2010 in Review
Dec. 31st, 2010 10:24 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kimana517I've been working on my 30 Interesting Things About Me for like a week now, and I still only have 8 (I blame being easily distracted but mostly I blame Elijah), so let's take a break from that because this one's time-sensitive:
2010 IN REVIEW
1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
Became a mom, went to Africa, ate Ethiopian food, went to California, um... worked at a concert to help children get sponsored, watched someone become a US citizen, hosted Pie Day, um... did promo modeling, went to Memphis, painted my own pottery, drank tea and liked it, had Christmas with a kid... I don't think that's it but I can't think of anything else right now.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I mentioned last year that some people had C25K as their resolutions but we started in November. Well, I did in fact complete C25K in March, I think it was. And my always resolution is to spend more time in the Bible, and I actually did that well this year. Yay!
3. Did anyone close to you have kids?
Yeah - ME! Haha. And several others I know adopted kids or gave birth this year.
4. Did anyone close to you get married?
Not anyone super-close, but some friends and family did get married.
5. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thankfully!
6. Did you travel?
To San Diego, Michigan, Memphis, Ethiopia, and Connecticut.
7. Did you move anywhere?
Nope! Which is a very good thing since I love it here.
8. What was the best month?
Either August or November. August was great because we finally met Elijah and got to be his parents, not to mention getting to go to Ethiopia, but honestly most of that month was spent stressed out because we didn't know when we were going to get him and then we knew and had such short notice. November was good because we were all in a happy routine by then and sometime in there Lijah's tantrums mostly stopped. Plus, we had Pie Day, Thanksgiving, and his court date to become a US citizen.
9. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
Last year I said: No house problems for once. That would be nice. So much for that. But I'll say it again! Haha. I'd also like to have a new kitchen (including a dishwasher - *daydreams*).
10. What date(s) from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
March 23 - When we first saw Elijah's face. August 20 - When we first met Elijah. August 27 - When we came home as a family of 3. November 29 - When he became a US citizen. Yeah, all the really standout stuff this year was about Elijah.
11. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Not killing Lijah during some of his biggest and stupidest tantrums. Haha. No, seriously, I think I've been a good mom most of the time. And I no longer think longingly about our life pre-kid, so that's something.
12. What was your biggest failure?
I still have no close friends locally, although not for lack of trying. I invite people to come over, shop, go out to eat, and so much more, but very few times did anyone actually come. And sometimes I even gave them a lot of notice. But no. So I guess it's not really a failure because I did what I could. I also definitely had some bad moments as a mom, where I lost my patience too quickly.
13. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Just minor things - colds, stomach issues, etc.
14. What was the best thing you bought?
Adopting a kid is not buying a kid, but I think it kinda fits in this category anyway. Other than that, our 32" LCD TV. I still find myself amazed at its clarity.
15. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Isaac's, as always, for being such a wonderful husband. Several other friends' for various reasons. Lijah's, for having his world change in every way possible and not curling up into a ball and losing it.
16. Whose behavior made you appalled and/or depressed?
Obama's. Congress's. The usual.
17. Where did most of your money go?
My usual answer is the mortgage. This year the mortgage is a distant second to the adoption.
18. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The few modeling gigs I did have, finishing our adoption dossier, the trip to San Diego with Mel, Esther, and my mom, getting Elijah's referral, accepting Elijah's referral, my birthday, Melody's visit, the SIPsters weekend in TN, going to Ethiopia, meeting Elijah, taking custody of Elijah, coming home with Elijah, going to CT, Pie Day, Melody getting engaged, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and I think that's all.
19. What song will always remind you of 2009?
"Thinkin' Bout Something" by Hanson
20. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier - but that's always my answer. I love my life.
ii. thinner or fatter? The same.
iii. richer or poorer? Probably the same. We made more money but spent a heck of a lot more on getting the kiddo home.
21. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Working on getting closer to God and some of my friends.
22. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Wasting time on the computer.
23. How will you be spending New Year's Eve/Day?
Eve: home, work, then party at Aaron & Angela's. Day: thrift store half-price sale, Gator Bowl.
