End of the Year, Onto the Next One

I know! Again! But I thought I would do this survey, which I did last year and the year before, and if nothing else, I like the continuity and opportunity to go back and read the old answers.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Had a baby! Started law school! Totaled a car! I think that’s three pretty big ones, not to mention all the small ones that go with that first one (learned to breastfeed! bought 8 billion baby clothes! slept with a tiny person in my bed!).

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Obviously, I had to go back and check what my New Year’s resolutions were, and then discovered that I failed at them, epic-style. I did not update my blog 15-20 times (!) per month, nor did I start a legitimate exercise routine at 4-5 months pregnant. Surprisingly.

This year, I am trying to aim smaller and in more manageable chunks. First, I am going to spend the month of January trying not to spend money superfluously, since I’m on the verge of an internet shopping addiction (not really, but I buy too much stuff) and our house is too small and the clutter is getting to me. Also, both B and I have been trying to eat better, so any motivation not to go out to dinner all the time is helpful. Second, I am going to figure out a way to work out somewhere. I have my form to work out at Macalester, and I can go to that facility on the way home from the bus, so we might be able to work something out next semester. Both B and I are going to go crazy if we don’t get more exercise, so it’s going to have to be a priority. And third, the major life goal – make it through semester #2 of law school.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Am I close to me? Because, if that’s the case, YES. Our friends Meg and Pete also had a baby.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, but B’s grandma died a few days ago, and he went to the funeral in Green Bay on Saturday. I think he’s doing okay, but it’s made for a weird Christmas.

5. What countries did you visit?
None. I don’t get out much.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Honestly? Not much. Maybe to get rid of the little credit card debt we have left. I would like to get a good summer job, since the Herbergers does not count as a good one and it was the one I had in 2008.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 13: The day K was born. Really, that’s the big one. We went into the hospital on May 11, which was Mother’s day.
We celebrate her monthly birthdays, which seem to have surpassed the celebration of monthly wedding anniversaries.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I think having a baby and starting law school pretty much do it.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Probably that I lost almost all of the weight I gained with K only to gain some of it back. Also, my house is a total disaster area.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Since pregnancy is not an illness or an injury, no. I only even had one cold.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
We got a new, very pretty blue Camry because of the one that got totaled. Other than that I think I bought mostly baby clothes.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
I think this is what I always say, but B is a fucking saint (and I use the swear word because I think he would prefer it). I think the finals period of law school was worse for him than it was for me, and he spends all day with K while having a job and coaching high school debate. He writes blocks on his iPhone, for god’s sake. What I’m saying is, he’s pretty much saving my butt at the moment.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
No one, really. I’m sure there are people doing bad things, but I generally ignore them.

14. Where did most of your money go?
To K, probably. Having a baby is expensive, and we have pretty good insurance.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I get pretty excited about everything, but the usual suspects – the baby! and the law school! and my birthday! and going out to dinner!

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Probably the Joshua Radin song that Karly introduced me to. I don’t listen to much music at the moment and I’d prefer that “I kissed a girl” not be the only song I can remember, but there you have it.

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

a) happier. My life is pretty much awesome, if insanely busy.
b) thinner, but just barely. And I was four months pregnant, so that’s saying something.
c) Probably about the same, but I’ve gained some law school debt, so maybe a little poorer overall?

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Sleeping, maybe, but I wouldn’t give up those 4 am feedings with Kiernan watching the West Wing for anything.

Depending on my grades, studying?

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Spending ridiculous time on the internet without getting anything accomplished. It is really hard to not feel like a bum when you can look and read things but not type.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
Having three of them, as per usual. We did Christmas eve at B’s dad’s house and then with my parents, Christmas morning with my parents, and then had the afternoon with B’s mom. We also did our Christmas with B and I after midnight in between the 24th and 25th while K was asleep, and she opened her gifts from us throughout the day on both days, since she doesn’t really get it yet.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Oh man, do I love my baby.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
I don’t watch much new TV anymore, so it’s still the West Wing.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Probably not. Not that I can think of, anyways.

24. What was the best book you read?
This year, I read law books, romance novels, and baby and children’s books. None of them really get the “best” designation.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Probably Joshua Radin, and I still haven’t even listened to the whole album.

26. What did you want and get?
My pretty baby girl, and to go to school. Those are pretty big ones.

27. What did you want and not get?
I can’t think of anything all that important. Enough sleep, certainly, but we’ve discussed that. A definitive Franken victory?

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Is it bad that I don’t remember watching any movies at all the whole year? I remember that I liked watching Baby Mama while I was pregnant.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 28, and I think we went out to dinner, but I’m not really all that sure, and that is a first for me. My memory is just totally shot at this point.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Having any way of knowing how well I did on my finals would have been nice.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Yoga pants and tank tops, probably. I bought nice clothes for law school, and I wear a lot of cardigans, but I definitely prefer the yoga pants.

32. What kept you sane?
B, as per above.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
None, really.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Always with the abortion/reproductive justice on this end.

35. Who did you miss?
No one, and everyone. I am terrible and keeping track of friendships, and I need to do it better.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
I’ve liked a ton of people at law school. K’s the best new person, though. Hands down.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Babies are awesome and debate rules and I like being busy and working but sometimes it is hard on those around me.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
“moon pours through the ceiling tonight
embraces us tight
shows me we’re right for each other
and as we lie here and let the world fade away
the sunrise tries to end it while we try to stay
the rest of my life can’t compare to this night
and only the heartaches have given me sight,
they bring me to you” – “They Bring me to you”

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