2010 Survey
I’ve been meaning to do this again for the past couple weeks, so I’d better get ‘er done before it’s ridiculously too late. It’s only two weeks into the new year, so I still somewhat remember 2010…
I took out the more annoying questions, because it’s my blog and I can do what I want.
1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
Went ziplining in Mexico and was not bothered by the heights. Participated in an intensive library leadership institute. Pursued (and was offered and accepted! but technically that was in 2011) the Virtual Services Manager position at my workplace. Purchased a car with an automatic transmission. Experienced almost an entire pregnancy, with currently NO end in sight. I will be pregnant FOREVER.
2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Wow, I most certainly did not. Actually, I kept two of my goals: I successfully gave up caffeine, with a small backslide to keep me awake at work during my first trimester, and I wrote about every single book I added on GoodReads (which was every single book I read during the year). I did also knit almost one entire sock. Other than that, all my resolutions went by the wayside while I got distracted by growing a tiny human.
No resolutions for this year, but two pretty massive life changes—becoming a mom, and starting a new management position at work.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Oh man, SO many people. Especially my sister and sister-in-law, tripling the number of adorable nieces I have. My cousin. A close coworker/friend, and a bunch of other friends.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My grandma, Eleanor Gavin, in late September.
5. What countries did you visit?
Just Mexico, again.
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
A baby! She’s only a day late, so she’ll be born someday, I’m sure! I’ve got a lot of new stuff coming my way in 2010, some that I can anticipate and a bunch that I can’t possibly predict, so, you know, bring it on, world.
7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory?
July 2: we got a GREAT look at our healthy little fetus!
October 22: Our anniversary. We’ve been married for five fantastic years!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Growing almost an entire human in my body.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not exercising nearly enough.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I haven’t had a difficult pregnancy, but it has left me feeling ill and/or injured in many different ways by its nature, starting with the weeks and weeks of nausea and culminating in the slow separation of my pelvic bones.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Probably my car—traded up big-time, from my little (and great) Honda Civic Coupe to a pristine 2006 Subaru Forester. Jed and I now have his-and-hers Foresters.
12. Where did most of your money go?
The house, including refinancing our mortgage. Baby preparations. New car.
13. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Having a baby! Two new nieces! New car!
14. What music will always remind you of 2010?
Phish sounding really good live again.
15. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Way happier.
ii. thinner or fatter? Oh my goodness, so much fatter.
iii. richer or poorer? About the same. More assets, more equity, probably less cash. Definitely heading into a cash-poor time of life.
16. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Exercise.
17. What do you wish you’d done less of?
POSSIBLY eating less ice cream, but I needed that ice cream.
18. How did you spend Christmas?
Saw both sides of the family over two days, with a bit of relaxation at home in between. Jed was on TV on the morning of Christmas Eve! He did a cooking demonstration spot on WCIU’s morning show and totally kicked ass. The video’s not online & we don’t have a DVR, so if you weren’t up at 7 am watching it with the MASSES who I’m sure also watch the show, you lose.
19. What was your favorite TV program?
Still a lot of the same ones from last year. Also Modern Family, 30 Rock, and lately we’ve been watching Caprica, but more for nostalgia/BSG completist purposes.
20. What was the best book you read?
Oh man, I did a lot of good reading on 2010. And I am incapable of ever picking one favorite of anything, so you’re getting a list.
The Passage by Justin Cronin
100 Bullets by Brian Azzarello
The Lonely Polygamist by Brady Udall
Await Your Reply by Dan Chaon
One Day by David Nicholls
Mr. Peanut by Adam Ross
Freedom by Jonathan Franzen
Room by Emma Donoghue
finally, a renewed love of Margaret Atwood when I read The Year of the Flood and re-read The Handmaid’s Tale.
21. What did you want and get?
A new car. New blinds for my living room. A healthy pregnancy.
22. What was your favorite film of this year?
True Grit. Oh, it was so, so good.
23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 31 & went out to dinner with friends. I think I got a pedicure too.
24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Jed having a less brutal work schedule.
25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Early 2010: cardigans & scarves
Mid-to-late 2010: keeping up with my embiggening body/surprisingly stylish maternity wear
Late 2010: Goodbye, cute shoe collection. Hello, incredibly limited wardrobe and newly, awkwardly enormous body.
26. What kept you sane?
Jed, as always.
27. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I don’t know! Dumb question.
28. Who was the best new person you met?
My new nieces, Lily & Alice. They’re pretty great.
29. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010:
Good things happen when you stretch outside your comfort zone.
