1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
I started learning to play the piano. I took up running and ran a 5k on Thanksgiving. I got into photography and upgraded from my (beloved!) pink Canon Powershot to a Nikon D3100, so fancy it has its own Dummies book, clearly written with me in mind. I had my kitchen ripped apart and redone. I road tripped to Baltimore for baseball games. I visited Seattle (also for baseball!).
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Um, I don’t think I made any. So, for next year: Run a 10k. Continue learning piano. Learn more about photography. Pay off credit card. Read more. Write more. Lose about, oh, 50 pounds.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, a friend who had tried for a very long time, which made it all the more celebratory. At her shower her sister gave her a onesie that said “worth the wait” and there wasn’t a dry eye in the place.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thankfully. But a friend of mine lost a friend very unexpectedly and very young, which really makes you think about how short life is and how much we focus on stupid crap that doesn’t matter.
5. What countries did you visit?
Just this one.
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
A little more motivation, which I’ll probably say every time I answer this question. But I did much better with the motivation in 2010 than in past years.
7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
June 17th, when I realized I was in love.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Training for and completing the 5k. It’s hard to explain what it’s like to get into running when running has always been The Thing You Said You Couldn’t Do. I’d encourage anyone who thinks they might like it to try it. It’s the most challenging and rewarding workout I’ve ever done, and you see improvement from week to week, which is really encouraging.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Letting an ongoing dysfunctional relationship with a family member continue to be, well, dysfunctional. I feel truly stymied by my love and devotion to them, contrasted with their inability to release me from their judgment and criticism. I just hope it doesn’t come to a breaking point and I try to keep it good.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Some hip stress from running, resulting in the chiropractor’s advice to use the elliptical for now until I’m all fixed up. But I’ll be back. (Oh, also? HIP STRESS. I AM 90.)
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My iPhone. Best and worst!
12. Where did most of your money go?
Bills.
13. What did you get really excited about?
I was really happy to reconnect with Carly.
14. What song will always remind you of 2010?
Love The Way You Lie. It’s a good song, although the ridiculous line “now you get to watch her leave out the window, guess that’s why they call it windowpane” always annoys me.
15. Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder? Happier.
Thinner or fatter? A little thinner.
Richer or poorer? Probably about the same. Must save more!
16. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Traveled. Written. Read. Exercised.
17. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Stress. Second guess myself.
18. How did you spend Christmas?
With my family.
19. What was your favorite TV program?
I was trapped in the epic ending of Lost for a good portion of the year.
20. What were your favorite books of the year?
Gah, I barely read ANYTHING. Sad. I’m trying to turn that tide, because I love reading, I just got so caught up in all the new techy devices in my life this year.
21. What was your favorite music from this year?
I found Feist, Ingrid Michaelson and Jaymay on a friend’s recommendation. Love The Darkest Night of the Year by Over the Rhine. Wore out the Wicked soundtrack and worshipped at the altar of Idina Menzel. And I like Kanye West’s new album.
22. What were your favorite films of the year?
It’s a short list, because I hardly ever go to the movies unless there’s something I’m dying to see. My favorite movie that I saw this year was probably New York, I Love You, though that came out last year. Is there a special worst movie category for Sex and the City 2? Shame on you, ladies.
23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
The night before, had a crazy night at the Skellig with friends. The actual night, went to see Wicked and had an unbelievable dinner at Mooo with my parents and Mike. I turned 33.
24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I don’t know. It was pretty satisfying, as far as years go.
25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Um, jeans.
26. What kept you sane?
My friends. My coworkers. Wine?
27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
Life is so very short. Be happy. Be around people who make you happy. Do work that makes you happy (for the most part). Be grateful for how lucky you are. Start more sentences with “be.”
Me too <3