Reflections on 2011

I'm copying this list of questions from my friend A'Dell's blog. I thought it was such a nice way to think about the past year.

1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
I returned to work in February after giving birth to Will in November 2010 and spent the rest of the year (and continue to) working full-time outside the home. It is challenging. I also started guitar lessons which are very fun but I am terrible at setting aside time to practice. I began taking my architectural exams in June with three (out of seven) under my belt by the end of the year.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
My NYRs for 2011 were to check my email and facebook everyday and to make one entry in my family blog once a week. I failed miserably at all three. I am not very “digitally” active, the really funny part is that even though I was way under my goals I was still more “in the loop” than in years past. Progress? little by little!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes! Several of my friends and two cousins had babies: Becky (January), Brandey and A’Dell (May), Kristi (September), Abbie (October), and Carrie (November.)
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thankfully.
5. What countries did you visit?
None, and we only left Texas once which is my all-time worst travel record since I’ve been an adult. I attribute that to having a baby and not mentally being up for travel for most of the year.
6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you didn't have in 2011?
A ton of energy. I am constantly exhausted. Between working full-time, commuting, running after a young toddler, and being pregnant again it’s amazing I am not a big puddle on the floor. I couldn’t do it without Ryan! He keeps me from being the puddle :)
7. What dates from 2011 will be etched upon your memory, and why?
Will’s baptism was a great day. So was his first birthday. Everything else is kind of one big happy blur.
8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?
Besides raising a baby/toddler with Ryan, probably joining a church. We had been talking about it for a while, in May we finally began the “new member classes” and became official members by Memorial Day. I also began taking my architectural exams which are a huge pain in the ass. There is a long list of reasons why I didn’t take them when I was first eligible back in mid 2007, but whatever, I am working through them now.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Hmmm…I feel like it takes me a really long time to do very simple things – like sending out cards on time. (I am still only halfway done sending out my New Year’s cards and it’s almost February.) I’m not sure if that’s a time management issue but I feel like I never actually get anything done other than what is absolutely critical.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No cuts, bruises, or chronic illnesses but boy was I sick this year. In fact, probably the most sick I’ve ever been in one year in my whole life. I caught the stomach flu two and a half times (had to go to the emergency room the second time) had several colds, bronchitis, terrible allergies and had to go back to physical therapy for a rib and muscle issue that has been bothering me since I was pregnant with Will. I also developed a weird bacterial eye infection that my optometrist said was stress-induced.
*** I would have published this list last week but I caught another really bad cold and was totally out of it for a few days!!!
***ha ha ha, that was something I wrote two weeks now, ugh… see #9
11. What was the best thing you bought?
New sofa!
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Ryan of course. He’s the best dad and husband ever J
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Anyone who hurt a child, it’s so disturbing to hear all of the news stories of child abuse.
and what was up with Charlie Sheen?
14. Where did most of your money go?
Day care and student loans. Our food bills (including going out to eat) are probably way too high.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I was waaay too excited about The Royal Wedding. I mean, really excited. I watched the whole darn thing. Who didn’t love Kate’s dress?
16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO! It was THE song of the summer. I got to see Ke$ha in concert with my friend Alan in August and they were the opening act. So much fun!
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
Definitely happier, we were so grateful and thrilled when Will was born and now that we’re expecting a second baby I can’t even believe how lucky I am.
I am neither here nor there on weight. I lost the rest of my baby weight and then *surprise!* found out I was pregnant. I am right on track gaining weight with this pregnancy, I am just happy to be healthy.
We are definitely not poorer (less debt than year before!) but it seems like our expenses (especially our looming expenses like paying for TWO kids in daycare) will outpace our gains in income, so I don’t know. We’re doing okay.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
I wish I had been able to get to the movies more (I know that sounds silly but I LOVE going to the movies and the ONLY one I saw in 2011 was Thor.) I wish I had taken Will on more fun outings like the zoo or the beach.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Driving. I hate commuting and I have a really long commute. It’s such a time suck.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
We hosted Christmas at our house and my family was there, it was super nice.
21. Did you fall in love in 2011?
Still very much in love with Ryan and my family, gush gush!
22. What was your favorite TV program?
Justified and Southland, two awesome dramas, both very intense and addicting. I no longer watch No Reservations – got really bored with it.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I don’t HATE anybody but there are definitely people I never want to deal with again.
24. What was the best book you read?
Ha ha ha, reading. Who has time for that!? I did manage to review several dry architectural textbooks in preparation for my exams and tackled a few “your baby’s first year” kind of books. The BEST book I read (it was technically over my New Year’s break but I am counting it for 2011) was Bossypants by Tina Fey. I have never laughed so much reading anything. Love that lady!
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Ke$ha – you can totally make fun of me for that but I just love her too, I set my own Ke$ha Pandora station and everything. If I were a 24 year old rock star I’d want to be just like her, I think it has something to do with all of the glitter.
26. What did you want and get?
Job stability for myself and Ryan. I wanted more children and BAM! Surprise baby.
27. What did you want and not get?
A new car. New TV and media center. See “surprise baby.”
28. What was your favorite film of 2011?
Twilight – you can totally make fun of me for that too. I happened to see the first movie on TV one weekend and before you know it I had borrowed the other movies and made my sister and Ryan watch ALL of them with me over Thanksgiving weekend.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 33, it was a Tuesday. My office took me out to lunch to one of my favorite restaurants (Nikko Nikko’s Greek-American Café.) I had a great evening at home with Ryan and Will, it was really nice but I totally wish I could have had a margarita! This year I want to get a sitter and go to a cocktail lounge for fancy grown-up drinks J
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Of course a giant pile of money couldn’t have hurt. Or three extra weeks of vacation. Or better yet – a luxury trip to Hawaii that paid ME to travel, ha!
But really, if we had gotten a maid service, THAT would have been awesome. We had a service come in before Will’s baptism and I have been dreaming about it ever since.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2011?
Ugh. The ever changing body of a post-pregnant to back-to-normal to pregnant-again body is tough. We had a terribly hot year as well which makes for difficult clothing choices when I have 2 hour long job site meetings outside in un-air conditioned partially built houses. I am certain I looked like crap the entire year. I didn’t even buy any new shoes. I bought several “transition” outfits that I wore for too long before donating. All in all it was a big failure. I will do better in 2012. I have enlisted my sister to help me with accessories.
32. What kept you sane?
Being lazy on Saturday mornings. Enjoying an extra-large cup of coffee with Ryan and playing with Will. Not having to get out of pjs until 11am. I love Saturday mornings. I could have used that time to be “productive” but I REALLY needed that time to relax and enjoy life.
33. What political issue stirred you the most?
Oh geez…there are so many. I like to think that I am relatively current on politics and on the issues of the day - not just the annoying talking points that get batted back and forth between pundits. Even though the Citizens United ruling happened in 2010, that still gets me riled up. Corporations are NOT people! and for the record – Pizza is NOT a vegetable!
34. Who did you miss?
I miss being able to hang out with friends. Most of my friends live outside of Houston which makes it hard to get together.
35. Who was the best new person you met?
Do my friends’ babies count? Of course they do!
36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
ALWAYS read Will the book he is waving in front of you. Even if you’ve just read it to him three times already. Even if you’re late for work. Some day he won’t be able to fit in your lap and he won’t want you to read stuff to him anymore.
37. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
The first few lines of Madonna’s song “Music”
“Hey Mr. DJ put a record on,
I wanna dance with my baby.And when the music starts.I never wanna stop,
it's gonna drive me crazy.” I sing it to Will all the time!