I read once (I wish I remember where) that as you get older, the highs and lows become less and less dramatic – age, in effect, is like lithium.
This has not been the case for me. This past year has been a flipping rollercoaster. While I am exceptionally fortunate in so many ways, life has not been without difficulties, especially this past year.
This survey by Rachel is a great way to capture my 2010:
1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
Got married. Performed standup comedy. Went to Greece. Got laid off from a job. Patched drywall. Got ordained and wrote and performed a wedding ceremony that made people cry.
2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I had a 30 Before 30 list. I didn't manage to achieve all of my goals, but I accomplished some of them. I have different ideas for next year.
3. What countries did you visit?
USA, Greece (during the riots), and London, UK (for one rainy, somewhat dreary night)
4. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
More hours in the day? Better organization skills?
I don’t think I lacked anything in 2010. I’d like to do a lot of things differently in life, but I feel like I’m really lucky overall. We’re moving into a house in 2011, so I’d like that to go well. I’d like to find good renters for the condo, and I’d like for the condo market in Austin to improve enough for us to be able to sell the condo.
Abe is starting the police academy, so I hope that goes well and that he stays safe. I’d like to start my own business someday – if inspiration strikes in 2011, I’ll be extremely pleased.
I’d like to have a baby, but Abe isn’t quite ready for that.
5. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory?
March 26th – our wedding.
Runners up:
March 29th – my first standup comedy performance
May 4th – watching the news in our hotel room in Athens and realizing that people had died in riots just a few blocks from our hotel.
June 14th – I got laid off from my job.
October 30th – I performed the wedding ceremony for two of my friends.
6. What was your biggest achievement of the year??
I faced some of my biggest fears – commitment, public speaking, job loss – and I think I came through stronger on the other side.
7. What was your biggest failure?
I failed to complete my half marathon training, and I haven’t stayed active at all in the past few months. I have not focused on my health.
8. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had some knee problems that started after I became inactive.
9. What was the best thing you bought?
Abe replaced his unreliable gass-guzzling F150 with a slightly less gass-guzzling (and much less polluting) small SUV. Eventually I’ll get him into a hybrid or electric car.
For myself, I bought several pieces of (inexpensive) mother-of-pearl jewelry that I wear almost every day.
10. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Abe. He’s really more wonderful than I deserve. My friends and family – they are also more wonderful and supportive than I deserve.
11. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I don’t know about “appalled,” but I was absolutely terrified after the riots in Athens. I just wanted to go home, honeymoon be damned. Police, government officials, taxi drivers – everyone seemed to be on edge and ANGRY. But the kind and wonderful people we met eventually outweighed the scary and stressed out people.
12. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I get really, really, really excited about a lot of things. Our wedding was amazingly fun. Performing standup was a blast. Searching for jobs ended up being an experience that taught me a lot about myself.
Small things make me really excited too: my niece started walking, jumping, dancing, talking. I’ve become one of her favorite people, and I absolutely adore spending time with her. I loved making handmade Christmas and birthday gifts this year.
I’m excited about moving, but I don’t know if I’d say I’m “really, really, really” excited about it.
13. What song will always remind you of 2010?
Two songs will always remind me of our wedding – “Question” by the Old 97’s (we practiced the dance so flipping much) and “Tonight’s Gonna Be a Good Night” by the Black Eyed Peas. They’re not 2010 songs, but they’ll always remind me of the wedding.
As far as the song that will always remind me of 2010? Probably “F—K you” by Cee Lo Green.
14. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?
Happier. (I think I said that last year too. High five for happy stretches!)
15. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Laughing. Dancing. Forgiving people right away. Writing. Smiling. Singing silly songs. Making gifts. Drawing. Cooking. Exercising. Traveling. Calling my parents just to tell them I love them.
16. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worrying. Biting my nails. Procrastinating.
17. How will you be spending Christmas?
Spent it with family (and painting the new house).
18. Did you fall in love in 2010?
I fell in love all over again with Abe, my family, my niece and nephew, my friends, my fellow bloggers. I am surrounded by some of the most wonderful people in the world.
19. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hmmm… Hate is a pretty strong word. I’m not overly fond of a few people, but active hatred takes an awful lot of energy. I’m pretty lazy, so hatred is mostly a flash-in-the-pan sort of emotion for me.
20. What was the best book you read?
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.
21. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I discovered an entire new genre (funk/soul) that makes me feel (ooooooh!) so brand new.
22. What did you want and get?
Married! A new job. A sewing machine. GPS for my car.
23. What did you want and not get?
A new career.
24. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 30. I thought it would be a Big Deal, but my coworkers forgot, my friends were all out of town, and Abe and my family used up all of their inspiration on Christmas gifts.
Not having a big celebration was actually kind of awesome. In my head, turning 30 was this Dramatic Event, but it turned out to be no big deal. The world carried on spinning. Who knew?
25. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I was going to say winning the lottery, but honestly, I’m not sure I could handle another stressful event this year.
So… nothing? Wow.
26. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
I wore cute dresses just about every day this summer (it’s too hot for pants!). My new boss even asked if I wore dresses for religious reasons.
Then it became winter and I got cold and lazy and started wearing what my sister called “fat lady clothes.” Whatever.
27. What kept you sane?
Friends, family, Netflix, Reddit, Google Reader.
28. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Hmmm… Oddly I think I tended to fancy manlier men than I’ve ever liked before. Matt Damon (LOVE HIM IN COMEDY XOXO)… David Boreanaz (dirty cheater that he is).
29. Who was the best new person you met?
Frank, Sam, Karen and the rest of the people I met doing comedy are awesome. The new peeps at my new job were pretty cool for the most part. I met a few new interesting people traveling, but no one I kept in touch with.
30. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010?
Life’s not about what you accomplish. It’s about how you get there, and who holds your hand (or your hair back) along the way.
1 comment:
cute questionnaire! I might have to steal it! :)
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