New Year's Meme
In 2007...
1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?
Well... I've done quite a few things that I've never done before this year. I graduated from college, got married, moved to East Lansing, and started my Master's at MSU! Sheesh...
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't write any down on LJ so I'm not really sure if I actually actively made any new year's resolutions or not... but if I did it would probably have been to lose weight. And no, that did not happen. But yes, I will be making more resolutions for next year.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My oldest cousin, had a boy on... December 16 I think? His name is Samuel Jackson. Not even kidding.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
On December 19 Rick, my father-in-law, died suddenly. They think it was a major heart attack.
Two of my grandpa's siblings also died, although I had probably only met them once, if ever. All I really knew about them was that grandpa had 16 siblings, and now he's down to 10.
5. What countries did you visit?
Canada, and - of course - the good old USA. Yeah, I'm not very well traveled... YET.
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Other than peace with the voices in my head? I'm not really sure. I don't feel like I lack anything major in my life right now.
7. What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
July 14 - our wedding day
December 19 - Rick died
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
My biggest personal achievement was probably graduating from college, with honors. Although there is also the fact that I was given a full-ride assistantship for my Master's... that was pretty cool, too.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Achieving any weight loss whatsoever.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing major... I had a pretty bad cold in November...
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Hm... well Colin and I just bought a cool new 42" HDTV. But I think my Christmas tree was probably the best. It just feels good to have my own tree, even if it is only three feet tall, and having it decorated with things that mean something to Colin and me.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Um... celebration? I think that a lot of peoples' behavior merited appreciation, but I'm not so sure about celebration. I definitely appreciate the effort that Colin puts into being romantic sometimes (poor guy finds it so hard), and I appreciate my family's love and support... I appreciate a lot.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I try not to be appalled or depressed by anyone's behavior. We're all capable of appalling behavior, and people love us anyway.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Stuff... seriously, I'm really not sure. Probably a combination of rent, credit card bills, and various other payments that eat my checking account on a monthly basis.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
When I got my assistantship, I started screaming in the snack bar. I think I scared the freshmen. Those that didn't know me, anyway.
16. What songs will always remind you of 2007?
I don't know... songs only remind me of time periods in retrospect.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder?
I think probably happier.
ii. thinner or fatter?
Fatter.
iii. richer or poorer?
Hm... I suppose I feel a bit richer.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Really appreciating the time I spend with my family and friends.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Worrying and being anxious about EVERYTHING.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Well, it's already past Christmas. But I spent Christmas eve with my parents and sister, having fondue and opening gifts. We went to midnight mass with Colin's family, and then had Christmas morning present opening with his mom, grandparents, Patrick, and Kendra. Then we had an early dinner and more present opening with his Aunt and Uncle, three cousins, and his grandparents and mom.
21. How will you be spending New Years?
With my sorority sisters and a few other friends, drinking and being merry ;D
22. Did you fall in love in 2007?
More and more each day...
23. How many one night stands?
zero
24. What were your favorite TV programs?
Scrubs, Cold Case, all versions of Law & Order
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
You know, hate is such a nasty thing. It messes with dharma. I don't like messing with dharma.
26. What was the best book you read?
Oh, wow, I read a lot of books this year... and I can hardly remember any of them specifically. Maybe 'Wicked'? I'm really enjoying the Wheel of Time books, too.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
It's really more of a REdiscovery... I rediscovered my love for Sister Hazel, Dido, New Radicals... and a few others that I really liked when I was in high school.
28. What did you want and get?
My husband :D
And an assistantship! And a new lap top... and seasons of Scrubs on DVD... and a new TV... there are a lot of things that I wanted and got this year.
29. What did you want and not get?
My own personal set of 300 Spartans
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Mmm... 300 ranks up there pretty high (don't mind me *drool*)... I can't think of anything else that came out this year off the top of my head, though.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Well, I turned 22 and... the night before my birthday I went out to dinner with Colin and my parents to Ukai, and then on my birthday I went to Old Chicago with Erin, Chris and Leigh. Then later in the week a bunch of other friends came up to Lansing to see Beowulf on IMAX, and we went out to Old Chicago again after the movie. Yeah... I like extending my birthday as much as possible.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Patience. No, this didn't always work, but I have a feeling this year could have been a lot worse if I hadn't learned some measure of patience.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Shoes? *runs away screaming*
Other than that... jeans, t-shirts and sweatshirts, fading into a slightly more refined sweaters and jeans look by the end.
