Year in Review

I used to do this survey every year for awhile but I think it's been a year or two. This morning while catching up on one of the many bloggers I stalk read, I noticed that she did the same survey and I thought: my brain can't come up with anything too original right now so why not?

1. What did you do in 2009 that you had never done before?

The obvious would be getting pregnant and giving birth to a beautiful daughter and everything that goes along with it. Also changing a poopy diaper. That's right, I had never changed a diaper before. I also totaled my car. As a fairly careful, if occasionally impatient but not doucheally (douchebagily?) impatient, I have only inflicted minor damage to my car before and usually while doing something really stupid (ie Backing down an alley in the pouring rain and running into a dumpster. Ahem.)

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I honestly don't think I made a specific resolution. Past experience with failing at every one I've made has kept me from doing them in recent years. This year, I am hesitant to make any because I worry that, you know, taking care of a new life and all will keep me from really committing to any one thing. I do, however, want to do better so I will make some:

• Read more. It has been several months at least since I last finished a book. I have two that I have started but have only gotten through the first few pages/chapters of (Up Till Now: The Autobiography by William Shatner and People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks, in case you're interested). And since I have a to be read stack that is out of control and a want to read list that is insanely long, I think I really need to work on this.
• On a related note: get a library card.
• Cook at home more.
• Related: eat more healthfully.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

You mean besides me? My childhood friend Rachel gave birth to her son Liam this past summer. And then a few people I knew from college but wasn't particularly close to.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

I had to think about this one for a minute but no. As far as I know, not anyone even remotely related to me which is amazing. If I have left someone out because I'm absent minded, let me know.

5. What countries did you visit?

Other than the one I live in? None, sadly. Before little bit came into the picture Brian and I had been talking about going to Ireland this fall. Obviously, that became completely out of the question. I get the feeling that we won't be doing any traveling outside the country for the next few years at least.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

This is going to sound depressing. I would like to have a better outlook on life. I'm going to share a story, and maybe it will embarrass the husband, but I think it's really sweet. We have an ornament on our tree that is this little circular mailbox that says "Letters to Santa." When I took it out this year, I noticed that there was paper in it and I had completely forgotten that Brian had written something and put in there. At first he didn't want me to read it, but I don't like secrets and I browbeat wheedled asked really him really nicely until he gave in. It said: I want Kirsten to be happier. Commence the groaning now. So, there you go.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched on your memory, and why?

I always hate this question because usually no specific date comes to mind. However, I do have two. March 12th, the day my pregnancy test was positive and November 8th, the day my daughter was born.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I feel like this question is asking me to list some huge award or promotion or something like that, but I'm afraid that I don't work and even if I did where I have worked has never awarded me with anything. Seriously. I was voted employee of the month at my CPK the month they decided that they weren't going to do plaques or give bonuses for that anymore; so, that doesn't count. And despite the fact that I have been told I deserved it, I never won the Mother Bread award at Bread Co. Instead, someone who it turned out was stealing was the one who won it. But I digress. Achievement wise I think figuring out what it is I want to do with my life, whether I succeed in it or not, has been my biggest accomplishment.

9. What was your biggest failure?

I think I feel like a failure the most when I haven't been the best wife, or best mother, that I possibly could be.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

When I went to the emergency room, they asked me if I had any illnesses and my response was, "Does being pregnant count?" Reason for trip to the emergency room: I fell down my front stairs and severely sprained the ligaments on the top of my foot.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Ummm. Most of the things I buy are trivial and although I did spend a lot on my new car, I can't really say that it was the best thing I bought. I'm going to have to say it was the SUPER SECRET SURPRISE PRESENT that I got for my friend just for fun. I like making people smile especially for a totally unexpected reason.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My husband. Everyday (almost, he's not perfect after all) he amazes me with how supportive and loving he is. I don't think I tell him often enough how much I appreciate what he does for me.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

There are a few; but, in the spirit of a new year, I will not detail that behavior here.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Bills, bills and more bills.

15. What did you get really excited about?

I feel like a broken record: the birth of my daughter.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?

Uhh...well, I can tell you what song my iTunes played the most. "Dark Blue" by Jack's Mannequin. I'm pretty musically challenged these days.

17. Compared to this time last year are you:

• happier or sadder? About the same
• thinner or fatter? Oddly, about the same since I lost about ten pounds before I got pregnant
• richer or poorer? Financially, definitely poorer. In everything else, I'd have to say richer.

18. What do you wished you'd done more of?

Read, knit, cook, bake. Spend more time friends and less time as a hermit.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Cry for no good reason.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

Pre-Christmas weekend, we traveled to scenic Toledo, Ohio for my mother-in-law's sixtieth birthday. There was much sleeping and eating and going to the art museum and dealing with a fussy schedule interrupted baby. Then I got sick. Then we opened many presents on Christmas morning while the baby slept through the entire thing. Then I got even sicker and we had lunchmeat sandwiches for dinner. But on Boxing Day we went to the Botanical Gardens and it was all better.

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?

With a perfect baby daughter.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

I'm so over television right now. I watch reruns of NCIS and Bones and that makes me perfectly happy. Although I do enjoy Castle.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

I'm trying not to hate anyone, but I'd have to say I just hate the same people.

24. What was the best book you read?

I haven't done a whole lot of reading as I've said before, but I really enjoyed The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. Side note: Amazon finally has a release date for the third book. August 2010! Whoo!

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

I have terrible taste in music.

26. What did you want and get?

A new car, although not in the way it happened. A new job, which unfortunately turned out to suck almost as much as the old job.

27. What did you want and not get?

I want for nothing.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

Do you know, the last movie I saw in the theatres was Harry Potter? God I'm lame. I would have to say the new Star Trek was my favorite though.

29. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?

I turned 27 this year and on my birthday I worked in the morning and then Brian took me to the Melting Pot. And then I envied all the people who could drink.

30. What is the one thing that would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Again, I want for nothing. I think I've had an amazingly good year despite some of the low moments.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

Whatever fit over my ever-expanding ass. Sweat pants and big t-shirts.

32. What kept you sane?

An amazing husband and amazing friends.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Barack Obama. But mostly because I just love listening to him speak.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

Definitely health care and all the stupid stupid people out there that don't realize that universal health care is not some communist plot to take down the American way of life.

35. Who did you miss?

Blake. I wish she didn't live in New Orleans.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

Meredith. And her crazy husband Frank who I swear is just like Brian.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009?

Money can't buy you love. No wait, that's a song. Nothing comes to mind right now, I'll get back to you.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year?

"I want my life to make more sense..." from Pavement Tune by The Frames.

Well, that's all folks. I'll see you next year.