I completed this meme last year, although for the life of me I can't find it now. When I think back to the end of 2009 and compare it to where I am now...all I can say is "holy shit." It may have only been 365 days, but I've changed so much. I'm in a completely, entirely different place. Just on the surface, I've got a new job, a new apartment, a new city, and I don't have John around anymore. It's not just one thing that changed but everything. I know I haven't blogged about this yet, and I don't know if I can ever blog the whole story (it was a very tragic few months for me, where I didn't really know which way was up and which way was down) but I have made a New Year's Resolution to journal more, and even bought a new journal for that purpose.
Anyway, in celebration/commemoration of the fact that I survived 2010, a year that was BY FAR my most difficult, I think I shall do the End of the Year Meme again. Enjoy. :)
1. What did you do in 2010 that you’?d never done before?
OK, this is a tough one. Let's see...finished my first novel that I was happy with and thought I could get published. Lived on my own. Got my first job that actually makes use of my college education. Those are the biggies, but the smaller ones would be: tried to cook a traditional Indian dinner (very difficult!), got a manicure and a pedicure for the first time, and waxed a part of me that had never been waxed before. *ahem*
2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I kept one! I finished The Blood Queen (Tayce Book #1)! That was #1 on my New Year's Resolution list for 2010! Boo-yah! Not so successful with Resolution #2, which was make a work-out schedule and stick to it. But hey, that means I still have a #2 for this year (after complete The Eternal Forest Tayce Book #2). :grin:
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope, not that I can think of.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
...Yes. Two people. A family friend's daughter (whom I've known most of her life) committed suicide at the end of summer. And John's father died of a sudden heart attack. You could call these two events the harbingers of what followed; the reason for the change of my life. I'll always regret not speaking to those two people more often, and wishing I kept in touch better than I did.
5. What countries did you visit?
None. Unless you count driving around Arizona to different job interviews. Some of those places really were like different countries, especially for a city girl like me.
6. What would you like to have in 2011 which you lacked in 2010?
Oh man, where to start? To get the shallow ones out of the way: more money, more time, and more...other stuff (what? It's been a while). But, I'd also like to figure out some stuff about myself; grow some more peace of mind. It takes practice, but 2011 is definitely going to be the Year of Me; getting myself into a stronger, better place.
7. What date from 2010 will remain etched in your memory, and why?
Sept. 7th, 2010, the day John and I called it quits. A seven year relationship ending is never easy.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Meeting all my challenges face-on with [relative] calmness and fortitude. The simple fact that I'm not a blubbering mess right now and I can wake up each day [more or less] happy about my life.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I'd like to say that I couldn't work it out with John, but truthfully, I think there was no way to fix it. What happened had to happen, even if it hurt. So my biggest failure? My inability to be more pro-active about work and exercise. A friend told me that considering everything that happened, I deserve to have some days to "just deal," but I sometimes feel that the line is thin between "dealing" and "procrastinating."
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Not really. Not anything physical, except for stress-induced headaches and back pain. But I'm working on those.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Oh, I really tricked myself out this year. I was like, "Why not? It's my money." I bought a SmartPhone and now I'm unsure how I managed without one (it's got an app for that!). I also am in love with my B&N Nook. There is an ease to knowing I can get a new book whenever the heck I want.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My wonderful, saintly friends who were all there for me. You know what they say - true friends are the ones who are there in time of crisis and boy, do I know who my true friends are now. I'm so glad I had such a strong support system, otherwise I really would be a blubbering mess right now.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Oh, gee, I wonder who? Hmm...who indeed? Do I really need to name the perpetrator or can we just leave it at "DUH"? :P
14. Where did most of your money go?
After bills, most likely splurge book purchases. Though I did spend a butt load to move (moving is not cheap; sudden moving even doubly so).
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The new Ann Aguirre novel! She cannot write fast enough for my tastes. :) Otherwise, Fable III and the new Sims 3 expansions.
16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
"Airplanes" by B.O.B
"My Moon My Man" by Faust
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: Happier or sadder? Thinner or fatter? Richer or poorer?