34. What kept you sane?
This question assumes that I stayed sane. I had several very insane moments this year, and I'm not sure I can claim anything actually kept me sane.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Um... the cast of 300? David Wenham, anyway. His voice makes me weak... and the abs don't hurt.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
I suppose the war... it's way too close to home not to rile me up every now and then.
37. Who did you miss?
I miss my husband, even though he's standing in the kitchen not two yards away right now, because I know he's leaving again in about five days. I also miss having all of my friends close by, and my parents.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Um... I don't really know. I met quite a few new people this year.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
You can try to do everything right, and you're still going to die. So live every day as if it could be your last, and never forget to tell your loved ones, "I love you."
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
My life requires more than a lyric... it requires a soundtrack, and I really don't feel like thinking hard enough to come up with all of the songs required for said soundtrack. It would likely be one of those sets that you order the first one, and then they trick you by sending you a new CD every month and charging you for it whether you really want it or not.
In 2008...
1. Will you be looking for a new job?
Most likely... I'll be done with my Master's and I'll need to do something at that point.
2. Will you be looking for a new relationship?
I think I'll stick with the one I've got. I've grown kind of attached to him.
3. New house?
Possibly... if Colin comes back and wants to go active, then no. But if he comes back and doesn't, then yes.
4. What will you do different in 08?
Try to be a little more consistently happy and content. I'm happy in retrospect, but in all honest, this year has been a hard one.
5. New Years resolution?
*Lose 50 lbs
*Pay off credit card debt
6. What will you not be doing in 08?
Having much sex, that's for sure. Bah.
7. Any trips planned?
Possibly a trip with Colin, either when he goes on R&R or when he comes home in November. We're talking about going to Europe and spending a few days here and a few days there... although it's more likely that we'd just do a few days in Germany, if we go to Europe at all, due to financial constraints. It depends on how much we've saved by then. Also, I'm thinking about going to see my Big, Kitty, in Alabama for spring break. I'm not really sure about that though, either.
8. Wedding plans?
Not for myself... been there, done that! But it looks like I'll have a cousin's wedding in June (I think?), and a friend's in July. There's also another cousin and a brother-in-law that are planning on tying the knot, but I'm not sure when, and I kind of doubt either of those will happen this year.
9. Major thing on your calendar?
Um... I plan on having my Master's by the end of 2008. And weddings and such...
10. What can't you wait for?
My husband to come home in November, knowing that he'll be home for at least a year after that.
11. What would you like to see happen different?
I'm not really sure yet, aside from various things I've already mentioned throughout this survey.
12. What about yourself will you be changing?
Well, definitely my size, but I also expect to change in ways that I can't predict.
13. What happened in 07 that you didn't think would ever happen?
Various things... but then again, I don't tend to think anything is impossible. There are definitely things that I didn't think would happen so soon, like getting married and losing my father-in-law... but not so much with the thinking things would never happen.
14. Will you be nicer to the people you care about?
I'll try to be.
15. Will you dress differently this year than you did in 07?
I'm trying to develop a more 'professional' wardrobe for when I have to enter the workforce. They don't let you wear flip-flops in professional work settings, do they?
16. Will you start or quit drinking?
Nope...
17. Will you better your relationship with your family?
I hope so. We're pretty close already, but things can always be made better, right?
18. Will you do charity work?
I'm working on joining up with Big Brothers Big Sisters right now, and I'm also thinking I might do a few other things this year. I used to do more, but in the past few years all I've done is donate a few presents for the Angel Tree program each year.
19. Will you go to bars?
Why, yes... I will.
20. Will you be nice to people you don't know?
I usually am. Unless they look at me funny.
21. Do you expect 08 to be a good year for you?
This may just go to show how superstitious I am, but I think that 7 is my lucky number. I think that this year was a lucky year for me. I'm not sure how I feel about the number 8... but I'm going to try to make this as good of a year as possible!
22. How much did you change from this time last year till now?
A LOT.
23. Do you plan on having a child?
Not this year.
24. Will you still be friends with the same people you are friends with now?
Hopefully.
25. Major lifestyle changes?
Eating better, working out more... just generally trying to work toward a more healthy lifestyle. Also, my husband will be gone for the majority of the year. But then he was gone for about 6 months from Oct 2006 - Apr 2007 so... I guess that isn't a huge change... just a longer time period.
26. Will you be moving?
Possibly next December, but definitely not sooner.
27. What will you make sure doesn't happen in 08 that happened in 07?
Um... well I suppose I'll make sure I don't have a wedding in 08, because I really only need one.
28. What are your New Years Eve plans?
I already answer this question, above.
29. Will you have someone to kiss at midnight?
Yup: my honey!
30. One wish for 08?
That Colin comes home safe from Iraq.
