New Year’s Survey 2011

Stumbled upon this blog today (I’d completely forgotten it existed) and decided this would be a good time to revive the annual New Year’s survey.

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
Been married for one year (is that cheating?). I don’t know that I did anything new. I applied for a new job.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and did you make any for this year?
I think I specifically did not make a New Year’s resolution last year, but this year I’m determined to start working out more. I expect to go at least once a week. I was fairly good for the last couple of months of 2011, but failed during the holidays. I’ve been once this week, so hopefully I’m back on track.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Beau and Jenny had a baby boy, Miles Andrew, which rocked my little world (no one else remotely close to me has a baby), and about a bazillion of my closest facebook friends also had babies.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No one especially close to me died in 2011, but one co-worker died unexpectedly in late December. Also, in early January (within the last week or so), a younger kid I knew from church killed himself, which made me reflect on life in general, even though I hadn’t seen him in years (How lucky are we? Seriously!). This wasn’t last year, but since I didn’t do a post in 2010: A co-worker of Aubrey’s died at work in March 2010 while he was there and supervising and that has affected our life in more ways that I think I/we even realize still – especially now that I work in the plant in which he died. Life is so short. And I think this guy honestly believed that he led a small life that affected no one, but his funeral was packed… and very emotional for everyone there.

5. What countries/states did you visit?
2011 was awesome for this. Aubrey and I went to Northern California in May to see the sites and visit my brother and sister-in-law. In July, I travelled to Scotland with a co-worker and can’t wait to go back. In October, I took a work recruiting trip to Anaheim, California and got to go to Disneyland one day. I also got to go to the beach in Alabama in August twice – once with Aub and once with the ladies.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
Time with my friends. <– Haha. This was my answer in January 2009 and it still holds true.

7. What date(s) from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory and why?
I don’t have specific dates, but the things I will remember forever from this year are the intracacies of the first year of marriage, particularly Aubrey’s (potentially fatal) car crash in the spring (April?). I also won’t forget my 3rd (and longest) turnaround experience in September/October or riding in the Spanishtown parade with Michael and Sarah. And, of course, our first wedding anniversary was October 15th!

8. What was your biggest achievement of 2011?
Applying for and getting a new job within my company. It was scary for me and a little tough to make a decision about my future role, but I think I made a good choice in the end.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not being better about calling people, etc. <– Haha. Another answer from January 2009, still holding true. Man I should pick up the phone more.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
A little bit sick in late November but otherwise a good, healthy year for me!

11. What was the best thing you bought?
One-day ticket to Disneyland (It was awesome, even going by myself)! Everything in/around/about Scotland. The 14+ bottles of wine purchased during our trip to NorCal.

12. Did anyone close to you get engaged?
Le & Stephen! Koubi & Erin!

13. Did anyone close to you get married?
Dustin & Miranda! Shelley & Armin (sorry I missed the wedding…)!

14. Where did most of your money go?
Vacations (see above) and my husband’s tuition.

15. What did you get really excited about?
Scotland!

16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
Adele’s Rolling in the Deep is a clear and honest answer. What a great song! I love Glee’s version, too. For 2010, by the way, I think it will forever be OMG by Usher because of my wedding and Clem and Allison’s dancing – incredible!

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
-Older or wiser? Older. This is the year I turn 30. Ugh!
-Thinner or fatter? Fatter. See above for my resolution about working out.
-Richer or poorer? About the same, I guess. Maybe poorer due to the expenses of life.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Relaxed and enjoyed life. Always.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
There was a lot of worry and stress and anxiety and unhappiness in 2011. If I could go back one year and tell my past self what would be happening now and how I would be feeling, I think I would have been much happier and nicer to be around.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
With Aubrey’s family in the morning opening presents and eating breakfast, with my parents for lunch and watching “It’s a Wonderful Life”, then dinner with Aubrey’s family. Great day!

22. Did you fall in love in 2011?
I think I fell in love with my husband all over again in 2011. It sounds cheesy and cliche, but, honestly, if you were in my head this year, you’d believe it.

23. Do you love/like anyone that you didn’t love/like this time last year?
I find new people to like/love every year! I’m so lucky that every year I meet new people that are awesome. I think this will especially be true in 2012 as I start working in a new plant.

24. Do you hate/dislike anyone now that you didn’t hate/dislike this time last year?
This might be the first time I ever say no to the answer. I love my life. How could I not like anyone who is worth being in it?

25. What was your favorite TV program?
Aubrey and I started watching Sons of Anarchy this year. In. Cred. Ible. Can’t wait for next season! I also enjoyed the following (so many, I know): Parks & Recreation, Project Runway, Top Chef, Cupcake Wars, Parenthood, Once Upon A Time. I did give up some shows this year, I swear!

26. What was the best book you read?
I read so many books every year, it’s hard to keep track. I know I read at least part of the Outlander series (by Diana Gabaldon) this year, so I will list that as it is awesome. I’m also pretty sure I reread The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins this year, which I highly recommend (even the third book). I read the Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare this year (or parts of them) and recommend those as well (if you like Twilight/Hunger Games/fantasy etc.). Near the end of 2011, I decided to read the whole “Wheel of Time” series starting over from the beginning. I previously read through the sixth or seventh book then stopped, but am now currently on the 4th book.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Bayou Country Superfest in Baton Rouge. I only knew about half the songs from half the artists, but still had a great time!

28. What was your favorite film?
Harry Potter and the Dealthy Hallows Part II. Super 8. Twilight Breaking Dawn Part I (laugh if you want). The Muppets.

29. What did you want and get?
Love.

30. What did you want and not get?
I can’t think of anything right now, which I suppose is good. However, it’s probably also good for you to not get the things you want every once in a while. How about a national championship for LSU? Too soon? Too trivial?

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
29. Almost 30. My parents took Aub and I out to eat at Juban’s and it was the best birthday dinner ever! Two words: whiskey sour.

32. What was one thing that would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Clarity of thought, peace of mind, and assurance in my own decisions and actions.

33. What kept you sane?
A lot of the time, it was my work peeps, Megan, Neal, Joey, etc. And my ladies! Oh, and Aubrey.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
This year? Hmmm…. Ryan Gosling maybe. Ryan Reynolds? (Aubrey would say Taylor Lautner for me).

35. What political issue stirred you the most?
The economy, I think.

36. Who did you miss?
My friends who don’t live near me… and some that do.

37. Who was the best new person you met?
Did I meet a new person in 2011? Lol… Ooh! I made a new friend, Jamie Polan, in Cali during a conference. Great person!

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
Life is so short. I have so many friends who’ve struggled through so much this year: chronic illnesses, acute illnesses, births, deaths, job loss, job stress. All of it just made me realize how small my own issues really are and made me appreciate all that life has given me. I have the best life I can imagine. Yeah, maybe I want more sometimes, but what I have is so awesome – how can I complain?

Rereading all of my answers, I realize this has all come off as overly optimistic/happy, but I don’t know that that’s a bad thing heading into a new year. There’s been so many times when my reflection of the past year has depressed even myself that I’m pleased this has turned out so sunny. I need that in my life.