Sadder, but in a way that I know will lead to better things. Same thinness/fatness (glass half empty or full?). Richer? I have enough income now that I can save a little for a rainy day, but otherwise I'm the same amount of poorness.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Relaxing, enjoying the time I had with people, writing.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worrying/angsting. Lazing about or watching TV. Getting angry.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Spent Christmas with my family.
21. Did you fall in love in 2010?
*snort* No. Shame, really, I wouldn't mind a good love affair. But, in some ways, I did fall in love with myself all over again. ;)
22. What was your favorite new TV program?
I ended up stopping my cable, so I haven't watched much current TV. However, I did discover the awesomeness of two comedy shows that are still airing on TV: Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't hate because I feel if you hate, you're spending way too much time on one person who definitely doesn't deserve it. That being said, I did burn a few bridges and walked away with my head held high.
24. What was the best book you read?
This year I discovered quite a few good, new authors and am really happy about that! To name the top three new, favorite authors on my list:
Ann Aguirre
Marjorie M. Liu
Sara Creasy
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
My memory is blurring as to what I knew last year and this year. The last few months, I haven't done any new music hunting. But, I did procure a new love for: Faust, Feist, Bat for Lashes, and La Roux. I also rediscovered my love for Blue October, Breaking Benjamin, a few of Ke$ha and Lady Gaga's songs, and Muse. I also listened to a lot of Kitsune Compilations, BoA, Bossa N'Roses, Coheed and Cambria, and Two Steps from Hell, and Placebo.
26. What did you want and get?
When? All year? I guess more time, more love, and more goodies.
27. What did you want and not get?
Love and support from certain people.
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Oh man, I saw a lot of movies and I'm forgetting the best...but the ones that really stick out in my memory is the Sherlock Holmes movie and Easy A. Sunshine Cleaning was also pretty good.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old did you turn?
I turned 25 and I don't remember what I did, which must have meant it was pretty memorable :P (or not). I think it was one of the most laid back birthdays I've ever had.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Um...not sure, honestly. This requires me to regret a lot of choices, and while I'm sad things turned out the way they did, I also think there was no way to avoid what happened in 2010. So, I do wish that the people who died hadn't done so, that they were still around in this world; I do wish my job wasn't so difficult; I also wish I had spent more times with friends and wasn't so busy now.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
"How can I be professional and look like I know what I'm talking about while staying firmly in the business casual sphere, not paying an arm and a leg for clothes, and avoiding pantyhose like the plague?"
32. What kept you sane?
Wonderful friends, my own space (new apartment), good music, and writing (when I had the time).
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
At this point, most of them look more or less good. Although, I'd still play soccer if it meant I got Jonathon Rhys Meyers. (a cookie for anyone who can name that reference ;) )
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Equal marriage rights. Speaking as someone who KNOWS marriage ain't always the sacred blah-blah people want it to be, lets just share our antiquated and overly idolized institutions, okay people?
35. Whom did you miss?
My friends! It sucks being 1.5 hours away in a town whose smallest population % is my age group! :emotion:
36. Who was the best new person you met?
My mentor at work. I'd've crashed and burned if not for her.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010:
Life sometimes really sucks and it's how you meet the sucky bits that show how strong you really are. And I'm hella strong.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
If I may indulge, there's three that really sum up 2010 for me. Sorry if they sound a little emo, but I think they're very fitting for everything that went down in the last few months.
"But I'm good without ya
Yeah, I'm good without you
Yeah, yeah, yeah
How many times can I break till I shatter?
Over the line can't define what I'm after
I always turn the car around
Give me a break let me make my own pattern
All that it takes is some time but I'm shattered" ("Shattered" by O.A.R)
"Can we pretend that airplanes
In the night sky
Are like shooting stars
I could really use a wish right now (wish right now, wish right now)
Yeah
I could use a dream or a genie or a wish
To go back to a place much simpler than this" ("Airplanes" by B.O.B)
"Do, do, do your dirty words
Come out to play when you are hurt?
There's certain things that should be left unsaid
Tick, tick, tick, tick on the watch
And life's too short for me to stop
Oh baby, your time is running out
I won't let you turn around
And tell me now I'm much too proud
All you do is fill me up with doubt
This time, baby, I'll be bulletproof" ("Bulletproof" by La Roux).
