow it out, but not sure I want to.
What kept you sane?
Gunner-fuzz, coffee, and my friends. Same answer, still true <3
What political issue stirred you the most?
This election. Holy shit, how did we end up here??
Who did you miss?
Houghton people, forever and ever and EVER. FOR-EH-VER!!
Who were the best new people you met?
My online nerds. Seriously, they are some awesome people.
Other than home, where did you spend most of your time?
Work, outside, and with Mike and Laila. Not a bad way to spend my time!
Best month?
October, because Thea.
Do anything embarrassing?
Oh yeah, I'm sure I did. Nothing in particular leaping to mind currently, though.
Favorite Night out?
Going bowling with some fine PA folk, and seeing Fantastic Beasts afterwards. Serious awesomeness going on right there.
What has been your favorite moment(s)?
Holding my nieces for the first time, how my Laila girl hugs me and says "Yay, my Cici!!" every time she sees me, and signing my name on the deed to my home.
What's the one thing you thought you would not do but did in 2016?
Let Adam come home. I hate how this cycle works. It's time to break it.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2016.
It's ok to let go.
Overall, how would you rate this year?
It's been such a huge challenge. I've struggled to get through it, and even though I had moments when I really didn't think I could hold it together anymore, I still managed to do it. I am still standing, so this year didn't defeat me. It was a shit year in so many ways, but I proved I can survive whatever is hurled at me. There is a lot to be said for that.