As I mentioned when I did this exercise last year, I'm of a reflective, nostalgic bent and the end of the year always kicks that up a notch, so this helps me send out one year with a bang and welcome another with open arms.
I can hardly believe another year is coming to a close, but I'm grateful as hell for all that 2011 brought and am so excited to jump feet first into 2012 and all that it holds.
I'm posting this as I leave what has been an amazing week of holiday fun with family, and while I'm sad to see it end, I am aware of my infinite blessing to have these people to create magic with again and again.
Happy New Year, friends! May 2012 bring you much health, happiness, peace and so much joy.
*******
1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before? Traveled to Europe. Achieved a couple of milestones (more to come on those later, and sorry in advance for the tease).
2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Honestly, I didn't really create much in the way of resolutions last year, but hoped to embrace every opportunity to live better, and while I made my fair share of mistakes, I think overall, I committed to this in a satisfactory way. More to come in 2012 for sure!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? My very best friend, who is truly more sister than anything, had a precious baby girl in April. I am her Godmother, and I love her fiercely. Many other good friends welcomed babies this year, and I've had way too much fun shopping for them, and wish I had infinitely more time with each to snuggle the day away. Babies are amazing, the end.
4. Did anyone close to you die? No, and the fact that this is the second consecutive year I've been able to type that is a blessing for which I am immensely grateful (and aware. oh, so aware).
5. What places did you visit? ITALY! We saw Rome, Venice, Florence, Tuscany, and Cinque Terre and each of those places captured my heart in a way I didn't know was possible. We closed out 2011 in Charleston, SC and it is without question the most charming place I've visited within the US in quite some time.
6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011? Honestly, not a thing. I'm ridiculously blessed, aware of my good fortune and grateful every day for the embarrassment of riches that colors my life.
7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? October 21, 2011, and November 5, 2011. There are a couple more days that do stand out, but these two will be tough to beat. I'm pleading the fifth on the why for now, content just to acknowledge that they were terrific days. :)
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? As cliche as it sounds, taking a deep breath before responding more times than not. I don't do it every time, or probably even enough, but I think I've done it more this year than ever before, and that is something. It's amazing what perspective those few seconds and breaths can bring. They are powerful.
9. What was your biggest failure? Fitness, blah blah blah. So tired of this answer, and really need to do something about it longer term. I had hoped to be better about sharing in the responsibility of preparing healthy meals for our family, but without a doubt, Husband bore the brunt of this responsibility for yet another year. But the good news? 2012 awaits, and I can face this goal another day.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Nothing too major --- colds and bouts with sinuses and minor bumps and bruises aside --- we have been mostly healthy, and I thank God for this daily.
11. What was the best thing you bought? Honestly? I'm not sure. Perhaps this means I need to be more aware of and purposeful with spending? Something to work on for sure.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Husband's as always. The man is kind of a saint.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? There are way too many obvious directions to go with this question, and I just don't want to dwell on a depressing topic as I wind down my year, so I'll just say Congress and leave it at that. I mean seriously, is there another job in the world where you can fail so consistently without repercussion?
14. Where did most of your money go? Rent, food, travel.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Travel, discovering the unknown, and the art of anticipating/embracing what's to come. Honestly? I'm just thrilled for 2012.
16. What song will always remind you of 2011? God, I never know how to answer this, but the first thing that comes to mind is Adele, so I'll go with that. What a voice that woman has, am I right?!
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? No real measure here, I am a happy girl, then and now. I choose it, always. Even when it isn't easy.
b) thinner or fatter? Fatter. No comment.
c) richer or poorer? Is it terribly cheesy to just say that I feel richer every year? Because, truly, I do. And this year is no exception.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Writing. Picking up my camera (and actually learning to use it). Going for walks. Stretching (literally and not so literally).
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Worrying about things beyond my control, second guessing myself, complaining.
20. How did you spend Christmas in 2011? In Charleston, SC where my brother moved last year. We've walked on the beach, eaten so much yummy food, explored every nook and cranny and soaked up the sunshine and each other. It's been so awesome, and my heart will be heavy when we fly away tomorrow. We have such amazing families, and I hope we see a lot more of ALL of them in 2012.
21. Did you fall in love in 2011? I've been in love for years, and it got stronger in 2011 as it does each year. That happens when you're smart enough to marry the most amazing man in the world.
22. What was your favorite TV program? Modern Family. Homeland. Up All Night. The Good Wife. Friday Night Lights.
23. What did you do for your birthday in 2011? Shared dinner with Husband, blew out candles, snuggled my fur babies, talked to friends and family far and wide, and gave thanks for another amazing year.
24. What was the best book you read? Overall, I wasn't great at reading this year, but I did discover a few gems along the way. Bossypants. Unbroken. Discovery of Witches (sue me, I like the vampire stuff), Let's Take the Long Way Home. Bird by Bird.
25. What did you want and get? So much more than I can ever deserve.
26. What did you want and not get? Not a damn thing. I know many of you will roll your eyes at this answer, but all I can say is when I sat and thought for a minute, NOTHING kept sounding loud in my ears, and I'm smart enough (and aware enough of my blessings) to pay that truth its due.
27. What was your favorite film of this year? We watch SO many movies and I'm at a loss to remember them all at year's end, so I'll just list a few I loved and call it a day. Bridesmaids. Crazy, Stupid Love. Drive.
28. Did you make some new friends this year? Absolutely! Online and off, and I'd like to do much more of this in the year ahead.
29.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Again, I have to go with nothing. Things are as they should be, and I've learned to embrace that.
30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011? I hate this question, and find it stupid, so I'm going to ignore it, ok?
31. What kept you sane? Husband, family, close friends (you know who you are), the internet, fine wine, and those aforementioned deep breaths.
32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? As each year goes by, I care less and less about celebrities. YAWN.
33. What political issue stirred you the most? Last year's answer still applies, so I'll let it stand: Anything pertaining to rights and choice and acceptance---from health care to education to matters of equality for my gay and lesbian friends.
34. Who did you miss? Again, tough to beat last year's answer, so samesies it is: Family and my best girlfriends---especially Ash and Beck and Robin---who are too often separated from me by state lines, but always always front and center in my heart.
35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011. I learned a lot in 2011, but I think I can best summarize it with two words that have applications in almost every life area that matters to me: have faith.
One more time, wishing you a happy and healthy new year, friends. Thanks for reading!
We must discuss next week Bird by Bird. It changed my life. I have an autographed copy. Oh that book!
Posted by: Erin | December 29, 2011 at 05:14 PM