“You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.”
–From Desiderata by Max Ermann
This sums up the last year perfectly. Things are exactly as they should be.
Just in time for the new year, a new time-consuming, tell-all meme Only 40 questions, but it requires a bit of thought so maybe all you “I don’t have anything to bloggers will get with it so I can read private intimate details of your life.
- What did you do in 2006 that you’d never done before?
- Quit a really good job that was driving me crazy to take a chance on another one.
- Lived alone
- Started a blog
- Something I’m not telling
- Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
All but one, improve my reading list, only read two of the 12 books I planned to read. Yes I’ll make more.
- Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not immediate family, but some really good friends who were trying for five years to get pregnant finally did. The baby is due in the spring.
- Did anyone close to you die?
My grandmother, and some friend’s relatives.
- What countries did you visit?
Stayed in the states this year.
- What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
o
-
-
- A roommate
- A job in the city I live in
- That special someone special
- What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory?
- What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Realizing I’m going to survive regardless of circumstances or not getting what I think I want. Realizing I have people who love me despite my imperfections.
- What was your biggest failure?
I don’t look at it as failure, failure only happens if you give up, I’m still trying.
- Did you suffer illness or injury?
Just some colds/allergies.
- What was the best thing you bought?
The purple couch.
- Whose behavior merited celebration?
My children continue to amaze me with their beauty, maturity and ability to love. Sara’s making the best of a long crazy summer and her ability to remain calm in the eye of the storm.
- Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Some people who were not what I thought they were.
- Where did most of your money go?
Food and shelter, clothes, gas, coffee and shoes.
- What did you get really, really, really excited about?
- Two very good canoe trips
- New friends and getting closer to old friends
- Singing and dancing
- A new job
- Gulf Wars
- Coffee
- Shoes
- The purple couch
- Love
- Blogging
- Gatlinburg
- Hiking
- What song/album will always remind you of 2006?
More than one:
- I Ain’t Saying She’s a Gold Digger
- o O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
- o It’s Raining Men
- o Somebody’s Knockin
- o Kiss Me Quick Before I Die
- o McArthur Park
- Compared to this time last year, are you:
1. happier or sadder? happier
2. thinner or fatter? thinner
3. richer or poorer? richer, in oh so many ways
- What do you wish you’d done more of?
- Cleaning house
- Talking to Jeremy
- Reading/writing
- Working out
-
What do you wish you’d done less of?
regretting/ sitting on my butt/ whining/eating chocolate/procrastinating
20. How will you be spending New Years? With friends.
21. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
Sara/Amber/Steve
22. Did you fall in love in 2006?
Yes
23. How many one night stands in this last year?
None, that’s not a phrase in my vocabulary.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
My Boys, Eureka, Men in Trees
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No, I’m not wasting energy on that emotion.
26. What was the best book(s) you read?
I actually liked the Penis book once I got into it. Also, Janet Evonavitch books and Jennifer Cruise books, of course Pride and Prejudice and The Master of All Desires, one of my Christmas books.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Pandora
28. What did you want and get?
The ability to see past the situation and love the person behind it. The ability to not worry about outcomes. (peace)
29. What did you want and not get?
o Another trip to Gatlinburg.
o Mr. I thought he was Right
o A specific job with a specific company who shall remain nameless.
30. What were your favorite films of this year?
I didn’t see many. Nothing specific stands out.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Nothing special was home alone due to the day it fell on. Didn’t have cake, it kind of didn’t happen this year. Had birthday dinner on another day and the dessert I wanted for birthday was not available. (really funny, you had to be there it was the dessert the place is known for) How old was I? Not sure, it varies, but the wisdom that comes with it was valuable.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I always hate the questions that make it seem like ONE thing could make that big a difference. The one thing would be a more intellectually satisfying job with better pay and a travel package.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
I’ve ceased caring what you think, I’ll dress to please me.
34. What kept you sane?
Coffee, friends and sisters who listen to me and don’t judge me when I’m having the whiny moments and the knowledge that nothing stays the same.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Fancy in the romantic sense? Matthew McConaughey
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Locally people not following rules already on books.
37. Who did you miss?
Jeremy, Isaac, Margie and some others who don’t live close
38. Who was the best new person you met?
I met a lot of new friends this year. I’m not naming favorites cause I’m happy with them all.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006.
Gee, not sure if it was a new life lesson. “Focus on the positive, give love, do the right thing no matter what it costs and joy will follow.”
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year?
Again: no one song can sum up an entire year.
“This time it’s all here
You failed so long ago
And what can you do about it?
Stop your crying
What will He ask you?
Now that it’s over with
Behind that face there’s only hope in you
Do you have to feel this way?
‘Cause you never stay the same
Do you notice how you change when you believe?
Do you search but never find?
‘Cause this happens all the time
Do you notice how you change when you believe?
Just like I said before
Behind that face of yours
You hide so far away
From everything that’s right
I’m so glad you’re honest
But your life is such a mess
I know inside of you there’s hope
You’ll find it
And this life is all we are
So prepare your lonely heart
And you know it’s all you have
So breathe in
So say you’re sorry now
This pain won’t allow
And you know it’s all you have to do now”
Or:
“It’s raining men
Hallelujah it’s raining men, Amen
I’m gonna go out
I’m gonna let myself get
Absolutely soaking wet
It’s raining men
Hallelujah it’s raining men
Every specimen
Tall blond dark and mean
Rough and tough and strong and lean”
Or:
“I’m an angel bored like hell
and you’re a devil meaning well”
Here’s to peace, equality and hope in 2007
