It's A New Year

Happy 2012!!!

I shamelessly stole this verbatim from a fellow blogger, Mary (of this blog).  Before I write my more personal commentary on the new year (never fear... it's in the works!) I thought this was a wonderful tradition to start.  Every year Mary fills out this same survey to remember key dates, memories, and events that have taken place.  I thought, "How fun it must be to go back and read these from years before!"  And I stole it.  Clearly, starting out the New Year on a note of pure originality . . .

I hope I remember to do it in 2013.   (Thanks, Mary! -- if you read this...)


1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
Planned a wedding, said "I Do," rented a house, sent a Holiday Card out.

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't make any last year.  I probably won't make or keep any this year.  However, here are some goals I have...

1. Buy local, Cook more, Eat better.
2. Save money instead of Spending money.
3.  Study a foreign language.
4. Watch less TV/movies and Read more books.
5. Regain active lifestyle and be dedicated about strength training.
6. Journal more.
7. Plan honeymoon trip to Greece and actually Go.
8. Finish furnishing our guest room and then keep it consistently full of guests!
9. Try new things instead of falling into habits.
10. Laugh more, Stay positive, Stop calling myself "old."


3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.  But my sister is pregnant with the first grand-baby in our family!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thankfully.

5. What countries did you visit?
Sadly, none.  But we had such an awesome trip to South Africa in 2010, that will tide us over until Greece.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
Financial security. Jobs we love. More good friends in Austin.

7. What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
March 20 -- our wedding anniversary.


8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Gettin' Married!

9. What was your biggest failure?
I don't believe in "failure" . . .  I made a lot of mistakes, namely: living beyond our means, worrying about stupid things, not compromising when I should.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Not really! Yay us!


11. What was the best thing you bought?
$40 butcher block for our kitchen. A great piece at an unbeatable price.  And we use it every day.


12. Whose behavior merited celebration? 
Mr. Dog.  He has been such a good dog this year, through many stressful times and lots of big changes.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Members of my extended family around the time of our wedding.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Living in a house at $1500 a month while unemployed.  That will do it.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My internship with CLINK Events.  Starting life in Austin. Marriage (broken record...).

16. What song will always remind you of 2011? 
"Home" by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
I. happier or sadder? 
Happier, mostly because I'm less stressed out!

II. thinner or fatter? 
About the same, but fatter than I should be.

III. richer or poorer? 
Perhaps poorer in nearby friends, but richer in other things.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Worked out, journaled, studied, completed projects.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Felt sorry for myself, worried, watched TV/Netflix, argued with my husband.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
With family in New Braunfels and Gonzales.  With Susanna and Nathan getting married and Margaret announcing "it's a boy," it was an eventful one.  Karen and Catherine came and we had a wonderful visit.  I love that we are all still close cousins.

21. Who had the biggest influence on your life in 2011?
Eeek.  Probably Danielle Goates (of this blog).

22. Did you fall in love in 2011?
No... Just sealed the deal.

23. How many one-night stands?
None.

24. What was your favorite TV program?
Friday Night Lights.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Michelle Bachmann?

26. What was the best book you read?
The Help by Kathryn Stockett.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Civil Wars.

28. What did you want and get?
A home to make our own. And a yard for Oscar.

29. What did you want and not get?
A really good job, money into savings, a decision about graduate school, 20 lbs lighter.

30. Best movies this year?
The King's Speech.  Technically released December 2010, but close enough... I saw it in 2011.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I have RACKED my brain and still am not positive what I did for my 26th birthday.  I'm pretty sure Tim took me to the Gristmill for dinner and then to see Water for Elephants, which was mediocre.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Deciding on a career.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
JCREW (simple, classy, sophisticated) with a hint of Western.

34. What kept you sane?
Pinterest.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I am fascinated by very few celebrities, but The Royal Family, particularly Kate Middleton, receives a lot of my attention.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Ramping up to Election year... Ron Paul.  I'm more excited about him as a presidential candidate than I have been about any other in my lifetime.  Also, the Royal Wedding.

37. Who did you miss?
Anne Winters, DC friends, Sooz and Nate in Santa Fe, and every other friend who lives just out of reach of "daily friendship" status.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Chelsea Altgelt - the best Bride ever!

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011:
Marriage is work, but rewarding.  Try to be happy with what you have, rather than focused on what you don't, and you'll be more content in the long run.  Even if you're not "doing anything" with your life -- at least enjoy what you are doing.  Details are important, but not the most important thing.  Simple is almost always better, less is usually more.

40.  One word or sentence to describe how you feel about 2011: Grown-up.