2011, a year in review

It seems silly to blog, now, after such a long absence- but I love a year in review, so here we go:

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

• traveled to a foreign country all by myself, two if you recognize Palestine
•  bought a home
• hosted family for a major holiday
• attended my first NFL game
• went to Las Vegas
• started taking the bus to work

2) Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?In the first 10 months of the year, I did great with my resolution to lose weight and get healthy.  I lost 15 pounds, lots and lots of inches, looked leaner and more toned than ever. I've made a few for 2012.  

3) Did anyone close to you give birth?Once again, I knew an obscene amount of babies born this year, but none were birthed by any close friends. 

4) Did anyone close to you die?No.

5) What countries did you visit?Israel and Palestine (if you recognize it as it's own state)

6) What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?

More patience for my brother.

7) What date(s) from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?April 11, the day we moved into our home and November 7th, just because.

8 ) What was your biggest achievement of the year?Some major accomplishments career wise, but I'm going have to say getting the house was biggest accomplishment.

9) Did you suffer illness or injury?I had some major jet lag and a few colds.  My hip issues flared up and interfered with running a bit.

10) What was the best thing you bought?House and a dinner at the French Laundry

11) Whose behavior merited celebration?My husband's.  He is much nicer, kinder and gracious than me.

12) Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?at times, my own.

13) Where did most of your money go?a house and dinner at the French Laundry

14) What did you get really, really, really excited about?

• my first NFL game
• my trip to Israel
• seeing K-State play in the dance in Tucson
• the house

15) What song will always remind you of 2011?“Pumped up Kicks"

16) Compared to this time last year, are you:
Wiser?  Yes.
Healthier? Yes and no.
Richer? In all the ways that one can be richer that money doesn't play a part in- yes.

17) What do you wish you’d done more of?Blogging. Scrapbooking- I'm so far behind on my '11 book. 

18) What do you wish you’d done less of?Wasting energy on people and situations that my energy didn't deserve.

19) How did you spend Christmas?With the in-laws.

20) Did you fall in love in 2011?yes.

21) What was your favorite blog post that you wrote?I didn’t write many, so once again, I'll cop out and say the one I didn't post.

22) What were your favorite TV programs?

I watched very little tv this year, even with the addition of cable to our lives.

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

24) What was the best book you read?So many good ones: The State of Wonder may have been the best though.

25) What was your greatest musical discovery?Erato.  seriously, watch this

26) What did you want and get?

• Another vacation in wine country
• A change in my career, starting this year, but negotiated in 2011.
• the house

27) What did you want and not get?

• A billion dollars
• A new car (it is happening in 12 I tell you!)

28) What was your favorite film of this year?Um, I think we only saw one in the theater- so the last Harry Potter.

29) What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?I turned 34 and my dear husband planned and executed a surprise birthday party for me!

30) Which celebrity/public figure did you like the most?Eric Stonestreet.  Dude is funny and he loves KState.

31) How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?Classic

32) What kept you sane?My husband

33) Who did you miss?I always miss my parents and wish I was able to see them more.

34) Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.Try, try again.

35) What did you gain this year?a house, a new title, hope.

36) What did you lose this year?15 pounds, a habit, faith in a person who was once dear to me. 

37) Who were the most interesting new people you met?I always meet interesting people through the running group I coach, but I met two new friends at a wedding this summer that I now have near-daily interactions with.  

38) Quote a song lyric that sums up your year."I've waited for a long time" Pumped up Kicks