1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?
Well... I've done quite a few things that I've never done before this year. I graduated from college, got married, moved to East Lansing, and started my Master's at MSU! Sheesh...
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't write any down on LJ so I'm not really sure if I actually actively made any new year's resolutions or not... but if I did it would probably have been to lose weight. And no, that did not happen. But yes, I will be making more resolutions for next year.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My oldest cousin, had a boy on... December 16 I think? His name is Samuel Jackson. Not even kidding.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
On December 19 Rick, my father-in-law, died suddenly. They think it was a major heart attack.
Two of my grandpa's siblings also died, although I had probably only met them once, if ever. All I really knew about them was that grandpa had 16 siblings, and now he's down to 10.
5. What countries did you visit?
Canada, and - of course - the good old USA. Yeah, I'm not very well traveled... YET.
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Other than peace with the voices in my head? I'm not really sure. I don't feel like I lack anything major in my life right now.
7. What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
July 14 - our wedding day
December 19 - Rick died
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
My biggest personal achievement was probably graduating from college, with honors. Although there is also the fact that I was given a full-ride assistantship for my Master's... that was pretty cool, too.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Achieving any weight loss whatsoever.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing major... I had a pretty bad cold in November...
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Hm... well Colin and I just bought a cool new 42" HDTV. But I think my Christmas tree was probably the best. It just feels good to have my own tree, even if it is only three feet tall, and having it decorated with things that mean something to Colin and me.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Um... celebration? I think that a lot of peoples' behavior merited appreciation, but I'm not so sure about celebration. I definitely appreciate the effort that Colin puts into being romantic sometimes (poor guy finds it so hard), and I appreciate my family's love and support... I appreciate a lot.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I try not to be appalled or depressed by anyone's behavior. We're all capable of appalling behavior, and people love us anyway.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Stuff... seriously, I'm really not sure. Probably a combination of rent, credit card bills, and various other payments that eat my checking account on a monthly basis.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
When I got my assistantship, I started screaming in the snack bar. I think I scared the freshmen. Those that didn't know me, anyway.
16. What songs will always remind you of 2007?
I don't know... songs only remind me of time periods in retrospect.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder?
I think probably happier.
ii. thinner or fatter?
Fatter.
iii. richer or poorer?
Hm... I suppose I feel a bit richer.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Really appreciating the time I spend with my family and friends.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Worrying and being anxious about EVERYTHING.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Well, it's already past Christmas. But I spent Christmas eve with my parents and sister, having fondue and opening gifts. We went to midnight mass with Colin's family, and then had Christmas morning present opening with his mom, grandparents, Patrick, and Kendra. Then we had an early dinner and more present opening with his Aunt and Uncle, three cousins, and his grandparents and mom.
21. How will you be spending New Years?
With my sorority sisters and a few other friends, drinking and being merry ;D
22. Did you fall in love in 2007?
More and more each day...
23. How many one night stands?
zero
24. What were your favorite TV programs?
Scrubs, Cold Case, all versions of Law & Order
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
You know, hate is such a nasty thing. It messes with dharma. I don't like messing with dharma.
26. What was the best book you read?
Oh, wow, I read a lot of books this year... and I can hardly remember any of them specifically. Maybe 'Wicked'? I'm really enjoying the Wheel of Time books, too.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
It's really more of a REdiscovery... I rediscovered my love for Sister Hazel, Dido, New Radicals... and a few others that I really liked when I was in high school.
28. What did you want and get?
My husband :D
And an assistantship! And a new lap top... and seasons of Scrubs on DVD... and a new TV... there are a lot of things that I wanted and got this year.
29. What did you want and not get?
My own personal set of 300 Spartans
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Mmm... 300 ranks up there pretty high (don't mind me *drool*)... I can't think of anything else that came out this year off the top of my head, though.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Well, I turned 22 and... the night before my birthday I went out to dinner with Colin and my parents to Ukai, and then on my birthday I went to Old Chicago with Erin, Chris and Leigh. Then later in the week a bunch of other friends came up to Lansing to see Beowulf on IMAX, and we went out to Old Chicago again after the movie. Yeah... I like extending my birthday as much as possible.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Patience. No, this didn't always work, but I have a feeling this year could have been a lot worse if I hadn't learned some measure of patience.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Shoes? *runs away screaming*
Other than that... jeans, t-shirts and sweatshirts, fading into a slightly more refined sweaters and jeans look by the end.
34. What kept you sane?
This question assumes that I stayed sane. I had several very insane moments this year, and I'm not sure I can claim anything actually kept me sane.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Um... the cast of 300? David Wenham, anyway. His voice makes me weak... and the abs don't hurt.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
I suppose the war... it's way too close to home not to rile me up every now and then.
