Monday, December 31, 2007

Year-end summary

Originally I was going to write my own creative year-end summary, and then I saw the meme that Sundry posted, and I thought, Oh! Duh. This one is a good one that gets at everything I wanted to talk about in my own post, and probably in a more succinct and organized fashion. So, screw creativity. My only complaint is that hers had two question marks on the end of each question, which bothered me, so I deleted the doubles.

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
Started a blog. Became obsessed with American Idol. Started Weight Watchers (and lost fifty pounds). Lived with a significant other. Got engaged. Quit a job. Dealt with in-laws. Got my own Christmas tree.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I didn't make any last year, and I won't make any this year, other than my general conviction that I must stick with Weight Watchers and the healthier lifestyle that I've adopted along with it.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Not anyone that I know in person.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Does a dog count? If not, then no.

5. What countries did you visit?
France and Germany.

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
A housekeeper. A real-life meeting with a few bloggy friends, particularly this lady. A house (or condo) that we own.

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
July 28 is the day that Torsten and I got engaged. No one other date particularly stands out.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Professionally, getting myself into a job where I actually do what I really enjoy and don't have to do any admin work. Personally, allowing my relationship to develop into the deepest, most fulfilling relationship I could ever have hoped to have.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Allowing a lot of personal stress to really get to me and affect my equilibrium and even my blood pressure, which is very unlike me.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My Zipcar membership.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
In an effort not to be totally self-obsessed, I will forego using Torsten as my response to this question, and instead go with Molly Ivins, even though it wasn't her behaviour this year that particularly merited celebration. It's the fact that she died this year, and her behaviour over the course of her life absolutely merits celebration.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
George W. Bush. As always.

14. Where did most of your money go?
"Most" of it didn't go to any one thing, but the biggest single expense of the year was definitely the rent.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Being engaged! I am excessively excited about 2008 being the year that we get married.

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?
"Hallelujah" by Rufus Wainwright.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
 a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
Happier, thinner, and richer. The trifecta!

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Writing letters.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Stressing out. Eating at restaurants in the first few months of the year.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
The morning was spent flying from Miami to North Carolina, and the afternoon and evening were spent with my fiancé, parents, sister, and family friends at my parents' house, exchanging gifts and eating good food.

21. Did you fall in love in 2007?
Yes and no. Really I fell in love when I met Torsten in October 2006, but I didn't realize it until February of this year.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
American Idol. Also, House.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No, not really. I obstinately took against a few people this year on behalf of friends who'd been wronged, but I don't really hate anyone.

24. What was the best book you read?
I read a lot of good books this year. I would say The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon is definitely way up there.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Pink. Snow Patrol. Rihanna. Wow, I'm mainstream.

26. What did you want and get?
I didn't know I wanted this a year ago, but an engagement ring.

27. What did you want and not get?
Nothing that I can think of. God, I'm lucky.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
They didn't come out this year, but I saw for the first time and liked Jesus Camp; Good Night, and Good Luck; and Flyboys.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I went to work, where I received flowers from Torsten, was taken out to lunch by coworkers, and got to leave early. Then I went with Torsten to a really fancy French restaurant that I had been dying to try. I turned 23.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Nothing. It was greatly satisfying exactly as it was.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
I realize I should be snorting derisively at this, but I actually am not. Having shrunk out of my wardrobe, I had to think long and hard about what clothes were worth investing in. My "concept" ended up being nice textures (especially for skirts) and pretty colours. Also, as always I adore my Old Navy and Levi's jeans as well as my Reef flip-flops and my wonderful, perfect Duo boots.

32. What kept you sane?
Torsten.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I guess I'll have to stick with the only celebrity I ever "fancy," Alan Rickman.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
The issue of our president making the wrong decision at every possible opportunity.

35. Who did you miss?
Lots of people. My French host family. My Senegalese friends. My best friend who was off in Nicaragua on a Fulbright all year. Various other far-away friends and family members.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
I'm going to say my boss, because I am so lucky to have such a sane and wonderful one.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
Go with your instinct, within reason.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
No. I refuse. The end. Happy New Year, everyone!

23 comments:

  1. Sounds like a great year! May the next one be also.

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  2. happy new year jess!

    and #13 made me laugh- so true!

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  3. oooh i liked this one too! i have a draft saved with it half filled out right now. except it didnt show up with 2 ?s for me... weird.

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  4. I love that you hit the *Trifecta* - you deserve it - you rock! Sounds like a great year - imagine what 2009 will bring!

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  5. What a year! You've certainly been busy, fantastic! ;)

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  6. This was very cute... but I laughed for reals at the last one. I like that you refused to answer your survey. :)

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  7. I HATE that two question marks at the end of the question bit. One is enough! Anf I'm excited for you and your 'trifecta' of success! I'm sure your 2008 wedding (side note: good year for a wedding) will be gorgeous. :)

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  8. Sounds like it has been a great year for you! Thanks for the survey and I'm glad you liked my blog :).

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  9. I also meant to tell you that I loved Shadow of the Wind, too. What an amazing book. I am always looking for new books/authors, I am a voracious reader, so if you have any recommendations I would love to hear them.

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  10. This was really fun to read. Sounds like you had an exciting year, with more ahead in 2008!

    Also, I wish I had learned to really go with my instinct at a younger age. That is a great life lesson!

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  11. Congrats on so much wieght loss in 07! Nice work.

    Happy New Years!!

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  12. LOVE Rufus Wainwright's Hallelujah. LOVE.

    You had a great year kid. Congrats.

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  13. I loved this! Happy new year, lovely.

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  14. I also want to meet you too! And I LOVED The Shadow of the Wind - SO GOOD!

    Cheers to 2008!

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  15. Damnit! I need to get that trifecta next year too....
    Its been fun getting to know you(in the bloggy way) and am looking forward to reading more in the new year!
    Happy New Year!

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  16. Happy New Year. First time on your blog, nice knowing you. If George W bush's behavior makes you sad, we can share our peeves :).
    Anyway sounds like a wonderful year, hope 2008 is a better one.

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  17. I'm right with you on the Bush thing. FUCK HIM and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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  18. Just want to say- you really do inspire me. 50lbs!?! Wow! Keep it up!

    annnd I'm totally stealing this survey! :) Happy New Year!

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  19. Love the list! I've been working on the same one for days now. I fully intend on finishing some day!

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  20. i like this twist on the year end summary - makes it all quite concise...hahaha.

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  21. I am appalled by W's behavior, too. Again. Sigh.

    Happy New Year, Jess!

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