I literally can't remember the last time I had a day like this. It's a friday, so I'd usually be at work right now. It's cold and snowy, so I don't feel guilty that I'm not spending the day outside being active. I cleaned like a fiend for the NY party, so I don't have the dirty bathroom or un-vacuumed floor whispering that I should be cleaning them, and I can't think of any projects I ought to be doing other than art school research, and that can wait until tomorrow. Today is a rare, special sort of day, and I'm going to savor it -- seriously, I'm so happy to sit and do nothing. I just wish I'd gotten up earlier so I'd have more of it, but I don't have any plans for tomorrow or Sunday, either, so maybe I can get to some more slothing then, too. Yay. :)
And now, as inspired by Catherine:
End of Year Survey!
-- What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
I broke up with someone, stayed at a Disney resort, took the GRE subject exam, saw my first episode of Star Trek (beginning of the end?), went to several new restaurants, and finally settled the decision I've been agonizing over since high school between English and Art.
-- Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't think I made any last year and I haven't thought about them yet for this year. If I'm feeling ambitious I might decide to always get up on time on work days or something... we'll see. Maybe just be more patient (and less of a spoiled only child brat) with my roommate.
-- Did anyone close to you give birth?
My friend Theresa! And several people from high school who I haven't actually seen in a long time.
-- Did anyone close to you die?
My grandpa (not super close, but very well loved).
-- What countries did you visit?
None, unless you count Disney World as a separate country (I might buy that argument).
-- What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
A firmer plan for the next few years.
-- What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
January 2: first breakup.
-- What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Breaking up with Brian and discovering I had the balls to do so, gearing up for & taking the English subject GRE, deciding to go to art school.
-- What was your biggest failure?
Not conquering my inability to get to work on time.
-- Did you suffer illness or injury?
A few colds.
-- What was the best thing you bought?
Season 5 of TNG, I think. Several good books, a set of shelves, some nice clothes for work, presents for people, and loose-leaf tea are some close seconds.
-- Whose behavior merited celebration?
Anna for making it to grad school like she always wanted, Monica for taking on her huge work load with much more courage and stamina than I could muster, and my roommate for being much more patient and graceful with me than I ever am with her.
-- Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Me for continuing to get up and into work late all the time, and for a variety of similar little failings. I'd say "disappointed" rather than "appalled and depressed," actually, but close enough. The usual variety of politicians, public figures, and terrorists.
-- Where did most of your money go?
Rent, food, utilities, my hair, clothes, entertainment.
-- What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Obama, TNG, art school.
-- What song will always remind you of 2009?
Poker Face and Bad Romance by Lady Gaga, Single Ladies by Beyonce, I Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas, Whenever, Wherever by Shakira, Take it On the Run by REO Speedwagon, Calabria 2008 by Enur, Oh Sherrie by Steve Perry, All My Days and Orange Sky by Alexi Murdoch, Why Do You Let Me Stay Here by She & Him, New Soul by Yael Naim, Floating the Flambeau by Gaelic Storm, Praan by Garry Schyman, anything by Jem, anything from the Slumdog soundtrack, and a ton of other stuff. (I live in my own little world of music.)
-- Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?
Happier.
b) thinner or fatter?
Thinner.
c) richer or poorer?
Richer.
...Hot damn, go me.
-- What do you wish you'd done more of?
Maybe exercising, but only in that general I should always be exercising more than I am sort of way.
-- What do you wish you'd done less of?
Complaining.
-- How will you be spending Christmas?
Spent it at home with the fam - eating, opening presents, eating, watching movies, eating.
-- Did you fall in love in 2009?
Other than with Jean-Luc Picard, no.
-- How many one-night stands?
Blaaaaaaahahahahahahaha.
-- What was your favorite TV program?
Don't tell me you haven't figured that out by now.
-- Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No.
-- What was the best book you read?
I can't honestly remember everything I read before early summer (can't have been super-memorable... I think I did a lot of rereading...), but probably Beauty, by Robin McKinley. Best new reads, Spindle's End and Sunshine by Robin McKinley.
-- What was your greatest musical discovery?
I technically discovered Pandora in fall of 2008, but I used the heck out of it this year. Also, a lot of single songs and some artists... see above list of songs. It was a very active year for me, musically.
-- What did you want and get?
Freedom from an oppressive relationship, a tentative plan for the future.
-- What did you want and not get?
A tan.
-- What was your favorite film of this year?
Away We Go.
-- What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I took off work and my mom and I drove to Saugatuck to window shop and have lunch. I also renewed my licence. 25.
-- What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I dunno -- I could list all the wish-I'd's from above again, but really, it was a good year. It got significantly better as it went, too -- the first 6 months were very much in the shadow of the Brian Breakup, plus I felt like I was in a rut, but time heals and I started working on plans for the future, which helped a lot. TNG gave me something fun to focus on, I developed a couple new friendships, and I love my cozy little apartment and my cats.
-- How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
At work: alternating between looking nice and sharp, and barely making myself pull on khakis and an acceptable sweater. Not at work: Comfy and casual, but somewhat cute. I'm still sweatshirt-queen, but I'm trying to move toward cuter sweatshirts that fit better and don't scream "THIS IS WHERE I WENT TO COLLEGE."
-- What kept you sane?
Working on a plan for the future.
-- Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Patrick Stewart. Purrrrr.
-- What political issue stirred you the most?
I spent most of the year coming down from the emotional fallout from the election, so I deliberately tried to focus away from politics. I guess all the bipartisan fighting.
-- Who did you miss?
I miss my two grandparents who died most recently. Not very actively, since I never saw them very often, but they were unusually sweet, good people and I feel their absence.
-- Who was the best new person you met?
Shannon! :) Not that I've technically met her.
Questions I just added:
- Unexpectedly memorable moment: Standing on the balcony of my friend Katie's and my suite at Disney's Animal Kingdom resort in February and doing nothing but staring at the African animals and actively feeling the warm breeze on my bare arms and legs.
- Stopped: Checking facebook routinely.
- Started: My blog back up.
- Also: '09 was the year of Twitter.
-- Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:
It really is true that life stuck with someone who's not right for you is worse than life alone.
-- Quote a song that sums up your year:
Helping the kids out of their coats
But wait, the babies haven't been born oh
Unpacking the bags and setting up
And planting lilacs and buttercups oh
But in the meantime I've got it hard,
Second floor living without a yard.
It may be years until the day
My dreams will match up with my pay
-Mushaboom, Feist
Aw! :D
ReplyDeletePS for the win!!! I heartily concur.
ReplyDelete