37. Who did you miss?
I miss my husband, even though he's standing in the kitchen not two yards away right now, because I know he's leaving again in about five days. I also miss having all of my friends close by, and my parents.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Um... I don't really know. I met quite a few new people this year.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
You can try to do everything right, and you're still going to die. So live every day as if it could be your last, and never forget to tell your loved ones, "I love you."
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
My life requires more than a lyric... it requires a soundtrack, and I really don't feel like thinking hard enough to come up with all of the songs required for said soundtrack. It would likely be one of those sets that you order the first one, and then they trick you by sending you a new CD every month and charging you for it whether you really want it or not.
In 2008...
1. Will you be looking for a new job?
Most likely... I'll be done with my Master's and I'll need to do something at that point.
2. Will you be looking for a new relationship?
I think I'll stick with the one I've got. I've grown kind of attached to him.
3. New house?
Possibly... if Colin comes back and wants to go active, then no. But if he comes back and doesn't, then yes.
4. What will you do different in 08?
Try to be a little more consistently happy and content. I'm happy in retrospect, but in all honest, this year has been a hard one.
5. New Years resolution?
*Lose 50 lbs
*Pay off credit card debt
6. What will you not be doing in 08?
Having much sex, that's for sure. Bah.
7. Any trips planned?
Possibly a trip with Colin, either when he goes on R&R or when he comes home in November. We're talking about going to Europe and spending a few days here and a few days there... although it's more likely that we'd just do a few days in Germany, if we go to Europe at all, due to financial constraints. It depends on how much we've saved by then. Also, I'm thinking about going to see my Big, Kitty, in Alabama for spring break. I'm not really sure about that though, either.
8. Wedding plans?
Not for myself... been there, done that! But it looks like I'll have a cousin's wedding in June (I think?), and a friend's in July. There's also another cousin and a brother-in-law that are planning on tying the knot, but I'm not sure when, and I kind of doubt either of those will happen this year.
9. Major thing on your calendar?
Um... I plan on having my Master's by the end of 2008. And weddings and such...
10. What can't you wait for?
My husband to come home in November, knowing that he'll be home for at least a year after that.
11. What would you like to see happen different?
I'm not really sure yet, aside from various things I've already mentioned throughout this survey.
12. What about yourself will you be changing?
Well, definitely my size, but I also expect to change in ways that I can't predict.
13. What happened in 07 that you didn't think would ever happen?
Various things... but then again, I don't tend to think anything is impossible. There are definitely things that I didn't think would happen so soon, like getting married and losing my father-in-law... but not so much with the thinking things would never happen.
14. Will you be nicer to the people you care about?
I'll try to be.
15. Will you dress differently this year than you did in 07?
I'm trying to develop a more 'professional' wardrobe for when I have to enter the workforce. They don't let you wear flip-flops in professional work settings, do they?
16. Will you start or quit drinking?
Nope...
17. Will you better your relationship with your family?
I hope so. We're pretty close already, but things can always be made better, right?
18. Will you do charity work?
I'm working on joining up with Big Brothers Big Sisters right now, and I'm also thinking I might do a few other things this year. I used to do more, but in the past few years all I've done is donate a few presents for the Angel Tree program each year.
19. Will you go to bars?
Why, yes... I will.
20. Will you be nice to people you don't know?
I usually am. Unless they look at me funny.
21. Do you expect 08 to be a good year for you?
This may just go to show how superstitious I am, but I think that 7 is my lucky number. I think that this year was a lucky year for me. I'm not sure how I feel about the number 8... but I'm going to try to make this as good of a year as possible!
22. How much did you change from this time last year till now?
A LOT.
23. Do you plan on having a child?
Not this year.
24. Will you still be friends with the same people you are friends with now?
Hopefully.
25. Major lifestyle changes?
Eating better, working out more... just generally trying to work toward a more healthy lifestyle. Also, my husband will be gone for the majority of the year. But then he was gone for about 6 months from Oct 2006 - Apr 2007 so... I guess that isn't a huge change... just a longer time period.
26. Will you be moving?
Possibly next December, but definitely not sooner.
27. What will you make sure doesn't happen in 08 that happened in 07?
Um... well I suppose I'll make sure I don't have a wedding in 08, because I really only need one.
28. What are your New Years Eve plans?
I already answer this question, above.
29. Will you have someone to kiss at midnight?
Yup: my honey!
30. One wish for 08?
That Colin comes home safe from Iraq.