yup yup. i stole this whole questionnaire from angela, who got it from somewhere else. my post won't be nearly as amazing as angela's, who had a much more interesting year than i. however, here goes... i'm always up for a little self-disclosure, at least when it's in written form. :)
What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
i climbed everest. did you miss that post? just kidding. hmm. i don't know? oh, here. i've got one. i let go some body image issues. sure, i'll wear a swimsuit. sure, take my picture. (but, do NOT take a picture of me in a swimsuit -- to be clear, those are TWO SEPERATE EVENTS.) am i at my best weight? nope; not at all. but i don't really care. victory!
Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
i will not answer this; i don't like new year's resolutions. i think people in general should just resolve to always do their best, learn from their mistakes, and welcome personal growth, and that they should do this everyday, not just january 1st.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
YES. my "cousin" kristina and my dear friend lily both had babies in '08. and so did jenny, and carolyn, and i can name even more. but i'll stop there.
Did anyone close to you die?
no, thankfully.
What countries did you visit?
i honestly can't remember if i ventured over the canadian border this year, or if it was last? no, it was last -- 2007 -- because i haven't been since milo was born. sigh. i've been here all year.
What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
see resolutions question above... there are a lot of things i could "have" but there is really nothing i "need". i have a great marriage, 2 wonderful kids, a roof over my head.... i am wealthy in many ways and hope this continues. oh, but i do hope to continue to grow and learn and all that stuff.
What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
march 12 -- i tried to return to "work".
june 4 -- milo is hospitalized on his 6-month birthday for an asthma attack.
july 1 -- done with "work". even part-time.
september 2 -- arwen's first day of kindergarten.
halloween -- milo took his first steps.
november 4 -- i actually felt as if i were part of history in the making.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
hmm... i don't know. i guess it would be making the transition from parenting 1 to parenting 2. but that is honestly still a work in progress.
What was your biggest failure?
i don't know that i had a "failure" in '08. did anybody really? see above.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
besides the common cold, and strep? nope. this has been a great year, with ulcerative colitis largely in remission. i am thankful for that.
What was the best thing you bought?
you know this one too: the BlackBerry, lovingly referred to by me as my pinkberry. it has changed my life and i love it. so there.
Whose behavior merited celebration?
i can't believe i'm going to say this, but arwen's. she still has her occasional fit, and she still drives me up the wall, but generally speaking, she has seen some major behavioral shifts for the better. and, as i have transitioned to being a parent of 2, she has transitioned to big sisterhood very well. so yay, arwen. and yay for the really expensive school that has helped her learn some if it.
Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
hmm. how about the american media? from the election coverage to sensationalizing stories about death (caylee anthony) to mocking less mainstream families (pregnant man), the media never ceases to amaze me, and not in a good way.
Where did most of your money go?
oh lord. to the grocery store, and to the gas pumps for the first half of the year. seriously? we have very little disposable income. almost all of it goes to (attempt to) cover our bills.
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
watching milo's growth and development, from newborn "bundle" to tiny walking man!
seeing arwen grow in many ways, specifically socially and interpersonally.
the presidential election.
What song will always remind you of 2008?
"viva la vida" by coldplay. not only was it released this year, but the entire album has been playing in my car nonstop since october. and i will always remember arwen's love of that song and her little five-year-old voice singing it on car trips (along with "cemeteries of london", also on that album).
Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
a) huh? i think i'm equally happy as i was this time last year. well, wait. this time last year i was more sleep-deprived, i think. so maybe i'm happier now.
b)
thinner, by default, since i was only a few weeks postpartum at this time last year (but that isn't saying much).
c) neither richer nor poorer.
What do you wish you’d done more of?
sitting on facebook wasting time. just kidding. i don't know... appreciating the moments?
What do you wish you’d done less of?
yelling at arwen. being cranky. worrying about money.
How did you spend Christmas?
spent christmas morning at home and then the afternoon over at dad's house.
Did you fall in love in 2008?
yes, in two ways, and both with milo. first, i did the "in love" with your newborn thing. only i will say that happened THIS year, not last, despite the fact that he was born in december of '07. some mothers fall in love with their children immediately (as i did with arwen). for others, or for other children, the bonding process is different. i LOVED milo from moment one. but i fell (insanely) in love with him over about six weeks. that's not a bad thing; just the way it happened for us.
then, much later in the year, there was a moment (this month actually) that i was putting milo back to bed after his usual midnight-ish awakening. he rolled over onto my arm, wrapping himself around it and resting his head on my shoulder. in that moment, as he slept on me, i could feel his gentle breathing, and his heart beating, and feeling of total love, trust, and connection with him. it was then that i think i actually felt my heart swell with love in a way i never have before.
What was your favorite TV program?
i can't pick one. there are many. if you read this blog, you should be able to recite these with me as you read them: the amazing race. so you think you can dance. desperate housewives. 30Rock. gray's anatomy. scrubs.
oh, and here's one that only applies to '08: the election coverage by saturday night live, specifically tina fey as sarah palin. good stuff.
What was the best book you read?
uh, i'm ashamed to say that i didn't read a book in '08. sad, but true.
What was your favorite film this year?
i loved ironman, believe it or not. and i also liked the dark knight.
What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
i turned 31 on december 13. it was a great night out with my family including my mother who was in-town for the weekend. we ate japanese food and did some christmas shopping. oh, and we had milo's birthday party that day too. it was a good day!
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
i don't know. i think if jonathan had a benefitted job, it would have made things more satisfying for BOTH of us. he would have had paid time off which would have been nice for him, and we would be less stressed out in general about his job stability.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
omg, as always, i don't have a personal fashion concept. this questionnaire is not made for stay-home moms.
What kept you sane?
my husband, the occasional massage or pedicure, and my good friends who text with me, eat sweets with me, facebook with me, and read my blog. oh, and writing here. writing is therapeutic.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
barack obama. clearly.
What political issue stirred you the most?
good grief, this is a great year to ask this question. i will actually do something non-election related, since y'all already know how i feel about that... i will say elliot spitzer's choice of extramarital activities stirred me up pretty significantly. as did john edwards', now that i think of it.
Who did you miss?
i miss my grandfather (in general). i miss colorado and all of the people there. i miss my mom and my sister because they live far away. same ole.
Who was the best new person you met?
my friend christie.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
it's ok to need help. and, if you need something, you have to open your mouth and say so. even if you think you shouldn't have to. and even if you don't want to.
Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"you go backwards, and then, you go forwards again." - coldplay
