Adios, 2007

I am lame, so I typed “New Year’s Meme” into google and found this to be the most commonly used yearly assessment. I think I did it a few years ago, before a blog existed, and emailed it en masse. It is a nice reflection. Enjoy.

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?

Most obviously, I got married (which I fear will define most of the answers in this summary, as it truly what made 2007 the best one ever). Additional, random things: drove to Arkansas (twice), had dinner at Café Maude, went to California, played Wii, various other daily differences.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I don’t even remember my resolutions from last year, so I guess that means I didn’t keep them. This year, I will try to be healthier. I will eat better, work out more, and de-stress more often.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Various acquaintances gave birth (there was something in the water at my job), but no one really close to me. Maybe this year???

4. Did anyone close to you die?

I am affected easily by anyone’s death. I feel the pain of my loved ones and their losses. For that reason, yes. My husband’s uncle died, and he was an amazing man who I wish I knew better. My sister’s dog died (don’t laugh), and it was tragic and unexpected, therefore heart-wrenching. A student at my school was killed in a car accident; this semester, I teach her brother. I had a couple of friends who lost relatives, so sad to see them experience this pain.

5. What countries did you visit?

Just this one, but we did go to Chinatown in San Fran…does that count?

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?

More time to enjoy life, which I’m sure I will have, since I am no longer planning a wedding and working on my Master’s degree.

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

January (date eludes me): my sister moved to Arkansas
May 12: Brendan and Kelly’s wedding
June 29: My own wedding
August 1: the 35W bridge collapse
August 11: Molly and Ryan’s wedding
September 16: Phoebe came into our lives
December 10: End of graduate school

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Completing my Master’s degree; it took 4 1/2 years, and this last one was definitely the most trying. The stress of procrastinating on my capstone project led me to writing an alternate plan paper that turned into a thesis in only three weeks.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Weight loss; cliché though it may be, I even worked with a personal trainer this year, and still managed to blow off going to the gym often enough to not lose weight. Boo.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

In March, I had my tonsils out after years and years of suffering. Pain! Oh, the pain. Not a fun surgery from which to recover. In the end, it was worth it, as I do not get food stuck in my throat any more, nor do I get sick as often.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Tough call, as my husband and I definitely did our part to help the economy this year. We enjoy our Wii and our new TV, as well as the carpet and walls in which they reside. Everything purchased in the name of wedding was great. I’d say our honeymoon trip to California was the best purchase overall, I guess. Definitely a great way to begin our life together.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

I celebrated Angie’s decisions this year: being brave and moving to the cities alone is admirable. I never would have come here if it weren’t for my husband. I also think Leslie and Josh deserve praise for being good spouses and moving many states away to make their spouses’ dreams come true.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

The president’s. Researching NCLB for my paper made me infinitely more aware of how deceitful that administration is. Obama in ’08!!!

14. Where did most of your money go?

To the wedding and the basement remodel.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

The wedding and honeymoon

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?

The song we danced our first dance to was Levi Smith’s “I’d Like to Think So”

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder? Definitely happier; I love being married!
b) thinner or fatter? Sadly, fatter
c) richer or poorer? My life is far richer, and I suppose my bank account is more full as well

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Working out, spending time with friends

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Griping; I tend to vent about darn near everything instead of trying to see the bright side. It is a very unhealthy habit.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

I spent Christmas Eve and Day at my aunt’s house in Bloomington, the following Saturday was spent celebrating in my husband’s home town.

21. Did you fall in love in 2007?

I fall more in love with my husband every day. I fell in love with our new dog Phoebe. I fell in love with Ugly Betty (thanks, Angie!). I fell in love with Harney and Sons silk tea bags (thanks, Heather!).

22. What was your favorite TV program?

Grey’s Anatomy tops the list again, as Survivor has gotten predictable. Top Chef and Project Runway are up there.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
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No, I equally dislike the same people I did last year, as far as I can tell.

24. What was the best book you read?

Oh, goodness. Reading is a passion, of course. So it’s a little difficult to pinpoint a “best.” I really enjoyed Reading Lolita in Tehran. I procured much research for my paper from Save Our Schools. I also read a great memoir (turned prose piece) by a mother and daughter called Comeback.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Without a doubt, the best new music in my life this year is Ingrid Michaelson, brought to me by Angie. Thanks, hon!

26. What did you want and get?

The love of my life’s hand in marriage.

27. What did you want and not get?

A honeymoon to Italy. We were in the planning stages last winter when our furnace went out. Heating our house in the middle of January seemed more important than an Italian honeymoon. So, to California we went, and it was fabulous. Italy will be that much more special in the future.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

It’s hard to remember all the movies I’ve seen. Freshest in my mind would be Juno, which was honest and beautiful and funny all in one. It reminds me of Garden State, which I heart with passion. Harry Potter 5 cannot be forgotten, as it was the best film yet, even though the books continue to be better.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

It was finally my golden birthday, 26 on the 26th, and it wasn’t as special as it was supposed to be. Anne was 28 on the 28th, and we were always going to celebrate together, but then she up and moved to Ohio, so it was not to be. Instead, friends and family gathered at my favorite bowling alley, Memory Lanes, for food and bowling fun. Pretty good times for a Thursday.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

This is sad, but I think the one thing that would have made a greater difference this year is my dad. I am a traditionalist in many ways, and although I loved having my mom walk me down the aisle, I wish my daddy would have been there. After 11 1/2 years without him, it is mostly the big events that stand out. I still think about him and miss him every day, but the pain is pretty strong on days like a wedding.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?

If it fits and doesn’t smell, it’s in!

32. What kept you sane?

My husband, no question. He is very supportive in every way.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

I fell in love with Ellen Page a little after Juno. She was excellent.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

The start of the race for the White House really got me excited to get rid of our current president as fast as possible. The war in Iraq still makes me sad every day.

35. Who did you miss?

I miss my dad, my grandparents, and my friends and family who no longer live near me.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

I was fortunate enough to meet many of Molly’s friends this year, fun, fascinating women who I’m pleased to know. With Angie and Lane moving to Minneapolis, I’m sure I’ll get to see more of them soon.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.

Always remember that God’s plan for my life is better than my own.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

The song we walked down the aisle to was done instrumentally by my husband’s brothers, but the words are wonderful. “Heaven’s Already Here” by Collective Soul:

Wake up to a new morning
Got my babe by my side
Now I won't yield to new warnings
'Cause I got my piece of mind
Who's gonna bring me heaven
When heaven's already here
No more living in darkness
Now that love lights my way
I don't need any new changes
To make me love today

Happy New Year, everyone. May your year be filled with blessings.