The Year of Joy is Over

The Year of Joy has come to an end. And what a pretty good year it was... So good that I apparently forgot to keep blogging. Sorry about that everyone! At some point though I did feel as if I was writing about the same things over and over again. That despite all the good things that were happening, I managed to remain focused on the negative (so much for that resolution. Ha.) So in an effort to put 2010 in perspective, I stole this questionnaire from my friend Kendra (please keep in mind I can barely remember past December, so I may be missing stuff from the rest of the year-give or take a month):

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
A keg stand!
Bought a song off of Itunes (yes, I have just entered the 21st century)

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't believe I kept any of my new year's resolutions which were the following:
-to drink more water (definitely did not do)
-to cut myself a bit more slack (I gave this a valiant effort, although I don't think I ever really believed any of the things I told myself)
-floss more (this is my new year's resolution every year)
-set some goals for myself i.e 5 yr plan (I set goals for myself- see 101 things entry, but not a 5 yr plan)
-walk dogs every day for at least 30 mins (yeah... I am a bad puppy parent. This definitely did not happen)
-come up with a weekly meal plan and follow it (also did not happen)
Okay... so with that, you would think that I would not bother making resolutions again. But that's the one thing that I am consistent about. I make resolutions every year. Sure, they are usually the same every year but what the hell...
My resolutions for 2011 are:
-to drink at least 5 glasses of water a day (seriously, this is good for me. I usually don't drink any. Bad, very bad.)
-Floss at least once every weekday
-Do something active every day (whether thats going for a run, walking the dogs, taking a class...)
-Do at least one social activity a week where I am out meeting and actively engaging in conversation with a new person.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Um, yes. It felt like everyone was freaking pregnant. My lovely friends Sarah and Kendra and Kelly who all have very cute babies, a slew of people on Facebook and oh, yeah, Tony has a baby too.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes, my grandpa :(

5. What places did you visit?
Aruba, Cape Cod, NH, Maine, Colorado, NYC, The Jerz. I think that’s it...

What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
Aside from more money? I would like to feel at peace with myself and where I am and the things/ people I have in my life.

What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
August 28, 2010: the date I was supposed to get married.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
31 days of yoga in the 31 days of January
Umm... drinking a lot? I don't know that I really achieved much this year aside from having a lot of fun....
I got a few part-time jobs that I was super happy with and think will help me on my path towards a better career (let's hope!!)

9. What was your biggest failure?
Oh God... I consider everything a failure, but in an effort to be realistic, to be honest, I don't know. I must be awesome at everything!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
no, thankfully

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My computer.
Oh! and my favorite cardigan ever-- pretty much every time I wear it, I wish I bought one in every color.
Oooh and my bed. I love my bed.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Biggie's!! He is no longer living in his crate and he has reduced his barking significantly. So proud :)

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Definitely Tony's, 100%, and sometimes my own.

14. Where did most of your money go?
My wonderful student loans, rent, and restaurants. I went out to eat, a lot.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Talking about Cape weekend
My birthday party
Going to Colorado to see my Bestie Erin
All the exciting news my friends' had to share-engagements and weddings and babies, oh my!!

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
Hmmm... not sure. Will have to think on that. Maybe Dog Days by Florence and the Machine-- yes, that one.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder? happier
b) thinner or fatter? fatter
c) richer or poorer? richer
Two outta three ain't bad...

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
I wish I had worked a harder to be a little more positive and aware of my actions

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
I wish I had eaten less... actually let me rephrase: I wish I had engaged in a little less emotional eating.

20. How will you spend Christmas?
I spent it with my family in New Jersey

21. Did you fall in love in 2010?
If I was 22 I probably easily could have, but I’m 30 and trying to be a little more judicious with my emotions these days, not to mention a little more realistic with the long term potential of relationships. That may be another achievement actually.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Glee! Gossip Girl.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't think so...

24. What was the best book you read?
Ugh I wish I read more books... I read The Help though which I really liked

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Parenthood Soundtrack

26. What did you want and get?
College counseling experience

27. What did you want and not get?
Okay, I don't want to say a boy, but I'm going to say it: a boy. Ugh, is it terrible that I am a little disgusted that I just admitted that?

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Oh, I loved Easy A. So hilarious.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was the big 3-0. I had a party at a bar and acted like a 22 year old. Good times :)

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Had I accomplished more than 31 in 31

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
generally classic with lots of scarves and/or bikinis depending on the weather.

32. What kept you sane?
Oh without a doubt- my friends!!

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Did I "fancy" the most? Um... I'm not sure.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
I will not say that I don't care about politics, because I do, but not enough to remember anything that stirred me in particular this year.

35. Whom did you miss?
All of my dear friends who moved away :(

36. Who was the best new person you met?
Well technically I met Erika in 2009 but we didn't really become friends until this year. Definitely the best, if not the most fun person that I've met.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
That I need to fill my life with more fun, less sadness, and hopefully I'll manage to figure out the stuff in between.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"It just takes some time, little girl you're in the middle of the ride.
Everything will be just fine, everything will be alright."

Quite a step up from 2009, which was "I wanna be sedated"