2008 in Review: stolen from Alice, who stole it from . . .

1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Performed bellydance on stage
Recognized I’m a perfectionist.

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I actually don’t remember what I planned on having as a resolution, and I don’t mind that because I think the point of new year’s resolutions is to make you reflect more than it is to actually do something different.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Holy crap, it was a baby year! Alice, who’s unborn baby attended my wedding. And all on the same floor I work on: Rachelle (co-worker), Anne (co-worker’s wife), Star (co-worker’s wife, and Yanling (co-worker).

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Fortunately, no.

5. Did anyone close to you get married?
Not that I remember

6. What countries did you visit?
Nothing outside the US, although I did go to Hawaii, which was magical.

7. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Would like to have a puppy, which would require a different apartment/house, which of course is complicated! I’d also like to have a better sense of where my career is going.

8. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
November 4, 2008 because we actually elected the presidential candidate I wanted to be president!

9. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I don’t know if there is one big thing, but maybe it was ignoring my anxiety and scheduling a committee meeting, which I had been putting off for some time.

10. What was your biggest failure?
Probably waiting so long to schedule it, and procrastinating on writing my paper.

11. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Thankfully, my health was really pretty good. Lots of aches and pains, but it was a result of actually doing something active!

12. What was the best thing you bought?
Jeans that actually fit well.

13. Where did most of your money go?
Oh dear, bellydance DVD’s and my haircut/highlights

14. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Being in the Spring UW Bellydance show in the beginner’s piece! And then being chosen to perform in the Advanced Piece this year.

15. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Kanye West’s “Stronger” because it’s been my “let’s get to work” anthem.

16. Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder? Happier, because I’m learning to worry less.
Older or wiser? Wiser, because I’ve learned a lot about my perfectionism and control issues.
Thinner or fatter? Probably fatter, but I’m trying not to stress about it.
Richer or poorer? Poorer . . . I really need to earn more money, and eat out less.

17. What do you wish you'd done more of?
I wish I would have worked harder on getting my paper done.

18. What do you wish you'd done less of?
I wish I’d worried less and been less critical of myself.

19. How will you be spending Christmas?
With my family, which was so amazing because every time I visit them I miss them more, not less.

20. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Sappy answer: over and over again with my husband, who continues to amaze me.

21. How many one-night stands?
ZERO, yo.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
The Tudors was grand for drama. For warm fuzzy goodness: Jon & Kate Plus Eight.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Actually, I don’t really hate anyone currently. Sure people get on my nerves, but hating anyone seems pretty wasteful of my emotions.

24. What was the best book you read?
Probably ‘The Lovely Bones” because I just couldn’t stop reading it even though it made me cry uncontrollably through significant portions of the book.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Leslie Hall was a magical discovery: so hilariously awesome!


26. What did you want and get?
I wanted to worry less, and I did make some progress on that.

27. What did you want and not get?
My shimmy did get better, but it’s still far from perfect. Shimmyquest 2009 will be forthcoming.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
That’s a tough one! Probably the new Batman movie, because Heath Ledger’s “Joker” was astonishingly good. I think Wall-E deserves an honorable mention, because it’s just so damn wonderful.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Well, now I’m 27. I don’t quite remember what I did, but I’m sure it was good.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Finishing my paper. But it might have been unrealistic of me to think I’d finish it when I thought I could.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Casual Classic with a Bohemian Twist.

32. What kept you sane?
My husband, absolutely. Also occasionally admitting to the universe that I needed help.

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

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
C’mon folks, it was an election year. The presidential race consumed me!

35. Who did you miss?
I missed my family more than I ever thought I would. Also, I missed Alice but then again we’re used to being friends across the miles.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
I’d have to say my entire Beginner’s Piece dance group. Great ladies!

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
Learning to say “To Hell With It!” to myself when I start to worry, as well as recognizing that sometimes I need help and can’t do everything by myself.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
“I know I’ve got to be right now, cause’ I can’t get much wronger”

39. What are you looking forward to in 2009?
Becoming even better at relaxing and enjoying my life and all the blessings in it. I’m also really excited to be teaching intermediate club practice because I think I might really enjoy teaching something I’m passionate about. On a career level: I’m excited for Andy, as he’s likely graduating this spring, and hopefully by the end of 2009 I’ll be on my way to defending as well. I’m excited to see the end of graduate school and the beginning of our lives out of it!