2019 end-of-year retrospective
1. What did you do in 2019 that you'd never done before?
Got into both PA school and nursing school, hiked three long-distance trails in four weeks, dissected a human cadaver, wrote a multi-chapter fanfic.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more this year?
My resolutions for 2019 were to have a Wheel and a Crow in my yoga practice by the end of the year, and be a better fanfic-reader. While I'm closer to having a Wheel and a Crow than I was this time last year, I'm still not there yet. But I did keep my resolution to be a better fanfic-reader. My resolutions for 2020 are to continue to maintain my weight and to finish the didactic phase of PA school.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Nope.
5. What countries (states) did you visit this year?
North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Hawaii, England, and Scotland.
6. What would you like to have in 2020 that you lacked in 2019?
A financial budget I can stick to.
7. What dates from 2019 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
February 17 - The day I got accepted into PA school.
June 20 - The day I moved to Virginia.
July 8 - The day I started PA school.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Completing Hadrian's Wall, the Rob Roy Way, and the Great Glen Way, as well as walking the Speyside Way.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Failing to climb Ben Lomond for a second time.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I've developed TMJ pain on both sides, mostly from school stress.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
A new stethoscope.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My roommate in Virginia, who is an angel and I do not deserve her.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The Orange Overlord.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Tuition.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My trip to England and Scotland.
16. What songs/albums will always remind you of 2019?
Fleetwood Mac - "The Chain"
Dave Matthews - "Still Water" and "Out of My Hands"
Neneh Cherry - "Buffalo Stance"
17. Compared to last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder?
Happier.
ii. thinner or fatter?
Thinner.
iii. richer or poorer?
Poorer.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Asserting myself when I know I'm right.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Agonizing about stuff that doesn't matter.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Spent it in Hawaii with my parents and brother.
21. Did you fall in love in 2019?
No.
22. There is no 22.
23. What was your favorite TV program?
I watched a lot of Chopped this year. I also really enjoyed Good Omens and Derry Girls.
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No.
25. What was the best book you read?
I'm currently reading Lionheart by Sharon Kay Penman and enjoying it. I haven't had a whole lot of time to read for pleasure this year, especially since school started.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Lizzo.
27. What did you want and get?
A spot in a PA program.
28. What did you want and not get?
A spot in a PA program with more than ten boys in it.
29. What was your favorite film of the year?
Probably Rocketman. The Rise of Skywalker disappointed me bitterly.
30. What did you do for your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 31 this year. I had a pretty low-key day and went out to dinner with my parents and brother that night.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Cheetolini getting booted out of office.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2019?
Attempting to be a professional-looking Adult.
33. What kept you sane?
Again, the knowledge that this is all only temporary.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
My celebrity crush on Adam Driver continues. Although I've also been having some unsettling dreams about Diego Luna lately...
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Too many to name.
36. Who did you miss?
A couple friends in Scotland who I didn't get to see on my trip this year.
37. Who was the best new person you met?
Many of my classmates. They are baller.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2019:
It's okay to strive for a C sometimes.
39: Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"Listen to the wind blow, watch the sun rise" - Fleetwood Mac, "The Chain"