I decided last year to make this end-of-year meme an annual tradition. I have seen this meme many places, but docheck out Bleeding Espresso’s!
1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before? Looking back, it seems like it was mostly food and health related things, like seek naturopathic as well as conventional medical care, give up dairy and caffeine completely, along with a host of other things for fairly long periods of time (ie gluten for several months, meat for a couple of months) and generally go on a very restricted diet for several months to isolate food allergies (I am slowly reintroducing foods to test my tolerance). Outside of that realm, new things include: blog more than once a day several days and weeks in a row; set up my own domain name and get more responsibilities at my day job which, while I rarely mention it on my blog, provides me with lots of growth.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I had three themes this year rather than resolutions: “let go of guilt,” “be in the moment,” and “have fun”. I had also wanted to lose weight and generally get myself in better health after all the sinus and various other problems I had had in the past. This year, I will also go with themes and inspirations rather than actual resolutions.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Yes, several friends.
4. Did anyone close to you die? Thankfully, no.
5. What countries did you visit? Just the U.S., but more travel is in store for 2010.
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?More time with family and friends. Apartment space for guests (oddly, Idon’t mind our 500 square feet for the two of us, but it does not allowfor extended visits from people – I wish I had a pop-up guest room forwhen people wanted to come visit). Non-stressful travel.
7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Inauguration Day.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Working through some health issues and losing 40 pounds (I had lost about 20 pounds in the latter part of 2008). The health issues are still ongoing, but overall I feel much better.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Working through some health issues and losing 40 pounds (I had lost about 20 pounds in the latter part of 2008). The health issues are still ongoing, but overall I feel much better.
9. What was your biggest failure? Not enough time with friends and family.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Yes, but overall I finish the year feeling better, so that’s the important part.
11. What was the best thing you bought? Both my food processor and mini-prep (I do enough cooking to justify both) died after a combined 10 years of service, so I replaced them, and I love them! Other purchases I enjoyed were more experiences than things, like yoga workshops.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My incredibly supportive friends and family.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Don’t get me started.
14. Where did most of your money go? Bills and food and health.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?Even though husband and I have lived in the same city for 15 months, I still get so excited when I compare our lives now to when we were split between two cities.
16. What song will always remind you of 2009? Beyonce’s Single Ladies.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer? Happier, thinner and about the same.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Spend more time with people, gone to the gym more and done more yoga (though I did a lot more yoga in 2009 than 2008, so that was an improvement).
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?I wish I had stressed out less aboutthings.
20. How did you spend Christmas? With my husband, relaxing and cooking and exchanging presents.
21. Did you fall in love in 2009? I keep refalling in love with husband.
22. What was your favorite TV program? Glee really made me happy, as did Mad Men.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Not really.
24. What was the best book you read? Too Big To Fail.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery? Christmas music. I seem to have really gotten into it this year for the first time.
26. What did you want and get? Increased energy.
27. What did you want and not get? A visit with my family, though that is coming in early 2010.
28. What was your favorite film of this year? I only saw a handful in theaters, but I loved An Education and Julie and Julia.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 31 and had a quiet day as husband had the flu and I had to work – I did get a mani-pedi and we went out for some lovely vegan Ethiopian food.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Not getting sick.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009? Same as last year, lots of black suits during the week, comfy bamboo clothes on the weekends, and ballet flats. I am hoping to branch out more in 2010.
32. What kept you sane? Some combination of time with loved ones, long walks, yoga, blogging, and cooking.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? I just don’ t get into celebrities.
34. What political issue stirred you the most? Food safety and food supply issues.
35. Who did you miss? As much as they drive me crazy, my parents.
36. Who was the best new person you met? All my new bloggy friends have been truly amazing.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009. Things really do sometimes work out.
General Disclosures & Disclaimers
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
This is great. Just a great way to reflect and organize ideas for 2010
Sounds like you had a great year! I hope the trend continues for 2010!