end of the year survey
I think I filled out the first one of these in Viki's apartment in a post-New Year's eve haze. And that must have been four years ago, which I honestly can not believe. Anyway, I never use this journal anymore, but this end of the year survey feels like a tradition.
1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before? Moved to Portland and a few other moderately interesting things.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don't make resolutions. I did quit smoking in February, and I think I will continue to be a non-smoker.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Yes, my cousin had a daughter.
4. Did anyone close to you die? Yes.
5. What countries did you visit? None.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? My own place to live. So sick of roommates. I'd also like peace of mind and the ability to sleep on a regular schedule, but I don't think that's going to happen ever.
7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Bad: August 29, Sal died/Mom in a coma.
The first weekend in November.. just more Mom/Sal stuff
Good:September 11, Mom woke up. Hearing her voice again was the best moment of my life so far.
November 4th, President Obama elected
October 31, dressed up as Tetris for Halloween... most awesome costume ever.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Being brave enough to move to a new city and start a new career. Also, holding it together throughout September and October. I'm amazed I was able to function at the level I did. Yay me!
9. What was your biggest failure? I've become really withdrawn, and I miss the way I was a year ago socially. I'm working on answering/returning phone calls and not neglecting friendships!
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Not really.
11. What was the best thing you bought? I'm almost totally out of debt... so even though it's boring I'd say buying my way out of it...
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My father.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Sarah Palin.
14. Where did most of your money go? Getting out of debt and also moving away.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? My job, moving to Portland, growing closer and closer to Oliver (dorky! But fun and true!), seeing Snoop at the Superbowl. (I just typed Souperbowl by mistake. I think that's what I should name the food cart I'm planning on opening.)
16. What song will always remind you of 2008? That sexy MGMT song Electric something or other. And Swamp Walk/anything by Dyke and the Blazers. Brige Over Troubled Water. And of course, the best song of 2008: Sensual Seduction.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happer or sadder? This is going to sound weird, but I think I'm happier. I think I have a handle on what really matters in my life now and it's nice.
ii. skinnier or fatter? Same
iii. richer or poorer? Same, but out of debt.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Yoga
19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Agonizing over decisions
20. How will you be spending Christmas? In tucson with the family
22. Did you fall in love in 2008? I stayed in love in 2008.
23. How many one-night stands? Zero.
24. What was your favorite TV program? Now that I can watch TV on my computer EVERYTHING is my favorite. Especially Paris Hilton's My New BFF, The Hills, 30 Rock and the Daily Show.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? No
26. What was the best book you read? Jenny and the Jaws of Life.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery? Dyke and the Blazers, and this band that always comes on my Pandora Station and I can't remember it right now. Dang.
28. What did you want and get? Out of Arizona.
29. What did you want and not get? A billion dollars.
30. Did you make any new friends this year? Yeah.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 25 and on my actual birthday I went to Gila Bend to get my mom's things from the police who rescued her. Sucky huh? BUT, a few days later my best friends threw me a "surprise" dinner at Postino and that is one of my favorite memories of the year.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? I'm going to skip the easy and overly emotional answer and just go with, winning a Pulitzer.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? professional. Not allowed to look like a slob at my new job... even when I'm exhausted.
34. What kept you sane? My friends and family. Lexapro.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? I am in love with Daniel Day Lewis.
36. What political issue stirred you the most? Obviously the presidential election... except that's not really an "issue." School funding/NCLB of course. I'm pretty worked up over the situation in Zimbabwe... but I guess that's due to wayyyyyy too much NPR in my life.
37. Who did you miss? Sal, my friends in Arizona, my mom and dad, my brother and sister. Basically everyone who matters to me except Oliver.
38. Who was the best new person you met? Matt D.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008: Call your mother.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"Be thankful for what you've got."
1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before? Moved to Portland and a few other moderately interesting things.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don't make resolutions. I did quit smoking in February, and I think I will continue to be a non-smoker.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Yes, my cousin had a daughter.
4. Did anyone close to you die? Yes.
5. What countries did you visit? None.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? My own place to live. So sick of roommates. I'd also like peace of mind and the ability to sleep on a regular schedule, but I don't think that's going to happen ever.
7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Bad: August 29, Sal died/Mom in a coma.
The first weekend in November.. just more Mom/Sal stuff
Good:September 11, Mom woke up. Hearing her voice again was the best moment of my life so far.
November 4th, President Obama elected
October 31, dressed up as Tetris for Halloween... most awesome costume ever.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Being brave enough to move to a new city and start a new career. Also, holding it together throughout September and October. I'm amazed I was able to function at the level I did. Yay me!
9. What was your biggest failure? I've become really withdrawn, and I miss the way I was a year ago socially. I'm working on answering/returning phone calls and not neglecting friendships!
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Not really.
11. What was the best thing you bought? I'm almost totally out of debt... so even though it's boring I'd say buying my way out of it...
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My father.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Sarah Palin.
14. Where did most of your money go? Getting out of debt and also moving away.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? My job, moving to Portland, growing closer and closer to Oliver (dorky! But fun and true!), seeing Snoop at the Superbowl. (I just typed Souperbowl by mistake. I think that's what I should name the food cart I'm planning on opening.)
16. What song will always remind you of 2008? That sexy MGMT song Electric something or other. And Swamp Walk/anything by Dyke and the Blazers. Brige Over Troubled Water. And of course, the best song of 2008: Sensual Seduction.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happer or sadder? This is going to sound weird, but I think I'm happier. I think I have a handle on what really matters in my life now and it's nice.
ii. skinnier or fatter? Same
iii. richer or poorer? Same, but out of debt.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Yoga
19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Agonizing over decisions
20. How will you be spending Christmas? In tucson with the family
22. Did you fall in love in 2008? I stayed in love in 2008.
23. How many one-night stands? Zero.
24. What was your favorite TV program? Now that I can watch TV on my computer EVERYTHING is my favorite. Especially Paris Hilton's My New BFF, The Hills, 30 Rock and the Daily Show.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? No
26. What was the best book you read? Jenny and the Jaws of Life.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery? Dyke and the Blazers, and this band that always comes on my Pandora Station and I can't remember it right now. Dang.
28. What did you want and get? Out of Arizona.
29. What did you want and not get? A billion dollars.
30. Did you make any new friends this year? Yeah.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 25 and on my actual birthday I went to Gila Bend to get my mom's things from the police who rescued her. Sucky huh? BUT, a few days later my best friends threw me a "surprise" dinner at Postino and that is one of my favorite memories of the year.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? I'm going to skip the easy and overly emotional answer and just go with, winning a Pulitzer.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? professional. Not allowed to look like a slob at my new job... even when I'm exhausted.
34. What kept you sane? My friends and family. Lexapro.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? I am in love with Daniel Day Lewis.
36. What political issue stirred you the most? Obviously the presidential election... except that's not really an "issue." School funding/NCLB of course. I'm pretty worked up over the situation in Zimbabwe... but I guess that's due to wayyyyyy too much NPR in my life.
37. Who did you miss? Sal, my friends in Arizona, my mom and dad, my brother and sister. Basically everyone who matters to me except Oliver.
38. Who was the best new person you met? Matt D.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008: Call your mother.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"Be thankful for what you've got."