Despite my best intentions of doing this every January, I last did this kind of yearly update in 2009. What can I say–I’ve been busy.
1. What did you do in 2013 that you’d never done before?
Joined a gym and went regularly (more than 100 times in about nine months!). Created a will. Trended on Twitter.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn’t make any last year, but this year I feel pretty good that I will be able to keep them. In no particular order of importance in 2014 I want to: have a better skin care routine (my skin is, ahem, showing signs of fine lines and wrinkles); find the perfect share of red lipstick and wear it more often; be able to buy a house in 2015.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
A few acquaintances, whose babies I got to snuggle. But I’m mostly older than the baby-making cohort, which is largely a good thing.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thank goodness.
5. What countries did you visit?
Spain, for Convergence EMEA.
6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?
In 2009 I said, “Patience. Courage. An emergency fund. Unchewed fingernails.” While I am still working on patience, in 2014 I’d like to have a down payment for a house and dewier skin.
7. What dates from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
A few special moments in time: Convergence in New Orleans, which was one of the first times that I felt like I was really rocking it at work. Taking Kate to the hospital after she broke her lip with a hammer.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Doing a good job at work. I felt like I really hit my stride at my job this year and I’m only looking up.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I’m still not patient enough with my kids but I would add that I need to work on being more present than patient. Too often I get distracted from giving them my full attention, and soon they won’t be so patient with me.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Fibromyalgia related aches and pains. Red wine related aches and pains. The former (happily? unhappily?) occurring much more frequently than the latter.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
A whole bunch of new clothes from ThredUp. And some cute new shoes: green pumps.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My kids.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
My kids.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Rent (as much as a mortgage, ugh). Food. Student loan payments. 401K contributions. And paying off multiple bills!
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Work. Did I mention that I love my job?
16. What song will always remind you of 2013?
Kate singing Paparazzi.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier.
b) thinner or fatter? Thinner! Weight Watchers rocks.
c) richer or poorer? Richer, thanks to the job, and also less poor, thanks to paying off debt. We still have boatloads, but I also have a plan.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Playing with my kids. More sewing and crafting. More going out with friends.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Yelling. Also, this will sound strange, but reading; I spent a lot of time using reading as a crutch and a way to not do something else.
20. How did you spend Christmas? (And I’ll add Hanukkah).
With my kids and my husband and my mother. Opening presents, watching good TV and eating.
21. Did you fall in love in 2013?
Just with Eddy, as ever. As I told him on our 12th (!) wedding anniversary, I make the choice to be married to him every day, and he’s so worth it.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
Do I need to say it? West Wing. But we also watched Rome and Friday Night Lights.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Nope.
24. What was the best book you read?
Despite reading a lot of books this year, there isn’t any one that stands out. Lots of my favorite authors published new books and thanks to Smart Bitches Trashy Books I discovered some new favorites.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Ummm, did I mention that I’m not really into music?
26. What did you want and get?
New clothes, thanks to a skinnier body.
27. What did you want and not get?
To win the lottery.
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
I didn’t see many movies this year, but I really liked American Hustle. It’s also the most recent movie I saw, which is probably why I’m mentioning it here.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 39 and worked. Google wished me Happy Birthday and I was reminded why I tolerate Facebook (besides needing to do so for work).
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More sleep. And less debt.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?
Making pyjamas professional.
32. What kept you sane?
The gym. Red wine. My kids (without whom I’d probably be saner). A few dear friends.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
That would have required paying attention to pop culture.
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Healthcare. Student loan debt.
35. Who did you miss?
My dear friends in France, some of whom I luckily got to see in November in Barcelona!
36. Who was the best new person you met?
I miss having close friends here too, but I’ve made a few friends who I think have potential!
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.
Being present matters.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Again, not so much into the music. Again, to my husband’s eternal dismay.
And Now We Are Five 