I’ve seen this meme pop up a few times, and I think I even did it myself in a past year or two, but it seems a good way to pay a final homage to 2008, before really leaping face-first into 2009.
1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Got married (I’m only planning on using that one one, so it’ll probably make a few appearances in this list).
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
From the blog last year:
In between all those [trips] I also want to make sure I manage to balance the crazy with time to both visit and entertain friends and family near and far, keep running and not lose time I’ve worked hard to find for things like playing the piano, learning how to make beautiful photos and just lazing about with a good book or two.
[Also] starting now, I’m going to take the step of engaging more with readers by replying to all comments, and try to drag some additional content out of myself to keep to a 3-4 post/week schedule.
Uh, yeah. I’ve certainly visited and entertained. But I’ve absolutely lost the running mojo, still only play the piano sporadically and don’t take many pictures. I do read more now, but that’s more thanks to a change in our house TV setup.
As for blogging? Hah! I think I’ve blogged slightly more, and respond to more comments than in 2007. I”m pretty comfortable with where the blog sits at the moment for content and effort, and I’m very much in a “go with the flow” place with it at the moment.
Resolutions for 2009? To live more in the moment. At work I’m usually working on things that are happening 6-12 months out, and Neil and I are great at setting and making long-term goals and plans. But I think the aforementioned, combined with my natural impatience, leave me missing out on a lot of “today” as I rush headlong into “tomorrow.” For 2009 I’m going to try to remind myself to be a bit more present in the now.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Friends Laura and Jeremy welcomed baby Owen into the world. That’s two years in a row of friends with babies. I’m still waiting to see who’ll step up for 2009’s new human. It won’t be us, that’s for sure!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully no, but there was that one guy from High School, and the only reason I knew about it was Facebook.
5. What countries did you visit?
The USA (times a million), Spain & Morocco.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Patience.
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
March 29. Our wedding day, duh.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Cooking so much more. I probably learned more about food and cooking this year than all previous years combined. And it’s been so, so much fun.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Pastry.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
There was the cross-continental food-poisoning incident (note: don’t eat the snails). But other than that, it’s been all good.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
A condo!
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Neil’s. For dealing with Bridezilla (read: me). Also, my parents, who still give me a hard time, but are surprising me more often than not these days with exactly what cool people they are.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
On occasions, my own. Other than that, who am I to judge what other people do and their motivations for it?
14. Where did most of your money go?
The wedding. The condo.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The wedding. The condo.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
The Best is Yet to Come – Frank Sinatra (our wedding song, and the theme we’ve adopted for life in general).
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Just as happy, but much less stressed.
b) thinner or fatter? About the same, although this year gravity seems to have taken hold. I am not amused.
c) richer or poorer? Richer, in so many ways.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Living in the moment.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Fretting.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Hosting my family and inlaws for a big Christmas dinner!
21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
I fall in love all over again all the time. I’ll get worried if/when that stops.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
Boston Legal. I’m awfully sad it’s gone. I’ll miss you, Alan Shore!
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Of course not. Hate is a waste of time.
24. What was the best book you read?
Lamb: The Gospel According to Bif, Christ’s Childhood Pal – Christopher Moore. If I ever read anything better, I’ll be surprised.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
That the Presidents of the United States of America still exist and are still making music. It’s purely silly and joyful. And the world can always use more of that.
26. What did you want and get?
A great home, a great wedding, a great husband. Everything else seems a bit trivial.
27. What did you want and not get?
An iMac. But seriously, can that even compare to anything in #26? Mac’s are good, but even they have their limit.
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
I’m so bad at watching movies. The last thing I saw that I remember really enjoying was Burn After Reading.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 28 in 2008, and spent it at a lakeside cabin with friends.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Having a magic money fairy swoop in and pay off all our debt. Which will be our goal for 2009. But I think that will be immeasurably more satisfying again by achieving that particular milestone by ourselves (still, if the money fairy wants to show up, I won’t say no).
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic. The End. (It is sad, I still need help, and also that money fairy.)
32. What kept you sane?
Wine.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I don’t tend to lust after celebrities. But after seeing Brad Pitt in Benjamin Button… wow. Now I remember what the fuss was all about over him.
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
The Canadian Election.
35. Who did you miss?
My mind. Please tell me if you’ve seen her!
36. Who was the best new person you met?
I’ve met so many lovely people this year, online and off, I can’t pick just one. And I won’t name any for fear of leaving anyone out.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Live as if you’re wildly successful, and owe a great debt to the world and everyone in it for being so.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
“The best is yet to come, and babe won’t that be fine!”
