Recap of 2011 January 3, 2012

I’m going to try to remember some stuff, but there is a good chance I have forgotten a whole lot. Especially because Jan, Feb, and March are pretty fuzzy. That’s life with a less than 6 month old in the house, though.

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?

Got a real job. YAY! Went a bunch of fun places with the boys. You always see something different when there are little ones along for the ride. Bought work clothes from Goodwill.

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

I think my resolution was to spend three minutes a day on abs work. I think I did that for a week in January. Then I started doing it again lately when my back was hurting from carrying kids. So sort of? I don’t have any resolutions this year. I’m preferring to phrase this as “What are you looking forward to in 2012?” and making those resolutions. I might have also resolved to be more present…or was that 2010? I have been, in that I do not bring work home much, but sometimes I blog at work. So maybe not?

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes! Very excited for my friend Erin and baby Sam, Dan & Kathy and baby Finn, Nicola and baby Alan, and Leah and Lucy with baby Seda, RB and Niko, my cousin and Leaf, Eliza and Nina, the list goes on. And sometimes I’m having trouble remembering who was born this year and last.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No. Let’s keep it that way.

5. What countries did you visit?

hahaha. None. Except this one. But I did renew my passport this year. I have big plans. Oh, did I renew my passport last year? I did.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you didn’t have in 2011?

Nothing. More time for everything.

7. What dates from 2011 will be etched upon your memory, and why?

My campus visits, but I’m not good with dates. That’s why I do literature. September 3, G’s first birthday was really fun. July 5 we moved into our new rented house. Oct 2 or thereabouts when M called me to ask about renting our Albuquerque house. What a relief! Sometime in March when MU offered me a job. Memorial Day weekend for my friend Liz’s wedding. That was fun. OMG. I totally forgot April 14 the day I defended my dissertation!

8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?

Finishing my dissertation and getting a job.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not blogging enough to suit my dad.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Just a few colds here and there. But it sucked that one of them was the last two weeks of this semester.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I don’t know. My awesome red suit? But I think I got that in late 2010. I’m convinced it helped me get a job.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Seamus’s. He’s potty-trained, speaks in complete sentences, and is getting really independent but remains sweet. Gilbert’s because he tries to keep up and succeeds so often we’re surprised when he acts like a baby. Patrick’s for being great at home and driving a moving truck cross country. And cleaning the house in ABQ and so many other things. My parents for coming anywhere to help with the boys at almost any time. Patrick’s dad for babysitting. Patrick’s mom for the great vacation spots.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Mostly political figures. But the advantage of not having much time means that I don’t know a whole lot about how depressed an appalled I should be.

The weather in DC. How is this possible that it rains more than Portland?

14. Where did most your money go?

Rent and mortgage (paying both at the same time sucks) and moving.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Moving, a new job, a new place. Seeing a movie. Going for a bike ride with Patrick without the boys. The big and the small all in balance.

16. What song will always remind you of 2011?

Buenos Dias–the song Seamus is obsessed with from his Spanish class. Wagon Wheel which is the first song that Seamus ever requested. Clementine which I sing to Gilbert almost every night.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?

Happier: yes
Thinner: a little as I didn’t have a baby four months ago
Richer: not so much

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Getting excited to ride my bike to school.

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

Driving.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

We’re not done yet! But the post right before this delineates some of our activities. We had a very nice Christmas Eve with P’s family. Then P got sick on Christmas Day, but the boys had a great time!

21. Did you fall in love in 2011?

Yes. With my new job.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

I enjoyed The Closer, Dexter, Gilmore Girls, and 30 Rock.

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

No. But I hate moving. And Amazon.

24. What was the best book you read?

Ahab’s Wife really moved me. In Case We’re Seperated also has provoked me to think and savor short stories. I read a ton of pleasure books this year, but I can’t remember them all, so I think these are my favorites. Or at least they’re sticking with me.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

I let Patrick take care of musical discoveries.

26. What did you want and get?

Happy excursions with the boys in DC. We’ve had so much fun exploring.

27. What did you want and not get?

My money back from Amazon. Hence why I’m still on a one person boycott.

28. What was your favorite film of 2011?

The Help. I guess I should have put this as a favorite book, as I certainly liked the book better than the movie, but I guess I like the comparison too, so it fits here.

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

31. Patrick got us tickets to Wicked. It was great. We had pizza at Saggio’s before.

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

Our washer and dryer in this rental house. I hate the w/d there, and we have such nice ones sitting in P’s mom’s basement.

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

Developing professional style.

32. What kept you sane?

Exercise, cooking, coffee, my friends, Patrick, my parents, sunshine.

33. What political issue stirred you the most?

The Plan B flap.

34. Who did you miss?

My Albuquerque friends when we left. It was good to go, but wow I miss those people.

35. Who was the best new person you met?

All my new colleagues are great people. They’ve been so welcoming and fun. My students are really cool and work hard. Baby Sam. Baby Finn.

36. What are you looking forward to in 2012?

Teaching classes that I’ve already taught. Teaching new classes. Taking the boys more places. Having my Granny come visit for Cherry Blossom festival. Working on my articles. Spending family time. Hearing Gilbert develop sentences.

Advertisement