2009 In Review

I have a major (for me) series of blog posts in the works, which need time for research and writing. Since I am seriously lacking in time, you'll just have to make do with this Q&A about the year that I stole from the Common Room.

1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?

Become a mother. That covers a whole slew of firsts, I think. :-)

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I haven't made New Year's resolutions in a long time.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth or get pregnant?

Let's see... ME, my whole childbirth class, and three friends from church (one born the same day as Pearl).

4. Did anyone close to you get married?

No

5. Did anyone close to you die?

Yes, a friend from high school. Actually, he was my first "date" (a group date at a church friend's house). He died of lung cancer (non-smoker) at 27.

6. Travel?

We went to the mountains twice. And over Thanksgiving we visited both of my grandmothers.

7. Did you move anywhere?

No.

8. What was the best month?

June, of course. But I was too tired and busy to really enjoy it, I think. :-)

9. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

Is this a typo? In 2010 I'd like to have more discipline with keeping a reasonably clean house.

10. What date(s) from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

June 3, of course. Also September 11 (Pearl's 100 day celebration).

11. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Natural childbirth, breastfeeding, and (the hardest IMO) learning to live pleasantly on next-to-no sleep.

12. What was your biggest failure?

My messy house. Also being so forgetful. Several bills were overdue this year that we had money to pay, but that I had completely forgotten existed.

13. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I had a couple of colds, super mild gestational diabetes, and some asthma issues late in pregnancy.

14. What was the best thing you bought?

Most of our new-to-us items this year were given to us.

15. Whose behavior merited celebration?

JunkMale, for being a wonderful father and patient husband.

16. Whose behavior made you appalled and/or depressed?

I can't think of anyone right now

17. Where did most of your money go?

House, food, utilities.

18. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

My baby :-)

19. What song will always remind you of 2009?

The Korean lullaby about the spotted calf that my Father-in-Law (and now JunkMale) sang to Pearl to put her to sleep (송아지).

20. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder?
ii. richer or poorer?

i. Happier, by far.

ii. Richer, I think.


21. What do you wish you'd done more of?

Reading, sleeping, cleaning, cooking

22. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Wasting time on the internet.

23. How will you be spending New Year's Eve/Day?

I'm going to bed early on New Year's Eve. On New Year's Day, my sister-in-law is flying in town for the weekend. It's also her birthday! We're going to eat seaweed soup for her birthday (Korean tradition similar to birthday cake, except much healthier), and also eat rice cake soup (Korean traditional New Year's food). Then we're going to dress up in traditional Korean clothing and take family pictures. The younger generation will bow to the elders.

24. What was an unexpected surprise?

SIL coming to visit - in June and again this weekend. :-)

25. Did you fall in love in 2009?

Does Pearl count?

26. What was the best concert you've been to this year?

I didn't go to any

27. What was your favorite TV program?

I don't watch much TV. Does GT football count?

28. Do you dislike anyone now that you didn't dislike this time last year?

No.

29. What was the best book you read?

That's a tough question. I'm going to say Murder on the Orient Express, because it was the first Christie mystery I read. I am now reading through all the Poirot and Miss Marple novels as fast as I can. :-)

30. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Er, I don't know.

31. What did you want and get?

A baby. I have seriously wanted to be a mom for at least the last five years. The last two years it had become more of an obsession, really. And now I have my precious Pearl. :-)

32. What did you want and not get?

A lot of silly, pointless things. And a dress I can nurse in. I did really want that.

33. What was your favorite film of this year?

Harry Potter 6... being one of, what? Two movies I saw this year?

34. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I can't remember what we did. I assume we went out to eat with my parents, because that's what we always do. I think we went to Sweet Tomato and had a delicious meal and lots of good family time. I was 27.

35. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

I can't think of anything. Maybe if I'd been the perfect mom/wife. But that will never happen. My life is very good.

36. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

Pajamas. :-)

37. What kept you sane?

Hot showers while someone else watched the baby.

38. What political issue stirred you the most?

Spending, spending, spending. Grrr. I did not approve of this debt I owe.

39. Who did you miss?

My SIL, who gets to come see us whenever she can but still not often enough. And especially my sister, who needs to move next door or at least close enough for weekend trips every now and then. 11 hours is too far away for a sister. :-(

40. Random Memories from 2009?

Seemingly living in doctor's offices, seeing family much more often than in previous years (except of course for my sister and SIL), lots of eating out, and going on walks with JunkMale.