My end of the year tradition

For at least 5 years now, I have filled out this very survey at the end of the year. It is my year in review. Not only is it nice to look back at the year and reflect on all that is happened, but I also read my answers from the year before and reflect on those memories as well. If you end up filling this survey for your blog, leave me a link in the comments so I can go read it.

Happy New Year everyone! See you in 2009!

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before? I moved to California where I made lots of awesome friends, got some great work experience, and did a little bit of growing up… it was a great experience, but in the end I realized that I belong in Chicago and moved back here. In 2008 I also went camping on the beach, went on a motorcycle ride through the mountains, worked at a film festival, went to Portugal with Kalee, spent a day at Magic Mountain, visited San Diego, and swam with sharks. (all firsts for me)
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don’t think I made one last year or the year before. I’ll probably continue that tradition and not make one this year either. Although, I did promise my siblings that I would read the books that they got me this year.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Cassandra and Dave (my sis and bro-in-law’s housemates) had a baby girl in February. And my sister is pregnant now, due in February 2009!
4. Did anyone close to you die? No
5. What countries did you visit? Spain, Portugal, and Mexico
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? Right now I have everything I want…except my nephew, but he’s on the way!
7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory and why? November 8th, my dad’s birthday, but also the day that Paul and I FINALLY started dating. =)
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Moving to California and spending 10 months out there, getting accepted into grad school at DePaul, and getting a “real” job.
9. What was your biggest failure? Not reading enough books. I’ve only read one novel this year and it took me 9 months to finish it.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Nothing too severe.
11. What was the best thing you bought? My Iphone
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My cousin Mariam did awesome in her first year at law school and landed a great internship/job for next summer.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Not really something I want to write about on here.
14. Where did most of your money go? Ummm… bills, student loans, clothes, trips
15. What did you really, really, really get excited about? When my sister called to tell me that she was pregnant!!!!!!!
16. What song will always remind you of 2008? “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz
17. Compared to this time last year are you:
Happier? YES! I’m as happy as I’ve ever been. =)
Thinner? Maybe, or about the same.
Richer? No, but at least I have a full-time job lined up.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Read, save money
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? I can’t think of anything.
20. How did you spend Christmas? At home in Clare with my whole family. It was great.
21. How will you be spending new years? I’ll be with my boyfriend.
22. Did you fall in love in 2008? =)
23. How many one-night stands? n/a
24. What was your favorite TV program? The Office, Grey’s Anatomy, Gossip Girl
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? No
26. What was the best book you read? The ONLY book I read was Middlesex
27. What was your biggest musical discovery? I don’t think I had any big musical discoveries this year actually.
28. What did you want and you got? Everything on my checklist… acceptance into grad school, a job, and Paul. And my nephew is almost here, he was on the list too.
29. What did you want and not get? Ummm… The Office Season 1? Lol. That’s about it.
30. What was your favorite film of this year? Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Juno
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old did you turn? I turned 22 years old and I spent my birthday camping on the beach with my cousins… and I spent the evening on the back of a motorcycle riding through the mountains in Santa Barbara.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? I’m not sure, I’m really satisfied with my life right now.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? I don’t know. Summery, considering I lived in SoCal.
34. What kept you sane? Talking to Paul
35. Which celebrity did you fancy the most? John Krasinski
36. What political issue stirred you the most? Everything involved with the election. I was fired up about Obama, and absolutely couldn’t stand Sarah Palin.
37. Who did you miss? When I was in California, I missed everyone back in the Midwest.
38. Who was the best new person you met? Everyone in California… I can’t pick just one person because they are all great.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008: Have faith in your decisions.
40. Quote or Song Lyric that sums up your year: “I anti-hate you.” AND “I’m just a little bit caught in the middle, life is a maze and love is a riddle.”