1. What did you do in 2012 that you'd never done before?
I started taking Yoga classes. I connected to the practice on a different level than any other physical activity I’ve ever done. I try not to analyze it too much lest the bubble pop. Or in this case, the yoga high.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
My resolution was to stay sane while working my way through grad School. I think I did a pretty good job of keeping that one; there were only a few moments when I needed to be talked off the ledge. I don’t think I will make one for 2013. I just want to finish school on time and maintain my GPA.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
One of my friends gave birth to a cute little boy.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.
5. What countries did you visit?
None.
6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?
A cost-of-living raise. Six years without a raise at the day job. Morale is terrible and I can’t say I blame the employees much for feeling disgruntled at this point.
7. What dates from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
In thinking about it, I have had a rather uneventful, yet crazy busy year. The closest thing to an “etched memory” would be receiving notice from school that my graduation application had been accepted and that I was set to graduate next spring. I’ve wanted this for more than 26 years so it feels good that I have almost achieved it. I get misty-eyed thinking about graduation. No joke.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Maintaining a heavy school workload and the day job simultaneously.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not getting a job I applied for in Oregon.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
A mystery illness turned out to be a childhood Food allergy resurfacing.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Yoga classes.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Malala Yousafzai. I admire her bravery, perseverance, and strength.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Super PACs, lobbyists, and the secret rich behind them. What an awful, negative, mud-slinging election we had this year. When I am queen, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission will be overturned.
And then of course was the guy, who will remain nameless here, who murdered the children in Sandy Hook. Such a heart-breaking thing to happen.
14. Where did most of your money go?
School related stuff and regular stuff that got expensive this year such as petrol and food.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Almost being done with my formal education, possibly forever.
16. What song(s) will always remind you of 2012?
‘Diamonds’ and ‘Where Have You Been’ by Rihanna. 'Take Care' by Drake. ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’ by Goyte. ‘Good Feeling’ by Flo Rida. ‘Glad You Came’ by The Wanted. ‘Gangnam Style’ by Psy. 'Swimming Pools' by Kendrick Lamar. 'Mercy' by Kanye West. ‘Ho Hey’ by The Lumineers.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? I am happier than I have ever been in my life.
b) thinner or fatter? I am the same.
c) richer or poorer? My life is richer than it has been in years and it has nothing to do with money.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Nothing really. I did a pretty good job of finding balance between my commitments and free time.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Research papers. LOL.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
With my immediate family.
22. Did you fall in love in 2012?
Yes, I fell in love with how great I feel during and after yoga class.
23. How many one-night stands?
None.
24. What was your favorite TV program(s)?
The Big Bang Theory, Portlandia, and Downton Abbey.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I don’t hate anyone. Too much negative energy wasted.
26. What was the best book(s) you read?
According to Goodreads I ranked ‘Last Man in Tower’ by Aravind Adiga and ‘The Apprentice: My Life in the Kitchen’ by Jacques Pepin as my favorite reads this year.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Wow, I didn’t realize until just now how much time school took away from other life stuff. I don’t think I made any musical discoveries this year.
28. What did you want and get?
A cookbook by Jacques Pepin, my pretend French grandfather.
29. What did you want and not get?
A nice vacation to a destination where I would need a passport to get there.
30. What was your favorite film(s) of this year?
The best movie I saw in a movie theater was The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. My other favorites for the year were The Dark Knight Rises, and Moonrise Kingdom.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
At 44, I had two papers to write but I was fortunately abducted by one of my friends and her adorable son for a long leisurely lunch. And that was just the beginning.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Other than a real vacation, I think I was pretty satisfied.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?
This question always cracks me up because I don’t have a ‘fashion concept’ other than “is this clean, this looks clean…” If it hurts, or is itchy, or is scratchy, it just isn’t getting worn. Life is too short to wear uncomfortable clothing.
34. What kept you sane?
Yoga, zoning out on Pinterest, and my friends.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Amr Waked, who was in the movie Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. He distracted me from the storyline. Seriously.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The defeat of Prop 37 in California – I feel very strongly that people have the right to choose whether or not to consume GMO foods.
37. Who did you miss?
I miss my Aunt and Uncle. It was a very different Christmas this year without them.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
I’m not sure there was a “best” new person this year. I met lots of people in school and yoga, but I haven’t really connected with anyone this year.
39. Tell us a valuable life Lesson you learned in 2012:
I had many lessons, but no life lessons.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
“Find light in the beautiful sea, I choose to be happy.”
~From Rihanna’s “Diamonds”