24. What was an unexpected surprise?
I say it every year: all surprises are unexpected. But other than that, probably how easy our transition was with Elijah.
26. What was the best concert you've been to this year?
I only went to two, so out of them it'd definitely be Winter Jam - the one with Third Day, Newsboys, Tenth Avenue North, and Fireflight.
27. What were your favorite TV programs?
Supernatural, Lost, Medium, Modern Family, Psych, Castle, Big Bang Theory, Eureka, Leverage, Law & Order, and more.
28. Do you dislike anyone now that you didn't dislike this time last year?
Probably, although not that I can think of specifically.
29. What was the best book you read?
I reread the Harry Potter series, and I think that counts.
30. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I didn't have very many musical discoveries, so we'll put this one as JJ Heller. Even though I had heard some of her music before, I never really gave her a listen.
31. What did you want and get?
To have an LJ Girls' Weekend with several friends in attendance (we had 8), to bring Elijah home... basically everything from question #18.
32. What did you want and not get?
The Lions to have a winning season, a year with no expensive house issues, more modeling jobs, Isaac to not be so busy when it's not tax season, to visit many of you, to have more people visit us, and to have close local friends.
33. What was your favorite film of this year?
Inception.
34. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
The day before it, but in celebration of it, we had donuts for breakfast, lunch in St. Augustine with my mom at one of my favorite restaurants, then went to the beach, then got gelato. The day of, we went to church and I don't remember what else. I turned 27.
35. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Someone giving us all the money we need for the adoption, no house problems, closer friends.
36. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Same as always but slightly more trendy.
37. What kept you sane?
As always - God's grace & forgiveness, and Isaac being the most amazing husband ever. Also, those of you on LJ who are real, true friends despite being so far away. It's comforting to know you're here when I need you.
38. What political issue stirred you the most?
Ugh. Probably Obamacare, but really politics these days stir me incessantly because I disagree with so much of the current administration's policies.
39. Who did you miss?
Everyone I love who's not here.
2010 IN REVIEW
1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
Became a mom, went to Africa, ate Ethiopian food, went to California, um... worked at a concert to help children get sponsored, watched someone become a US citizen, hosted Pie Day, um... did promo modeling, went to Memphis, painted my own pottery, drank tea and liked it, had Christmas with a kid... I don't think that's it but I can't think of anything else right now.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I mentioned last year that some people had C25K as their resolutions but we started in November. Well, I did in fact complete C25K in March, I think it was. And my always resolution is to spend more time in the Bible, and I actually did that well this year. Yay!
3. Did anyone close to you have kids?
Yeah - ME! Haha. And several others I know adopted kids or gave birth this year.
4. Did anyone close to you get married?
Not anyone super-close, but some friends and family did get married.
5. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thankfully!
6. Did you travel?
To San Diego, Michigan, Memphis, Ethiopia, and Connecticut.
7. Did you move anywhere?
Nope! Which is a very good thing since I love it here.
8. What was the best month?
Either August or November. August was great because we finally met Elijah and got to be his parents, not to mention getting to go to Ethiopia, but honestly most of that month was spent stressed out because we didn't know when we were going to get him and then we knew and had such short notice. November was good because we were all in a happy routine by then and sometime in there Lijah's tantrums mostly stopped. Plus, we had Pie Day, Thanksgiving, and his court date to become a US citizen.
9. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
Last year I said: No house problems for once. That would be nice. So much for that. But I'll say it again! Haha. I'd also like to have a new kitchen (including a dishwasher - *daydreams*).
10. What date(s) from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
March 23 - When we first saw Elijah's face. August 20 - When we first met Elijah. August 27 - When we came home as a family of 3. November 29 - When he became a US citizen. Yeah, all the really standout stuff this year was about Elijah.
11. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Not killing Lijah during some of his biggest and stupidest tantrums. Haha. No, seriously, I think I've been a good mom most of the time. And I no longer think longingly about our life pre-kid, so that's something.
12. What was your biggest failure?
I still have no close friends locally, although not for lack of trying. I invite people to come over, shop, go out to eat, and so much more, but very few times did anyone actually come. And sometimes I even gave them a lot of notice. But no. So I guess it's not really a failure because I did what I could. I also definitely had some bad moments as a mom, where I lost my patience too quickly.
13. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Just minor things - colds, stomach issues, etc.
14. What was the best thing you bought?
Adopting a kid is not buying a kid, but I think it kinda fits in this category anyway. Other than that, our 32" LCD TV. I still find myself amazed at its clarity.
15. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Isaac's, as always, for being such a wonderful husband. Several other friends' for various reasons. Lijah's, for having his world change in every way possible and not curling up into a ball and losing it.
16. Whose behavior made you appalled and/or depressed?
Obama's. Congress's. The usual.
17. Where did most of your money go?
My usual answer is the mortgage. This year the mortgage is a distant second to the adoption.
18. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The few modeling gigs I did have, finishing our adoption dossier, the trip to San Diego with Mel, Esther, and my mom, getting Elijah's referral, accepting Elijah's referral, my birthday, Melody's visit, the SIPsters weekend in TN, going to Ethiopia, meeting Elijah, taking custody of Elijah, coming home with Elijah, going to CT, Pie Day, Melody getting engaged, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and I think that's all.
19. What song will always remind you of 2009?
"Thinkin' Bout Something" by Hanson
20. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier - but that's always my answer. I love my life.
ii. thinner or fatter? The same.
iii. richer or poorer? Probably the same. We made more money but spent a heck of a lot more on getting the kiddo home.
21. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Working on getting closer to God and some of my friends.
22. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Wasting time on the computer.
23. How will you be spending New Year's Eve/Day?
Eve: home, work, then party at Aaron & Angela's. Day: thrift store half-price sale, Gator Bowl.
24. What was an unexpected surprise?
I say it every year: all surprises are unexpected. But other than that, probably how easy our transition was with Elijah.
26. What was the best concert you've been to this year?
I only went to two, so out of them it'd definitely be Winter Jam - the one with Third Day, Newsboys, Tenth Avenue North, and Fireflight.
27. What were your favorite TV programs?
Supernatural, Lost, Medium, Modern Family, Psych, Castle, Big Bang Theory, Eureka, Leverage, Law & Order, and more.
28. Do you dislike anyone now that you didn't dislike this time last year?
Probably, although not that I can think of specifically.
29. What was the best book you read?
I reread the Harry Potter series, and I think that counts.
30. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I didn't have very many musical discoveries, so we'll put this one as JJ Heller. Even though I had heard some of her music before, I never really gave her a listen.
31. What did you want and get?
To have an LJ Girls' Weekend with several friends in attendance (we had 8), to bring Elijah home... basically everything from question #18.
32. What did you want and not get?
The Lions to have a winning season, a year with no expensive house issues, more modeling jobs, Isaac to not be so busy when it's not tax season, to visit many of you, to have more people visit us, and to have close local friends.
33. What was your favorite film of this year?
Inception.
34. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
The day before it, but in celebration of it, we had donuts for breakfast, lunch in St. Augustine with my mom at one of my favorite restaurants, then went to the beach, then got gelato. The day of, we went to church and I don't remember what else. I turned 27.
35. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Someone giving us all the money we need for the adoption, no house problems, closer friends.
36. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Same as always but slightly more trendy.
37. What kept you sane?
As always - God's grace & forgiveness, and Isaac being the most amazing husband ever. Also, those of you on LJ who are real, true friends despite being so far away. It's comforting to know you're here when I need you.
38. What political issue stirred you the most?
Ugh. Probably Obamacare, but really politics these days stir me incessantly because I disagree with so much of the current administration's policies.
39. Who did you miss?
Everyone I love who's not here.
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no subject
Date: 2010-12-31 04:20 pm (UTC)Have to say Obama really did appall me in a lot of ways this year, too. *sigh*
Happy New year to the three of you! :)
no subject
Date: 2010-12-31 04:28 pm (UTC)"Thinkin' 'Bout Somethin'" has grown on me a lot. :)
no subject
Date: 2010-12-31 06:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-12-31 09:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-01 04:56 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-01 11:35 pm (UTC)