2009 in perspective

1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
I started taking Tae Kwon Do classes.

2. What's your most memorable moment in your year?
Looking at glaciers. It's one thing to see it on tv. It's a whole new thing to see ice in the water, especially if you're used to sunny days most of the year.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
One of my best friends had a baby boy - my godson. Aaaaw.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No

5. What states did you visit?
Alaska. Woot!

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
I can't really say that we lacked this year. Sure, my husband was laid off for a couple months. Sure, money is tight, but we have our health and our family. Oh, that reminds me. If I could, I'd like to request NO vertigo episodes this year. Now THAT would be awesome.

7. What moments from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
On a positive note, spending 10 days on a luxurious cruise with my family has to be one of the best memories! From those 10 days came lots of wonderful moments: seeing the Mendenhall Glacier, celebrating my mom's 60th birthday, and ziplining in the rain.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Hmmm...how do you measure achievement? Nothing really stands out - just that I try to live each day as though as it's my last. Some days I didn't do such a great job, but overall, I think I did well.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Losing my temper. I've had it under control for several years, but I lost it once this year...really badly.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Sure. Sadly, I had two vertigo episodes and then learned I suffer from sleep apnea. This, of course, explained why I was so exhausted all the time.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
A cruise vacation. Oh, you mean...an object? Lemme get back to you.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My daughter. After hearing how she isn't good at sports (from her) and saying, "Nah. I don't like it," she stepped out of her comfort zone, signed up for volleyball and, if I do say so myself, got to be a pretty darn good player, going for the ball and bumping it. Not only that, but she also decided to try her hand at basketball!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
No comment. Why drudge up the negative again?

14. Where did most of your money go?
Hands down - bills. Like anyone else, the economy is kicking our butts.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Ziplining with Ken

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
:shrug: None. I don't remember songs for each year very well.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) Happier or sadder? Happier
b) Thinner or fatter? Fatter
c) Richer or poorer? Poorer

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Sleeping that included REM sleep. HA.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Wasting time online.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
With family

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
I have been fortunate enough to still be in love...after 18 years, that's a big deal. Then again, maybe it's more of a big deal that HE is still in love with me after all these years. HAHAHA. Maybe he needs a medal or a beer. HAHAHA.

22. How many one-night stands?
Please. That's a zero...haven't had one of those in.....um...ever in my whole life.

23. What were your favorite TV programs?
Survivor: Samoa, Cold Case, CSI: NY, Project Runway

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No. I don't hate people. It's not worth my energy. Annoyed? Well, I am human...but I'm working on trying to let it all go!

25. What was the best book you read this year?
Shanghai Sisters by Lisa See

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
:shrug:

27. What did you want and get?
Spend quality time with the family. The downside of my husband getting laid off was obviously financial issues, but the upside is that we got to spend a lot of time together as a family for a couple months. :)

28. What did you want and not get?
Thinner...but clearly that is because I spent too much time baking blondies, building gingerbread houses, and eating them all. HAHA.

29. What was your favorite film of this year?
I really liked The Proposal and The Blind Side. Yes, I'm a Sandra Bullock fan.

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Turned 39...and was coming back from the cruise. Basically, I spent my birthday week being pampered and eating lots of food. Oh, that could be another reason for #28. Ha!

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Can't think of anything really...I try to look on the positive side of things and I think, overall, it's been a great year.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Lazy...casual...comfortable. Yoga pants are my best friend, even though I don't do yoga. HAHAHAHAHA

33. What kept you sane?
My kids...though they also drive me crazy. Go figure.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Honestly, I haven't been that "up" with celebrities. I pretty much Tivo my programs and ignore the hoopla.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Clearly it's the CA budget crisis. It's affecting my workplace, my students, and my personal budget.

36. Who did you miss?
I missed my father-in-law. I spent a good deal of time with my mother-in-law the past year, taking her on errands and visiting. And while I enjoy spending time with her, being at her house makes me miss him even more. I miss his typing on the keyboard; hearing his stories about "the wife," as he lovingly called her; and his laughter when he found something funny, either on TV or while hanging out with the grandkids.

37. Who was the best new person you met?
YOU! haha.

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:
Sometimes it's best to just go to the doctor to find out what the problem is, rather than thinking it's just nothing.

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
What is with this whole song/music thing. I suck at this.

40. Do you think 2010 will be a better year for you?
Why wouldn't it be?