Year in Review

A little year in review is always a good way to look back and help us to look forward to all that is to come.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before? Got a full time job … and then a second part-time one! Walked across the green. Served as a bridesmaid. Conducted a choir of people I had never met before in a town far away from home.

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I had two resolutions. One was to stay out of the hospital. I didn’t have any surgery, so that was good, but I did break my elbow, which landed me in the ER for an afternoon. My other resolution was to get a job, which I did, twofold.

3. Lose anyone this year? Not in a death kind of way, no.

4. Where did you go that you haven't been before?
On a unpaved road journey through back-country Michigan led by Sean Connery and to the bishop’s office for “a chat”.

5. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory?
Two stand out for different reasons: April 16 and September 13.

6. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Graduation from a program I truly despised, and yet I find myself using it nearly every day of my life.

7. What was your biggest failure? Letting go.

8. Hardest decision I made: Where to live based on what job offer I accepted.

9. Best decision I made: Accepting the job offer I did.

10. Compared to this time last year, how did you think the year went? Well. Everyone who is closest to me is healthy and employed so far, and I am the same.

11. What do you wish you'd done more of? Spent time with those I care about.

12. What do you wish you'd done less of? Worried.

13. Did you fall in love in 2008? Sadly, no…

14. What was your favourite TV program? More of the same from previous years: reality TV including The Amazing Race and The Mole were my favourites. I liked debt and housing shows too. The best new show: Less Than Kind.

15. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? Hate is a rather strong word. I do get angry with people who are too stupid to listen or understand or see reality sometimes, but I wouldn't say I "hate" anyone. I just get very angry and want to slap people sometimes -- some people just bring out the inner angry streak in me.

16. Mistake I won't make again next year: Agreeing to be a bridesmaid for anybody!

17. Personal change I am proudest of: My new apartment with a real bedroom and a kitchen I cannot touch from my bed.

18. Who did you miss? A friend who moved south to teach.

19. Who was the best new person(s) you met? A.P. and N.M. in BEd.

20. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008: Trust your instincts; your gut is frequently right more often than your head.

21. Most difficult situation I resolved: I’m not sure it is the most difficult, or even that it is fully resolved, but over the second half of the year I have been resolving a difficult work relationship with a superior which seems to be working out a lot better now. At least we’re finally on speaking terms.

22. Strangest moment of the year: There were a few, but Half Naked Priest’s striptease and blogging from the Pope’s bed come to mind immediately. Then there was my uncle who told me I looked "hot"...

23. Insight of the year: I shop way too much when on vacation!

24. Top News Stories That Caught My Eye This Year: The recession. The government coalition. The US Election. The attacks in Mumbai. The Beijing Olympics.

25. New Year's Resolutions for 2009: Find a hobby and get a library card. My theory is that if I keep my resolutions practical and simple, I’m more likely to succeed. Why add more stress?