Not to interrupt the #reverb10 trend, but I’ve done this survey forever and ever, and I really enjoy it. I’m using the slightly modified version that Linda posted this year, except where I modified it back, and my past years are here: 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006.
1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
Finished 5 semesters of law school, and got 15 credits away from graduation. Lived 8 weeks by myself in a rented room in DC, with far too little time with my family but the opportunity to see every art and history museum and catch up on 3 years of lost sleep. Wrote a report to be submitted to a major agency about a pressing environmental problem. Tried for (and lost epically) several leadership and career positions that I never would have applied for in a past world. Hired a nanny for K, who is spectacular and really helps with time allocation. Took on one to many jobs and got more overwhelmed than I’ve ever been.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I read my resolutions from last year, and they’re the same things I (and probably lots of other folks) struggle with every year: money, health, parenting. I’m still working on those things. My first priority, however, is to get my food consumption in order. I’m doing this and this, and we’ll see. One of my biggest goals in the process is to be more mindful of why I’m eating and what it’s for.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
We had a friend who had a beautiful baby Cora, whom I bought an awesome Christmas present for, so I’d like to see her soon. A couple of law school friends had babies as well, and it’s nice to not be the only one anymore.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
I don’t think so.
5. What countries did you visit?
None. I went to DC and its surrounding area, and we’re going to Hawaii in 6 days, which is as close as I’m going to get to leaving the country for awhile.
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
A post-law school job. A clean house. A sense of balance and that I’m doing the best I can with baby, home, job, etc.
7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I think most of them are routine: May 13, when K turned two, June 22, when I started work in DC, August 16, when I flew home, August 30, when I turned 30, September 30, when B turned 31. December 25 and Christmas with babygirl have been spectacular as well.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Surviving a job that I liked in a town far away from my family, and going outside my comfort zone to take it as a career move even though it sucked to be away from K for 8 weeks. Keeping all of the balls in the air for my life most of the time.
9. What was your biggest failure?
God, in a lot of ways, 2010 feels like it was just a huge, gigantic failure. Just one setback or hard thing after another. I’m a pretty cheerful person, and I’ve losing the ability to be cheerful or optimistic about this. I think a lot of it is that law school is a marathon and not a sprint, so it’s just a lot of things over a long period of time and you can’t possibly achieve all of them. But this has been a year where I’ve failed at more things than I even thought it was possible to try for, and that’s saying a lot. And more than me personally failing so many other things have failed — debate at Macalester, among other things. This year has been SO complicated and so hard. I am so looking forward to 2011, even though part of me thinks there’s a uniqueness problem and it can’t get worse, but other parts know that it can, and I’m worried about a sense of foreboding.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No, I’m generally pretty healthy.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
We got a new couch, which I like. We got K a big girl bed, which is nice. Right now my frame of mind exists in trying to get rid of things, but I know we have nice stuff.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Family as always, and little miss chatterbox, my baby girl who is just a joy to be around. This morning she turned around to me and said, “Hi Mama! You’re my family.” Which yes, baby, I am.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled or depressed?
Everyone at Macalester who actively sabotaged the policy debate program there. Most politicians, who are driving me batty.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Well, the money that I haven’t made yet that is going to the law school in the form of loans I will have to repay is the clear winner. Other than that, just bills and my Gymboree shopping addiction.
15. What did you get really excited about?
I think the biggest thing is my birthday trip, wherein B got me a vacation in honor or turning 30, and we are going to Hawaii in 6 days. I know the event technically isn’t in 2010, but the excitement was. The other thing has to be showing Kiernan DC and the ability to see Frank Stella Paintings whenever I wanted.
16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
Probably any of a few from the Glee soundtrack, since that’s all I listen to these days.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
– happier or sadder? Sadder. So many things are changing or will change soon.
– thinner or fatter? Fatter, I think, but I’ve been pretty steady for awhile.
– richer or poorer? I can’t really tell anymore. I know we have about the same money coming in, maybe a little more, but loans and debt make it hard to know precisely.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Yoga. Sleeping. Not failing. Going to the arboretum with Kiernan. Planning elaborate day trips, which we always enjoy but take some work.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Yelling. Worrying about opportunities that never happened. Wasting time instead of doing something I enjoyed in the name of having too much work to do.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
We did holidays a little differently this year — B*’s dad had surgery in December this year, so he couldn’t do a formal Christmas. Thus we spent all of Thanksgiving at their house and then had Christmas eve with my parents and Christmas day with B’s mom, followed by a trip to my parents again for Christmas day dinner. We did Christmas morning here, and K LOVED the whole Santa process. She had gifts and excitement and it worked out really well. Now I just have to figure out where to put all the new stuff.
21. What was your favorite TV program?
I like covers and musicals, so this answer is obvious: Glee. I also like Jeopardy and the West Wing, because I am 90.
22. What were your favorite books of the year?
I liked Half Baked, and started a series of law/history books over the summer that I never finished. I swear I will read fiction when law school ends.
23. What was your favorite music from this year?
Several Glee soundtracks, and the music K and I sing before bed. At the moment, it’s a four-song rotation that drives Baxter insane with its sadness: The Rainbow Connection (originally by Kermit the frog, right?), I’m Yours (by Jason Mraz, which K calls “Open Up and Do Like Me” by Jason MARAZA, which is adorable), You are my Sunshine (“The Sunshine Song”) and Sweet Baby James (“The Cowboy Song” and originally by James Taylor).
24. What were your favorite films of the year?
I watched nothing of any import and I don’t think I saw a movie in the theaters. I liked 27 dresses on Netflix, because I have terrible taste in movies.
25. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
On my actual birthday? I went to orientation training and worked. My 30th birthday celebration will largely take place next week in Hawaii.
26. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
There are more than usual this year, but having a functioning and funded Macalester policy debate team would do the most towards eliminating the gnawing feeling in my gut. I don’t think I’ll ever stop being angry at a school that i was DEVOTED to for betraying me like that.
27. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Work clothes and yoga pants? I’m pretty into those big sweaters this winter.
28. What kept you sane?
At this point I think its steam, the fact that it’s harder to change than keep doing the same thing, and the smell of my toddler’s head.
29. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
Sometimes just keeping going is a victory in and of itself. Never would’ve thought it before this one.
30. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
“If you wait for me then I’ll come for you
Although I’ve traveled far
I always hold a place for you in my heart
If you think of me If you miss me once in awhile
Then I’ll return to you
I’ll return and fill that space in your heart “
- Tracy Chapman
[...] year, though I think it’s slightly different from the one Linda posted. Past years are here: 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, [...]